Highwayman dies

This is Paul Janensch with a Treasure Coast Essay about Highwayman painter James Gibson.  He died August 15 at the age of 79.  Gibson was one of the first, most productive and most successful of the African American artists called Highwaymen because in they often sold their colorful Florida landscapes from their cars.  A fourth generation Floridian, Gibson grew up in Fort Pierce and learned to paint from white artist A. E. Bean Backus.  Gibson worked fast, was a persuasive salesman and ultimately made lots of money.  His paintings – which became more and more vivid – are displayed in many homes, offices and motels.  You can see a tribute exhibit of James Gibson paintings at the A.E. Backus Museum in Fort Pierce on Saturdays and Sundays through September 17.  I’m Paul Janensch.