diff --git a/backends/x/x.go b/backends/x/x.go
index 517c8b3..a514a65 100644
--- a/backends/x/x.go
+++ b/backends/x/x.go
@@ -74,6 +74,11 @@ func (backend *Backend) calculateWindowSize () (x, y int) {
 	return
 }
 
+func (backend *Backend) bindCanvas () {
+	backend.canvas.XSurfaceSet(backend.window.Id)
+	backend.canvas.XDraw()
+	backend.canvas.XPaint(backend.window.Id)
+}
 
 // factory instantiates an X backend.
 func factory (application *stone.Application) (output stone.Backend, err error) {
@@ -106,6 +111,15 @@ func factory (application *stone.Application) (output stone.Backend, err error)
 		0)
 	backend.window.Map()
 
+	// create a canvas
+	backend.canvas = xgraphics.New (
+		backend.connection,
+		image.Rect (
+			0, 0,
+			windowWidth,
+			windowHeight))
+	backend.bindCanvas()
+
 	// attatch graceful close handler
 	backend.window.WMGracefulClose (func (window *xwindow.Window) {
 		backend.window.Destroy()