Largely a self-taught artist, Fort Pierce, Florida native Albert Ernest Backus was well-regarded for his vivid Florida landscapes.  From the 1930s to the 1950s, his work was considered impressionistic in style and created by using a palette knife instead of a brush.  His later works revealed a more representational style of painting.

Due to Backus's subject matter and style of painting, he is often mistaken as being a part of the Highwaymen movement.  Alfred Hair (of the Highwaymen) did in fact take formal instruction from Backus, and Backus is said to have mentored the group.  However, A.E. Backus was an established artist of note prior to the formation of the Highwaymen.

Backus helped found the Gallery of Fort Pierce, which was later renamed the Backus Gallery & Museum subsequent to the artist's death.  www.backusgallery.com