Charleston Living Magazine Nov-Dec 2023

also known for his engaging personality. “To
become his personal keeper, you had to pass a
test, a private interview conducted by Willie B
himself. As he studied you from head to toe,
you had to stand before him and offer food in a
particular order. If he didn’t like you, he would
reject the food, throw something-that-shallnot-be-named
at you, and that would be that.
If he did like you, he would offer you a bite.”
Willie B did like Carl, and he offered
Carl a carrot. Understanding the health risks,
Carl thought to outwit the 400+pound giant
and only pretend to take a bite. “Willie B
wasn’t buying it. He showed his displeasure by
circling the room, banging the walls with his
Shop for New
Fall Fashions
130 South Main St
Historic Downtown Summerville, SC
843-871-674
info@maggieroseboutique.com
and was influenced and inspired by too many
artists to name.”
There was, however, one experience that
stood out above the rest. The museum was featuring
an exhibit of the Hudson River School
artists, the first recognized group of “American”
artists. Up until then, all artists had to
go to Europe to be trained, which influenced
how and what they painted. But the Hudson
River artists were painting uniquely American
scenes, many of which people had never
seen. “I sat on a bench in front of Frederic
Church’s famous painting of Niagara Falls.
As I studied the colors, the brushstrokes, the
masterful rendering of water, I suddenly realized
I was hearing the roar of the waterfall. I
could feel the spray of water on my arms. I
was there. I had not realized the full power
of art until that moment. Every artist leaves
something of his own life energy embedded
on the canvas. A painting is a living thing. It
has to be experienced in person.”
But life, as it tends to do, threw Carl
a curve ball. When financial pressures demanded
attention, he left art school to find
work. “An ad in the paper for a position at a
private zoo on the outskirts of Atlanta caught
my eye, and I applied. Although I had no
qualifications, I was hired and began a career
that ultimately led me to Zoo Atlanta where I
became Willie B’s caretaker.”
Willie B was the legendary African
Lowland gorilla who stole the hearts of the
city and sparked the transformation from
glassed-in enclosures to outdoor landscapes
resembling natural jungle conditions. He was
(Opposite): "Serenity Now", oil on canvas, 24"x36";
(Above): Carl Turner painting "Night Messenger",
oil on canvas, 16"x20".
massive arms, and beating his chest. He then
calmly lay on his belly, propped up on one
elbow, looked me intensely in the eyes and
offered me a second chance.” Carl flipped the
carrot and took a bite. Willie B gave a grunt
of approval, and Carl got the job. Experiencing
Willie B’s intelligence and playfulness in
such a close, intimate way gave Carl a deep
respect for all the animals he encountered and
cared for at the zoo.
But at heart, Carl is an artist, and no
matter how far he strayed or how much he
loved the animals, art always pulled him back.
He returned to the art world as a graphic
designer, illustrator and Art Director and
enjoyed a long and highly successful career
working with SCETV (South Carolina Education
Television), Blue Cross Blue Shield,
NationsBank (now Bank of America), and
many other large corporations, non-profits,
and small businesses. “These jobs suited me
well because every project was completely different.
I built a career being flexible and working
in a multitude of styles, finding creative
solutions to complex problems, which is what
Come Shop Your Holiday
Favorites
130 South Main St
Historic Downtown Summerville,
SC 29483
Experience the power of
843-871-6745
info@maggieroseboutique.com
the human voice.
charlestonoperatheater.org
November/December 2023 | 33