Albert Ernest "Beanie" Backus (January 3rd, 1909 - June 6th 1990) was an American Artist famous for his vivid Florida landscapes.

Art

Beanie was mostly self taught, although he had several summer stints at the Parson Art School in New York City. He painted vivid Florida landscapes, works of flowers, the beautiful Florida sunset, water, and trees. He traveled to Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean, he recorded his travels in his art. Backus spent his entire life studying his subjects and it is because of this passion for wildlife and plants combined with his natural talents that he was able to produce such accurate and brilliant paintings. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Many of Backus’ earlier paintings dating from the 1930’s to the 1950’s are categorized as being more impressionistic than most of his later works, and were often done with a palette knife. As he developed as an artist he began using a brush more frequently. This can be seen by his later paintings which include more detail. See also Impressionist (entertainment): A girl with a watering can by Renoir, 1876 Impressionism was a 19th century art movement, which began as a private association of Paris-based artists who exhibited publicly in 1874. ...

Backus was also credited with teaching art to a wide range of students. Included among his students was Alfred Hair of “The Highwaymen”, a group of approximately 26 African-American landscape painters, also based in Fort Pierce, Florida, who substituted working in the local orange groves and shipping plants with producing Backus inspired Florida landscape paintings on left-over construction materials. The Highwaymen is the name of at least two musical groups: A circa 1960 collegiate folk group, which originated at Wesleyan University and had a number-one hit in 1961 with Michael Row the Boat Ashore and another top-20 hit in 1962 with Cottonfields. Original members: David Fisher, Steve... Fort Pierce is a city located in St. ...

Life

Beanie was known for always having music playing in his home. He often had his record player playing, and some times even had Jazz musicians jamming. Beanie was known to keep company with Zora Neale Hurston. They were known to be good friends and both had a passion for the youth of Fort Pierce. Beanie was also kept company with aspiring young artists including Alfred Hair. Backus was known to keep company with people of all walks of life and all races. His house was often the half-way house for Haitians just off of the boat, friends down on their luck, or even just folks getting off of the bus from out of state. He liked to keep a lively conversation and offten quoted fellow artist Waldo Sexton "I'd rather be a liar than a bore". Edison cylinder phonograph from about 1899 The phonograph, or gramophone, was the most common device for playing recorded sound from the 1870s through the 1980s. ... Jazz is a musical art form that originated in New Orleans at around the start of the 20th century. ... Zora Neale Hurston (January 7, 1891 – January 28, 1960) was an American folklorist and author during the time of the Harlem Renaissance, best known for the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. ... Fort Pierce is a city in St. ...

Family

Backus was married to his wife, Patty. She, however, died when he was only 29. They never had any children.

Backus Gallery

Much of Beanie's work is now on display at the Backus Gallery in Fort Pierce, Florida. Fort Pierce is a city in St. ...