Representational
painter of western, wildlife and historical scenes, Beecham's
family moved to Colorado when he was 12, and he learned to
hunt lions, mule deer, bobcat, sage grouse, elk, bear and
run wild horses. A great part of his education was hearing
firsthand stories of old Civil War soldiers and Indian fighters
and cowboys who had made some of the big cattle drives. He
graduated in 1944, joined the Navy, and served in the South
Pacific. In 1947 he was accepted at the St. Louis School of
Fine Arts where he chose to be an illustrator. He was a member
of the Society of Animal Artists and was a past president
and member of the Society of American Historical Artists.
He was also a member of the Saugerties Fish and Game Club,
the Blue Kats Men's Club and was a former member of the Ridge
Runners Rod and Gun club of Saugerties.
