How fast the years have flown. Twenty-five years of painting almost every day. With the beginning of the New Year comes my resolution to make the next 25 years of painting the most productive I can. I’m hoping to become more prolific in my later years. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I’ll never be like Norman Rockwell and produce an extraordinarily large body of work. Painting fast isn’t my forte. I’m a slow painter and I have to accept that. But, every day at the easel is a good one and I’m going to keep plugging away!

It all started back in 1990, when I gave up my accounting job, put aside my calculator and picked up my brushes. My left-brain was being overtaxed and my right-brain was calling me. It was all a big gamble, but with Jen’s support and Dad’s voice in my head saying “do what you love, just be the best you can be” we went for it.

The first 12 years of my painting career were spent in Maine. I loved painting the little coastal villages, lighthouses, lobsterboats, and historic wooden schooners. Out of those 12 years, 9 of them were spent working as the resident artist for MBNA painting oil paintings of their office buildings around the world. I also spent a good bit of my time with MBNA continuing to build my body of Maine paintings.

William R. Beebe in his Maine studio in the early 1990's

The next 13 years have been spent living in Williamsburg, Virginia. I continued to paint a number of Maine scenes working from my large resource of Maine photographs. I gradually branched off from painting Maine schooners to some of the schooners that are prominent on the Chesapeake Bay, including the Schooner Virginia, the Pride of Baltimore II, and more. I also developed a portfolio of European landscapes, American landscapes, and eventually a collection of Aviary paintings.

William R. Beebe in his Virginia studio in 2008

So, some of you might say that Beebe has gone to the birds! ☺ Not entirely, I would argue. I do love photographing and painting shorebirds and birds of prey, but I still mix it up by painting Maritime paintings, landscapes, and an occasional portrait. I am currently working on expanding my horizons in the world of Aviary art.

William R. Beebe in his Virginia studio in 2015

Over the years I have developed a range of styles from Impressionism to Realism. The majority of my work I describe as “Realism with touches of Impressionism”.

I love the challenge of painting new subjects. Commissioned work over the years has provided me with a wide array of interesting and sometimes unusual subjects. Pleasing collectors with a painting that has personal meaning to them brings me a deep sense of satisfaction.

William R. Beebe in his studio in Virginia alongside a commissioned painting in 2015

All in all, I can’t believe 25 years have passed so quickly. A huge part of my longevity in art can be attributed to the tremendous support I’ve received at home. Jen plays a big role by being my personal “webmaster”, marketing person, and cheerleader. Her love and support is immeasurable!

Thank you all for your support over the years, for following my art, my journal, and my photography! It too is immeasurable!

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

— William R. Beebe

Celebrating a Quarter Century in Art ~ 25 years and counting!