About The Artist Jim Booth
Jim Booth was one of the most prolific artists of the Southeast, with a career spanning almost 50 years. His paintings depicted the power and peace, joy and beauty of our Carolina lowcountry. Jim’s paintings, with meticulous detail, reach out to the best and most beautiful within each person’s mind.
Inspired by a Normal Rockwell painting on the cover of “Boy’s Life,” Jim knew that art was his calling but denied himself formal training because he felt that art was not the way to make a living. He majored in architecture at Clemson University, but decided to become an artist after taking a required art course. He was called to serve his country after three years in college, and joined the Marine Corps in 1967. During his training he continued drawing and painting, and was astonished to find that people wanted to buy his paintings!
In May 2018 Jim retired and closed his gallery and in June 2021 he passed away. The News and Courier featured a couple of tribute articles highlighting his life and career:
- The reach that such prints allowed was something of particular importance to the artist, as he felt strongly that everybody should be able to afford to put something meaningful to them in their home. “Everyone wanted to own a Jim Booth,” Roe said.
- In earlier years, he was also involved in the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. SEWE President Jimmy Huggins met him through the organization during the mid- to late-’80s, when his participation helped to establish the organization’s extensive arts component. “Jim Booth was an artist that resonated with so many in the Lowcountry,” said Huggins, adding that the artist should be remembered for his contributions to conservation organizations and nonprofits as much as for his expansive body of work. “While he only participated in SEWE in its early years, we celebrate those artists that have slowly and collectively helped mold Charleston into an arts destination. Surely Jim inspired many artists that are sharing their work today,” Huggins said.
- For Booth, the true mark of a painting’s success was when someone would tell him how a detail in the work resonated with them. He viewed his customers, many of whom are avid collectors, as extended family.
- Access the full article online at : Artist Jim Booth Painter of SC Treasures and a Marine Veteran dies at 75.
- Letters to the Editor : Farewell to Jim Booth, Friend of the Morris Island Lighthouse.
We hope you will share your stories to be a part of Jim’s last work of art capturing his life’s work and your connections. By sharing our connections, we are all a part of his paintings.