Starting his career as a successful illustrator in Chicago, Phil was drawn to the world of fine art in 1980 when he arrived in Scottsdale, Arizona. A colorist with a painterly style who stresses harmony in his artwork, Phil studied at the American Academy of Fine Art in Chicago. He is a versatile artist who specializes in figurative work. Phil’s love for animals is apparent in his work, and animals appear in most of his paintings as he brings them to life on canvas. Phil’s predominant medium is oil, but he is also known for his speed and accuracy in his beautiful drawings. Phil paints full time in his Scottsdale studio, but is never too far from the desert he loves. Painting life in the Southwest has been a favorite of Phil’s, especially painting the children. Over the years Phil has built strong and lasting friendships with several different Native American families, which have allowed him to watch many of his young models grow to adulthood.
Phil was an instructor at the Scottsdale Artist School for over twenty two years, and has also taught workshops around the country, where his talents are sought after as an instructor and lecturer. His paintings have garnered numerous awards and hang in many private and corporate collections throughout the United States and abroad.
Phil has been honored with the highest awards presented in several different museum shows, including Gold Medal in oil, Best in Show, Artists Choice Award , and the Prestigious Goodman Award for best oil painting in show. In 2008, Phil was honored with the Museum Purchase Award at Cheyenne’s Frontier Days Art Show at the Old West Museum , his painting Cowboy School was selected for the limited print for 2009. The Museum Purchase Award was again given to Phil in 2011 for his painting
Standing Bovation .Peoples choice award at the Phippen museum 2014,2015and 2021.
He has been featured in Southwest Art Magazine, Art of the West Magazine, Western Horseman, Cowboys and Indians and several other publications. Phil has been a participant in several shows including the, Mountain Oyster Club ,where he is an artist member ,Cheyenne Frontier Days Museum Show, Phippen Museum Western Show, and Hold Your Horses Show at the Phippen Museum to mention a few. Phil is represented by, Southwest Art Gallery, Dallas Texas, West Lives On Gallery Jackson Hole Wyoming, Santa Fe Trails in Santa Fe New Mexico and the Turquoise Tortoise Tubac Arizona.
Phil lives with his artist wife Marty, in Scottsdale, Arizona. His passion for painting is never ending, and it is truly that, a passion.
Are you interested in purchasing Phil Beck's work? Please check out Phil Beck's art page or contact Turquoise Tortoise Gallery for more information.