Doug Beam moved from Florida to the mountains of Whittier, North Carolina after his wife, Ellen, passed away of cancer eight years ago. Doug has struggled to combat feelings of loneliness, but has since rediscovered his passion for the arts. Doug crafts and repurposes antiques in his garage and sells his items at Uncle Bill’s Flea Market with his best friend and business partner Don every weekend. Doug, whose artist name is Rufuss, enjoys turning old things into new because they remind him of past memories.

Photo of Doug Beam by Amanda Lalezarian