He flawlessly captures everyday life and nostalgic scenes of domestic and social euphoria perfectly in a variety of colours.

And as he celebrated his 100th birthday on May 5, renowned Australian artist John Beeman is continuing to paint his own story.

Born in Sydney in 1926, Mr Beeman grew up on the Northern Beaches and served as an air gunner with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) 102 Squadron during World War II (WWII).

He commenced formal art training in 1945 and spent five years studying at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney where he joined the Australian Museum as a Cadet Preparator before travelling to the United Kingdom.

He spent the next two years perfecting his skills at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London.

Upon returning to Australia in the early 1950s he married his fiancé Rosemary Hain, an art student at the East Sydney Technical College, and the couple went on to raise two daughters and a son between their various artistic careers and pursuits.

In 1962, Mr Beeman embarked on a three-month study tour of the United States of America (USA) on behalf of the Australian Museum to investigate the exhibition methods and techniques which were being applied by the major American natural history institutes.

Upon his return, he was instrumental in introducing numerous display techniques that he had been exposed to overseas for the first time in Australia.

But whenever time permitted, Mr Beeman always had a paintbrush in his hand.

Through his expressive creativity, he simplified a technique based on a traditional gesso formula used in Europe and has become renowned for his use of oil on gesso which allows for the precise, controlled, and progressive application of paint.

The resulting artwork boasts a striking vibrancy and clarification of the subjects.

Mr Beeman became a fulltime artist in 1970 and has entered and won several exhibitions through the years including the Grace Brothers Art Competition in 1975.

Mr Beeman and his wife later relocated to the Hastings Valley where they established the steady and deeply committed studio life they continue to enjoy today.

They later moved to Byron Bay, then Yamba, before moving to the oceanside township of Ballina in 2017 where they currently reside.

An extremely diligent and disciplined artist, Mr Beeman’s work reflects a lifelong engagement with the natural world, specifically people and with places, and he and his wife have exhibited at the Red Hill Gallery in Brisbane since 1993.

Mr Beeman celebrated his 100th birthday surrounded by his family during a celebratory lunch near his residence.

He also received congratulatory letters and cards from King Charles III, the Prime Minister, the Governor-General, and state and federal members, along with gifts, cards, and phone calls from family and friends.

Mr Beeman remains in good health and continues to paint every day.

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 15 May 2026.