"A boyhood dream was the beginning..."

One of Dave's earliest memories of painting was in the fall of 1947, he was perched on a dock by Lake Couchiching attempting a landscape painting. Encouraged at an early age by his parents and grandfather (who gave him his first box of pastels and art instruction books) his artistic flare began to immerge. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1939, his family moved to Toronto in 1940 and in 1947 they relocated to Orillia, Ontario. His school years were less then successful academically and he laughingly refers to his interest in Geometry and Art. "There was a drawing factor in these subjects. I liked that!" At the age of thirteen he began his first art lessons with Edna Van Konnet, a Toronto artist. He remembers her as being a rather astere lady, but a teacher who instilled in him a desire to work at his talent which was to develop into a passion later in life.

As a child, Dave was always drawing and interested in nature. recently one of his public school teachers, while visiting the gallery, attested to this fact and reminisced how he was always sketching in his school books. "Yes, I always enjoyed those first blank pages in school text books. The texture was a wonderful drawing surface though the school board's didn't agree." His first pastel painting was of his family home near Orillia, which he proudly shows visitors to his Studio today. His dreams were typical as a youth. He thought that being an artist would be exciting and adventuresome. But he chose the route of business. In 1954 he began a career in advertising sales and marketing, a successful career that was to develop and continue until 1979. After much soul-searching and talking with his family, he traded his briefcase for an easel and box of pastels. Dave and his family packed up and moved from Toronto to Orillia, Ontario and a new life... a life and career he has never regretted. Dave's life experiences have shaped his world of art. His own need for peace and tranquility is reflected in his paintings.

As to his selection of pastel as his primary medium rather then the more traditional mediums... "I have always enjoyed this medium of pastel... it is instant and I am in touch with the mediums physically, unlike oils or watercolours where a brush is normally employed. Colour can be laid down quickly. It works for me."

In 1986 he relocated to his present home/studio and gallery near Orillia. Here he exhibits his work and conducts workshops. His award winning paintings and fine art prints are also available in galleries across Canada and the United States. Numerous one-person exhibits has given him international recognition. His works have been featured in major art books both in Canada and abroad. Most recently he was selected along with sixteen other world artists to be included in a book published by "International Artist" ... titled, "Work Small, Learn Big" available on http://www.art-in-the-making.com. Dave has been recognized for his work by the Pastel Society of America (PSA) and the Pastel Society of Canada (PSC). He is a signature member of both these prestigious organizations. His work is included in government, corporate and private collections in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. But more importantly to him..."My work is appreciated and enjoyed by the general public! If I have projected a certain mood in my paintings that makes a viewer feel good, sturs emotion and leads them to recognize the beauty that surround us, then I have succeeded. Communicating is what my art is about."

Click here to read the Jan. 7, 2004, Toronto Sun article featuring Dave Beckett

Dave's work was recently selected for the Duck's Unlimited National Art Portfolio. 'Coffee Time' was the selection. Please see Original Pastels to view this painting.