Captain Brown of Shem Creek ~ He’s a charmer!
He stands proudly posed with his head turned to the side, looking out to the sea like an old ship captain. His webbed feet are turned in, pigeon-toed and planted on one of the pilings next to the Shem Creek boardwalk. The shrimp boats are in for the day and he stands watch, his big pot-belly digesting the many fish he caught throughout the morning. He is a young Brown Pelican, only a couple of years old but he already considers himself an old salt around the docks in Mount Pleasant’s seafood port of Shem Creek.
Captain Brown of Shem Creek by William R. Beebe, 40 x 30, Oil on canvas, $10,000
The iconic shrimp boat Winds of Fortune carries on as one of the remaining shrimp boats after the passing of its captain of many years, Wayne Magwood. The Shem Creek Bait Boat is also a fixture along the wharf.
Captain Brown of Shem Creek by William R. Beebe, background details
The lone boathouse with the red roof secures prime real estate on the waterfront as large homes vie for a water view. So close to Charleston and the beaches; this area is highly sought after.
Captain Brown escorts the shrimp boats in and out of port on a daily basis, flying Wingman like in Top Gun. Never wanting to miss any action, he is always on the ready. Therefore, his nickname Captain Brown. Young and cocky, he sometimes takes chances and lands on moving ships at sea, or dives into rolling seas from way up in the sky.
His life isn’t easy and he had to grow up fast. Still he exerts a certain charm not allowing himself to be hardened by the elements and the occasional hostile shrimper. He allowed me to take his picture from relatively close up. He seemed friendly and not territorial.
I knew I had to paint his portrait when I saw him. I always look for unique qualities in my bird portraiture and between his pose, his gaze, his webbed pigeon-toed feet and his presence I said to myself, this bird has got “it”.
Captain Brown of Shem Creek by William R. Beebe, feet detail
I hope you like my portrayal of Captain Brown. He is almost life-size, dominating the 40” by 30” canvas. He stands tall and proud.
Thank you for reading my journal and for your interest in my artwork. I’m planning on getting back to my work-in-progress of St. Michael’s Church next. So please check back soon to see what’s on my easel.
“One of the joys of being an artist is having the freedom to follow my passion….”
What’s next?
Drawing by William R. Beebe