{"id":1485,"date":"2021-12-05T05:06:04","date_gmt":"2021-12-05T05:06:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/themccorrycollection.com\/tmc\/db\/?p=1485"},"modified":"2021-12-06T21:27:52","modified_gmt":"2021-12-06T21:27:52","slug":"william-bill-beavan-south-african-australian-1944-2005-biography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/themccorrycollection.com\/tmc\/db\/william-bill-beavan-south-african-australian-1944-2005-biography\/","title":{"rendered":"William \u2018Bill\u2019 Beavan (South African\/Australian 1944-2005) Biography"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bill was born in Cape Town, South Africa and came to Australia aged four and settled for some years at Timboon in the Western District of Victoria. He attended Brighton Grammar School and as well as the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A self-taught artist, selling his first painting at the age of 16 years of age, Bill trained as a sign-writer; Bill lived in Merricks on the Mornington Peninsula for most of his life, where he built his home, studio, and wetlands on a property that attracted dozens of species of birds including Australian Swans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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He is noted for his numerous works depicting his strong affinity for the Australian landscape and wildlife. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bill Beavan Oil Painting “Koalas”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bill was once described as “a bushman who lives in the city” He travels extensively in the outback in search of material for his intensely vibrant canvases. He has always been fascinated by the changing moods and violent physical contrasts of the unique Australian landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To quote Bill, ‘I am compelled to take my easel and paintbox to paint what I see. I take my sketchbook with me so that I will not miss anything. I want to be there to experience it all to capture the feeling of the movement, the drama, the stark realism of the subject matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bill<\/figure>
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A member of Landcare and for many years, Bill was involved with the R.S.P.C.A., helping with the survival of native animals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bill Beavan Oil Painting “Kookaburras”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

He is best known for his studies of birds. These he paints with a masterly grace and expressive freedom, which is appreciated not only in Australia but by lovers of wildlife throughout the world. However, his painting is not confined to wildlife subjects. He has also depicted many other aspects of the Australian bush in an equally vivid manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bill<\/figure>
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Bill used mainly oil paint to depict his subject, whether it be a bird in flight or sunlight on hay shed, his use of colour, composition to capture movement is genuinely eye-catching and, at times, mesmerizing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bill Beavan Oil Painting “Warm Light”<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

With over forty successful exhibitions throughout Australia and overseas, and after an exhibition of his work in London in 1974, he was acclaimed for his “unique ability to capture the mood of Australia”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bill<\/figure>
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Bill’s paintings have been published in several books, including the beautiful “A Sunburnt Country’, a collection of many of Bills earlier paintings. In addition, Bill is recognized in the Dictionary of Australian Artists and published in calendars three times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bill Beavan Oil Painting “Emu’s In The Desert”<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Collections<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

His works are represented in many leading Australian private collections and regional galleries, including:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n