Beacon of the Lowcountry

Beacon of the Lowcountry: The Life, Art, and Legacy of Jim Booth tells the story of one of South Carolina's most beloved artists. Told in large part through Jim Booth's own words -- culled from intimate interviews recorded during the final months of his life -- this richly illustrated biography captures the essence of a man whose paintings have defined the visual identity of the Carolina coast for nearly five decades. Featuring more than 200 original works, never-before-seen early works, inspiration photography, and newly uncovered family letters written from Vietnam, this book traces Booth's remarkable journey from a young Boy Scout coming of age in the 1950s to an architecture student turned combat Marine, to a self-taught artist and philanthropist who built a nationally recognized gallery distributing over 200,000 prints to a fan base of over 30,000 dedicated collectors. His vivid depictions of marshlands, beaches, wildlife, and storms -- most notably his iconic rendering of Hurricane Hugo in The Storm -- have become treasured symbols of Southern identity and resilience. But Jim Booth's legacy extends far beyond the canvas. A passionate conservationist, Booth used his art to protect the natural places he loved. He was a founding member of Save the Light, spearheading fundraising to save Charleston's Morris Island Lighthouse. Booth donated over 5,000 prints and posters to environmental and community nonprofits, creating an "Environmental Edition" series to support philanthropic efforts across the Southeast. Today, his daughter, Tracey Booth Owens, carries forward that vision through Jim Booth Legacy Art, donating and selling select pieces of her father's work to benefit the causes he held dear. Part memoir, part artistic catalog, part love letter to the Lowcountry, Beacon of the Lowcountry offers readers a rare window into the heart of an artist who believed deeply in beauty, generosity, and the power of place. For those who treasure the Lowcountry, and anyone inspired by art with a mission, this is a story not to be missed.