Each decade that goes by I find myself thinking how time flies. Life is going by much too quickly. As I approach my 60th birthday, I’m appreciating time more than ever. I can’t believe 25 years have passed since I began painting for a living. Contemplating what I’d like to paint over the next 25 years has lead to some momentous changes in our lives!

When I began painting one of my interests was architecture. In fact, years ago, one evening, my Mom invited a well-known master painter in the art world named Dean Fausett over for dinner. She showed him one of my first watercolors of an old Pennsylvania hotel and asked him what he thought. My Mom was proud of it. It had won a $100 first place prize in the small town art contest.

It was an awkward moment for me. His response was “maybe Bill should consider becoming an architect.” I wasn’t quite sure whether that was a compliment or a way of discouraging me from becoming an artist.☺

Interestingly enough, long after that dinner with Mr. Fausett, I ended up painting office buildings for MBNA. I had to hone up on my architectural drafting skills since in reality I was a Fine Art major and not an architect.

To this day I find architectural elements interesting and inspiring subject matter.

After many years of painting not only buildings, but Maritime scenes, shorebirds, and landscapes, we’ve decided to move to a small, charming city which offers it all, Charleston, South Carolina!!!

The colorful Antebellum homes along Charleston Harbor, the marvelous church steeples scattered throughout the low-rise cityscape, the cobblestone streets and gas lit alleys, the horse drawn carriages, the trees covered with Spanish Moss, and the bustling streets lined with some of America’s finest restaurants, are all calling me. I can’t wait to set up my easel in the Holy City, commonly referred to as “America’s friendliest city”.

Downtown Charleston SC Photo by William R. Beebe

The Battery in Charleston SC Photo by William R. Beebe

Rainbow Row in Downtown Charleston SC Photo by William R. Beebe

The waterfronts will also provide me great inspiration, including areas like Shem Creek with shrimp boats arriving and departing on their daily outings. Along with the fishing industry comes the Brown Pelican. One of my favorite birds can frequently be spotted riding the shrimp boats back into port, or buzzing alongside.

Free ride on the Winds of Fortune in Shem Creek Charleston SC Photo by William R. Beebe

Local beaches like Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island, and Isle of Palms will give me wonderful birding opportunities close to home. On our last trip to Charleston, we walked the grass-covered Pitt Street Bridge where I spotted at least 7 different species of birds within a very short period of time.

American Oystercatcher from the Pitt Street Bridge Charleston SC Photo by William R. Beebe

Beyond the plethora of inspirational subjects to paint, Charleston is a vibrant art community with many galleries, an exceptional Artist Guild, and host to many art-related events throughout the year. On many Fridays throughout the year, local galleries open their doors and offer food and drink to art lovers on the Friday night gallery crawls.

Charleston Artist Guild in Charleston SC Photo by William R. Beebe

It is not only an art-friendly town, but music-friendly too with cool jazz clubs and outstanding theatre. Charleston is often rated as the #1 best food city in the country. For a couple of foodies like us the restaurants alone are enough to cause us to move there! ☺

Great restaurants downtown Charleston SC Photo by William R. Beebe

So needless to say, we’re very excited about beginning our next chapter in Charleston. Inspiration for an artist is a must. Surrounding oneself with inspiration on a daily basis can only help one’s art, soul, and life.

Thank you as always for your interest in my art and for reading my journal. Please check back to see what’s on the easel next! It might be awhile because we’re busy preparing for the big move.

Even with an empty easel there is always plenty to write about.

Thanks y’all. ☺

“One of the joys of being an artist is having the freedom to follow my passion...”

— William R. Beebe

Charleston Bound ~ Turning the page and a new chapter begins!