B. 1906-1995 - A.E. Backus (Beanie) was mostly self taught, although he did enjoy two summer stints at the Parsons School of Design in New York City. At Parsons he learned the academic principles of symmetry and design that he had previously explored instinctually. Backus always earned his living thorough his artistic talent; first as a commercial artist painting signs, billboards and theater marquees. Much like a visual journal of his travels, Backus recorded his journeys through his artwork. >