Highwaymen artist, Al 'Blood' Black has been painting Florida landscapes for 37 years. Mr. Black believes that landscape paintings can be spiritual. He renders Florida landscapes with a tranquil and engaging beauty that reflects the awe and wonder that he feels. Al Black believes that God gives him the ability to share the magnificent colors and moods of Florida. Mr. Black now uses painting to recover a sense of identity. He instructs painting classes and shares the healing qualities of painting landscapes with others. He enjoys teaching his art form to other artists and would-be artists who are incarcerated.

Al Black takes his teaching responsibilities extremely serious. He also relates the skillful knowing of the mixing and blending of color. It is this intuitive knowledge of color that even made Bean Backus take notice. Al Black teaches landscape painting with generosities and humor.

Talking with Al Black
Mr. Black's background in art is as a self-taught artist who learned to paint by watching other self-taught African American artists. The Highwaymen are African American painters who started painting Florida landscapes over 40 years ago. Artworks were sold throughout the state; at first, their work was priced to sell quickly ($10 - $40 and sometimes more). Later, the paintings sold in the hundreds. Today, those same artworks sell as vintage Highwaymen Paintings, folk art, and antique art and are a valued commodity to collectors. However, many of the same original highwaymen artists are painting even better today.

White artist, A. E. Backus cultivated friendships with artists Harold Newton and R. A. McLendon in the early and mid 50s. In the mid and late 50s, other African American artists started painting with Mr. Backus and/or making frames in the Backus’ studio. Harold Newton and Roy McLendon had been selling their artwork for a while when the young artist Alfred Hair visualized a fast moving market for their paintings in which Black artists could derive a livelihood from art. The studio became a meeting place to discuss landscapes, technique, sales, and to view each others' work.

Many people drifted in and out of the Backus studio; some painted and some just watched. Mr. Backus encouraged the African American artists to stick together, paint together. Out of this small gathering of artists developed art movements that are now being acknowledged as the Indian River School and the Backus School.

The artists lived in the Ft. Pierce, Florida area and indeed, painted together. They produced an enormous amount of artwork. By selling their paintings directly to the public, they created their own opportunities and set the standard for other self-taught African American artists who started painting Florida landscapes using the highwaymen-like art motif.

In 1964, Al Black met Bean Backus and the other artists through Alfred Hair. Alfred Hair commissioned Mr. Black to sell paintings for the small group. Before Alfred Hair met Al Black, the artists paid 3 salespersons. Al Black sold an enormous amount of artwork. In fact, Mr. Black sold most of the vintage Highwaymen artworks on the market today. While traveling about Florida and learning the art works, Al Black developed an interest in painting Florida scenery. It was not long and Al said, “I can do that.” By the mid 60s, Al Black was selling the Ft. Pierce artists’ work during the day and painting at night.

The oil paintings are on upson board with handmade frames constructed from wood moldings; many times the frames are finished-out in complimentary colors or gold paint.

Al would park his car in a business district and start out walking carrying artworks. He carried 5 paintings in each hand. He visited many of the establishments where he had once sold office equipment. Mr. Black became well known for his ability to paint Florida landscapes and to sell Highwaymen art.

However, other than a curiosity for his ability to still do 'fast painting' and the monetary value to collectors for his older works, Al Black is hardly acknowledged today at public presentations concerning the 'Story of the Highwaymen' for his work as an Original Highwaymen artist.

His reputation with the other Highwaymen and the public for his ability to sell Highwaymen art overshadows his true love for painting. Through the years, Mr. Black taught painting to many other African Americans who were talented and interested in painting.

By the late 60s, Al was selling highwaymen art for numerous African Americans who were located in areas outside Ft. Pierce. They were self-taught artists. Some never met other Highwaymen, except Al and they never knew Mr. Backus; yet, they painted Florida landscapes in the strong contrasting motif.

Al Black took time to share with other self-taught African American artists and generously brought them into the Ft. Pierce group. Brothers George and Ellis Buckner were introduced to Mr. Backus and the Ft. Pierce artists by Al Black.

Mr. Black is an important part of American ethnic art and Florida’s art history.

A. E. Backus and Al Black
Al Black was the last of the original Highwaymen to seek out Mr. Backus for direction with his painting. They became great friends but Mr. Backus was reluctant to influence Al's expression of landscape or colors.

Al Black strongly expresses, "Bean Backus was a good man. He wasn't afraid; he would drink out of the same glass as we did. He cooked for us, hot fish and rice. He put rum or white port in everything he cooked. Mr. Backus would give us paints if we ran out."

Mr. Backus would tell us, "Paint your ancestors!"
I asked Al if Mr. Backus taught him how to paint and he said, “ No. I learned to paint from James Gibson, Alfred Hair, Harold Newton, Roy McLendon, and Castro Roberts. Sometimes we painted together; I knew how everybody painted. Mr. Backus stressed that each person pursue his own interpretation. Mr. Backus liked my colors. But, I just painted the way I felt."

Text by Carol Minton