About 15 years ago, I was on vacation in the Low Country area of South Carolina. This is the area near Beaufort, St Helena Island, Lady’s Island, etc. It was at a difficult time in my life and I needed a change of scenery. We have all been there at one time or another.
I had brought my road bike with me, went to the local bicycle shop, and hooked up with the local cycling group. If you ever want to make a friend, go on a group ride and it just may happen organically.
On the ride that day was a guy around my age named Billy. He had also had some rough times, gave me some insight on life and we commiserated for awhile. Turns out Billy is also an artist, specializing in Low Country art. I really like his nature scenes but he also does whimsical paintings featuring sand pipers, alligators (yes, there are alligators in the Low Country) and black birds in boots!
There are also paintings of shrimp boats and lighthouses (like on Hunting Island State Park), crabs and possums.
I checked out some of his paintings at the local art gallery that features work from local artists. I wanted to have one of his paintings but they were a little on the pricey side, or so I thought. As it turns out, this guy sells his art almost as fast as he creates it. He also does commissioned pieces.
One day on FB, I reached out to Billy about a post he had made with a new painting, a scene on the sun shining over the water with palm tress. I asked, the price was right, and the rest is history. That was about 10 paintings ago. Here is the latest:
This is Hunting Island State Park.
I’ve seen Billy infrequently since the initial bike ride, but who knew15 years later I would be a collector of his art and that the friendship would endure.
Even when things are looking bad, stay in motion. God can’t steer a stopped ship. Go take some dance lessons, join a book or cooking club, or go on a group bike ride. You never know when or where you will make a friend.
https://beaufortriverglass.com/product-category/paintings-artwork/billy-wilkie
You can check out his art at this link.