Bruce grew up boating. In his high school and early college days, he could be found skimming the lakes of northern Alabama with family and friends. In 1968, he entered the U.S. Coast Guard for a four year “stint” that took him to Alameda, California and, ultimately, to Galveston, Texas.
Upon completion of his Coast Guard duties and armed with a four-year degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, Bruce returned to civilian life to pursue a career in boating. The corporate ladder took him to Chicago with Outboard Marine Corporation and later to private enterprise with Stingray Boat Company where he performed both sales and marketing functions as Vice-President.
Throughout his career, Bruce has desired to blend his creative passion for writing, photography and the arts with his marine experience. Black Tie Ventures is the culmination of this desire and the lowcountry serves as his studio. As an Image Artist, Bruce focuses on:
- fine art photography - often referred to as digital art or photo art
- scenes and events indigenous to Beaufort and the lowcountry
- a uniquely different product for a uniquely different consumer
- an upscale (Black Tie) theme to complement his images
- creating unique “impressions” for Galleries & Specialty Shops
- image art − not just your typical black and white or color photograph
Bruce is a member of the Beaufort Art Association and The Photography Club of Beaufort. His works hang in the Association Gallery at the corner of Bay and Charles Streets as well as, at the Beaufort OB/GYN Clinic and Low Country Medical Group.
His works have also been (or currently are) featured at Fordham’s Market on Bay Street, the Olde Town Coffeehaus in Port Royal, What’s in Store in Frogmore, the Soft Shell Crab Fest in Port Royal, the Lowcountry Store Arts Festival, the Beaufort Water Festival, Nash Gallery Art Fest on Hilton Head Island, Beaufort Shrimp Festival and the Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival.
