Page 13 - Georgetown NCG 2019

MARVIN VIDA JOHN HENRY
GRANT MILLER WHITMIRE

“THE HAMMOCK MAN” EXPERIMENTAL PAINTER JEWELRY DESIGNER

• Grew up in Bronx, NYC • Grew up in the mountains of River Falls, SC • Grew up in Easley, SC
• Georgetown resident for 29 years in northern Greenville County • Moved to Myrtle Beach at 18
• Weaver at the Original Hammock Shop • Georgetown resident for 45 years • Pawleys Island resident
• Owner, Gray Man Gallery • Owner of Whitmire Fine Jewelry since 1972
Q: What brought you to Georgetown County?
CREATIVITY A: “I have family members that live down here. Q: What inspires you most about this area? Q: What was your entrance into jewelry design?
And I was stationed in the military down here.
A: “The fabulous sunsets and sunrises over the water,
A: “My father gave me the opportunity to pay my own way
DEFINES And then I learned this craft.” whether it’s the ocean, creek or river. The way the through college. So, the company I was working with
light changes every day creates a new perspective
offered me $2 an hour in Easley or $2.25 if I worked at
Q: What do you enjoy most about your craft?
the beach. So, I moved to the beach. And when I was here,
on our surroundings and is a constant reminder of
A: “I get to talk to people from all around the world how beautiful this area is.” I met a jeweler and we got to be good friends. And he
GEORGETOWN COUNTY every day.” Q: What do you enjoy most about living in taught me the fundamentals of the jewelry business. I was
going to school at the University of South Carolina in the fall
Q: How long have you been weaving? this area? and winter and spending the summers here. So, when I
A: “29 years. I did a year and a half at the main plant. A: “The people. The weather is great, but the many went back to school…I took the metal craft and design
This July the 5th will give me 27 years in this friendships made in the last four decades bring the course. I was very intrigued with it and very successful.”
TALENTED ARTISTS building (Original Hammock Shop).” most enjoyment.” Q: What type of jewelry do you design?

Q: Where is your favorite spot in Q: How does this area inspire your work? A: “I design lots of pieces. I have a line of jewelry called the
EXPLAIN WHY Georgetown County? A: “The community has been so supportive of my art Treasures of the Sea collection. It’s sea shells, starfish,
A: “I like it in the country … Nice and quiet.
over the years and that support is inspiring. I like
turtles, sea gulls and pelicans. Things you see on the beach
You can relax.” to paint images I enjoy looking at and hope that when you’re here on vacation. Like the Pawleys Island Shell
others enjoy looking at them as well. The creek – we have it in sterling silver, 14 and 18 karat gold. It makes
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time? is one of my favorite things to paint, as I am a great piece of jewelry to take home with you. I also design
A: “Playing chess. Playing sports with the kids.” fascinated by the way it changes with the seasons engagement rings, diamond bracelets, diamond earrings
and the tide.” and things of that nature. We do a lot of re-designs for
Q: What would you like to tell someone that’s people who have old jewelry and have stones they’ve
new to the area? Q: How would you describe yourself as an artist? inherited and do a modern update.”
A: “The area is nice…on Pawleys Island. Anytime it’s A: “I think of myself as more of an experimental painter.
raining in the area, I think they shut Myrtle Beach I started out in watercolors 30 plus years ago before Q: What is your favorite spot in Georgetown County?
down and everybody comes here. That’s how I my political career and was a serious competitive A: “Brookgreen Gardens…It’s a national treasure. It’s a
feel about it.” painter. I enjoyed mixed media abstracts and was wonderful place…to spend the day relaxing. And it’s a very
fortunate to win awards and to be accepted as a inspirational thing for artists. I love Brookgreen a
Member with Excellence into the SC Watercolor Society. whole lot.”
Now, with more time to devote to art, I have enjoyed
getting back into experimenting with a variety Q: What would you tell a new resident or business
of mediums.” prospect about Georgetown County?
A: “It is a wonderful place to live. We have an abundance of…
Q: What is your favorite spot in Georgetown County? wildlife and natural beauty that surrounds us. We have
A: “Where I happen to be at the moment. It could be my a group of wonderful people here. It’s a friendly, helpful,
back yard, enjoying a local restaurant or on the beach. nurturing place to go to work.”
There are too many great places to be in Georgetown
County and each one is unique and enjoyable.”
10 Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce | 843.546.8436 | www.visitgeorge.com Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce | 843.546.8436 | www.visitgeorge.com 11