Style and Painting Techniques of A.E. Backus

Jackie painting during the demonstration

My painting demonstration at the Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala, Florida, was great fun for me. We had a delightful group who was full of enthusiasm and questions.

The format of my demonstrations is always relaxed and informal. People may move chairs around, making sure no one else's view is blocked, stand, ask questions and make comments. This always generates a lively discussion and more interaction.

Backus was the focal point of the day, not only his painting techniques but the kind and gentle man himself. I was able to clear up two questions everyone asks, how he got the name Bean and his relationship with the group of painters now called the Highwaymen. Backus is a favorite topic of mine so the 3 hours went by fast...you just can't beat painting and talking about what is near and dear to your heart.

Koreen, Education Director at the Appleton, was a gracious host. The facility is wonderful with great lighting for painting in the classroom and beverages were provided.

If you are interested in having me speak about Backus or give a demonstration, please get in touch. I am always ready and willing to enlighten people about my teacher, friend and mentor, A.E. "Bean" Backus.

Appleton Museum of Art-Backus Preview

Jackie, Dr. & Mrs. John Lofgren

The Reception for the Director's Circle to preview the A.E. Backus Exhibition went very well. I worked all week on my presentation and managed to pare Bean's life down to about half an hour. I said everything I wanted to say about his life without getting into to much detail but still creating a picture of the outstanding man that he was.

I have been asked to share a copy of my talk with the Docents at the Museum so they will be better informed about Bean's life. So I plan to make that available to them. There is such interest in these personal stories about his studio I may add a blog site devoted just to that. I will let you know when I get that up and running. Or add a comment here with your request to be notified when I post it.

Bean influenced a great number of artists as well as non artists, challenging all he met to follow their own personal dreams and goals. He taught us to share what we have, whether that might be information or money; to accept people for who they are not what they have become; and not to judge anyone by the color of their skin but the works they do.

He was asked once how he would like to be remembered and he said:
"I would rather be remembered as a humanitarian than the greatest artist in the world".

Studio Open House

Linda Blondheim is a wonderful artist whose blog I read regularly (address listed below). Last week she issued an open invitation for all to visit her Studio Open House, Saturday, Feb. 7. I am always interested in seeing other artists studios so I scooped up my friend and great equine artist Sharon Crute (blog address also listed below) and off we went.

Linda had given me directions and I had taken my GPS along just in case. We didn't do too badly considering I got off I-75 at the wrong exit. Oh well, the GPS took us right there in spite of my goof.

The studio is in North East Gainesville in a pastoral setting..with cows and everything! You can hear the wind in the trees instead of cars!! Perfect place for an artist's studio. Now I understand where Linda got her inspiration for her series of yard paintings...she just steps right out her front door.

Jackie, Linda and Sharon

The art work was so wonderful I had to buy a little painting for my personal collection. The chili, with ALL the trimmings was hot and tasty and the brownies to die for. Sharon and I hated to leave the studio filled with guests all talking art and buying art! But, we had been there a couple of hours and needed to make room for new arrivals.

To ease our pain we stopped by the Krispy Kreme Donut Shop in Gainesville on the way home!

It was a YUMMIE day.

The Economoy

Doom and Gloom! Newspapers, television, radio ---all are telling us what is wrong with America. It is enough to weaken the knees of the strongest of us.

I am not a "polyanna" but an optimist. America is not on it's last leg, we are just limping a bit. Money is still out there. Maybe not as much as before, but still in the market place. Things are getting better--we have always rebounded.

To quote Jack White as written in his column in Art Calendar Magazine, Jan. 2009, "...artists have a positive attitude and the ability to weather adversity. They don't let a small glitch slow them down. Being creative for a living has insultated them from listening to the outstide static. They know how to focus on controlling what they can do..." He goes on to say "...It's all about attitude. When an artist goes to a show down in the dumps, you can bet your best boots that artist bombs. But if you go expecting to do well, you'll do great. It is that simple."

We create our art because we love the process. We also appreciate getting paid for our efforts. So, I for one, intend to keep on keeping on. I plan to work harder on my marketing, getting in touch with past collectors and building relationships with new collectors. There is much to be done in and out of the studio.

White wrote "...many of you will give up making art. Some of you won't be able to adjust your attitude to take on the challenges of the coming year. But a few of you will thrive. Those who can will be way ahead in the race when the economy recovers. This is America and the economy will recover. America may get her nose bloodied, but she stays in the fight. I implore you to join me and do the same".

Feb. Mini Painting and Backus Exhibition

February's Mini Painting 2"x3" Great Blue Heron

MINI PAINTING AUCTION: Thanks to everyone who sent in bids. The first mini painting has been sold. Posting a mini painting every Wednesday is a bit too much. So, a new one will be posted the First Wednesday of each month. This little painting is oil on canvas mounted on gator board. I got such a big response starting the bids at 25 cents last time lets start the bidding at 99 cents. Remember this includes shipping. Email your bid to me (schindehette@embarqmail.com) and put auction in the subject line.

Jackie and Beanie

This is me and Bean on his 80th birthday in 1986. He was still using his record player. The package he is holding is a Count Basie record I gave him for the occasion. He was an avid jazz fan.

Some days he would really crank up the sound. We would paint and kind-of dance around the studio, swaying to the music. But sometimes, he would actually do an easy jitter bug (as he called it) with me. As you see, I am still waxing poetic and very nostalgic about those days.

Now, back to the present. Dr. Lofgren, Appleton Museum of Art Director, visited my home and studio yesterday. A charming young man named David, sorry I did not get his last name, came along too. Dr. Lofgren said he was the talker and David was the guy who really worked. True enough, Dr. Lofgren talked and David took notes.

Dr. Lofgren has some wonderful ideas for the Appleton. His enthusiasm is infectious and his love for the arts and his job is obvious. I will keep you informed as these ideas materialize.

Web Site is Fixed!

Yea!! My web site http://www.floridalandscapes.com/ is up and running again. After studying the How To Build It book for my web site program I gave up, called for techie help and VOILA she fixed it in a couple of minutes from her end of the line.

So, now I have decided to add building a new site to my long list of things to do. The current site is a bit outdated in its format. I do change the images and schedule regularly, just need to update the layout. Got any suggestion for me? What would you like included...or left out? Add your suggestion here by way of a comment.

I also got my NewsLetter going. It will be sent once a month with updates on my show schedule, images of new paintings as they are created, new prints as they are released and anything else extraordinary that may happen.

The "Subscribe Button" is not in place yet, I 'm still working on that....don't want to crash anything again. So, send me an email with the word Subscribe in the subject line schindehette@embarqmail.com

Visit here to get weekly updates if you don't want to wait for the NewsLetter.

A.E."Bean" Backus Exhibit

As I previously mentioned I have been concentrating on and putting a lot of time into the business of art. My files are cleaned out and on their way to being organized, email addresses are uploaded into my new contact program and my web site is on its way to being fixed...but, it is still not on line. I was merrily humming along when I got whammed!

Our local, and very fine, Appleton Museum of Art is hosting a teriffic exhibit showcasing the art of A.E. "Bean" Backus. He was my friend, teacher and mentor! He is the very reason I paint! And an outstanding collection of his work is coming to my home town!!!!!! WOW!!

I always participate in any event or exhibit that promotes Beans work. In my opinion, he is under appreciated...his art as well as his major contribution to raising the level of respect for Florida artists. He is considered the "Father of Florida Landscape Painting", coming into prominence as a national artist in the late 1960s when his work was hung in President Lyndon B. Johnson's library in Texas and in the Senate offices in Washington, D.C. and was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 1993.

So, I contacted the Appleton Museum and spoke with Dr. John Lofgren, the Director. He is a warm and receptive gentleman filled with enthusiasm. Speaking with him was a breath of fresh air...not at all the stuffy type we offten see in lofty positions.

I am delighted to report that he invited me to speak at the Gala Directors' Circle Reception that will preview the exhibit February 12. I plan to enlighten the folks on The Artist Bean's direct approach to painting from an artists view and to share personal stories of The Humanitarian Bean whos door was always open to everyone.

Then on Saturday, February 21 I will conduct a demonstration at the Appleton on the way Bean went about creating his paintings, from pencil sketch, pallete, brushes to painting. One of the things Bean stressed was that there are no secrets...he generously shared his knowledge. He knew each person brought their own gifts to their painting and that no one ever produced a painting just like their teacher. He was one of those very rare people who was not threatened by anothers success.

So, I have put my business me, aside for now. I am immersed in memories. Reliving those very first days at Bean's studio in Ft. Pierce, just visiting at first and then moving on to painting alongside that kind and gentle man. I have been asked to speak for about 45 minutes to one hour...it will be very hard to condense a lifetime into those few minutes. I was with Bean the day he died, June 6, 1990 at the age of 84.....and yes, we were painting that day.