Mount Pleasant Magazine Jan/Feb 2021

32 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.VOICEofMPpodcast.com BY JENNIFER BEEBE Painting from Passion WilliamR. Beebe Captures L wcountryMagic T hey say for an artist to become successful, he or she must get to know their subject intimately. Lowcountry artist William R. Beebe has found success by narrowing his focus, photographing and painting shorebirds and colorful, historic Charleston architecture. Living in Mount Pleasant, Beebe finds himself within close proximity to both of his muses. He can be spotted out birding or wandering around downtown Charleston, looking at everything through the lens of a camera almost daily. Beebe works exclusively with oil paint, choosing a colorful palette and small brushes to capture the tiniest details. “Realistic with touches of impressionism,” is how he described his style. He has been painting professionally now for 30 years. With thousands of his own photographs to work from, he chooses to paint the birds that impress him the most: ones with personality, a striking pose or in action. Great Blue Herons, egrets, and Brown Pelicans are recurring subjects of his eye-catching bird portraiture. His recent