Dale Beckman was born in Forsyth; Montana and he has been known to be an image-maker from an early age. Growing up in Glendive, he explored the badlands of Makoshika State Park, in eastern Montana, to quite a degree.
In 1979, Dale Beckman received his B.A. from Rocky Mountain College and completed post-graduate work at the University of Montana. In the early 1980s, Mr. Beckman worked with the Miller Foundation for the Arts, in Billings, Montana.
In 1986 Dale moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. There he became a member of the Santa Fe Society of Artists, Artist Equity, and Rio Grande Artist Co-op. It was with these art organizations that Dale exhibited his paintings for sale in the outdoor art shows. Dale Beckman exhibited in regional art galleries also.
In 1996 Dale moved to Abiquiu, New Mexico, and painted the badlands that artists Georgia Okeefe called home. Dale Beckman Gallery went online in 1998.
In 2005 Dale moved to Helena, Montana where he maintained a studio at the Creation Center.
In 2014, Dale received a grant from The Myrna Loy Foundation to create a body of Badland paintings featuring Montana's, Makoshika State Park. In 2014 Dale also received the honor of being a de Vinci Finalist, in the Eric Hoffer Book Cover design awards. Author, Thomas Biel's, " Badlands"
In 2020, the Hockaday Art Museum, in Kalispell, Montana hosted an exhibit of Mr. Beckman's paintings of the Badlands.
Usually, my subject matter is the landscape. The movement of the wind and the movement of the erosion etched into the earth, are what interest me.
I am fascinated by the creation of patterns and I enjoy the process of their creation.
My poured paintings follow the original process pioneered by the artist, David Alfaro Siqueiros, with his accidental painting technique. The process involves pouring paints with different viscosities together and the natural process of separation creates fantastic patterns. I do not use an additive such as silicon to the acrylic paint because that destabilizes the material shorting its longevity. The pours are applied in numerous applications over a textured surface. The final paintings are quite heavy.