"I am known as 'The Moonlight Painter', and I find the modes and materials as unlimited as space. I have painted so many beautiful subjects and yet my memories hold such a vast gallery too beautiful for words. I trust that I have conveyed my thoughts to canvas, pleasing the many people who have bought them."

Arnold F S Beardsley

Arnold Beasley was born in 1915 at Trimulgherry in the Deccan Provinces of Secunderabad, India, into a family steeped in military tradition. His early years were immersed in a vibrant milieu of color and culture, with his father serving as a Captain in the Royal Horse Artillery and even acting as a postillion for King George V at the 1911 Delhi Durbar.

In 1920, the Beasley family sailed to England and settled in Brighton. Along the scenic shores of Chichester Harbour, Arnold discovered his lifelong passion for the sea. By the age of 12, he was sketching ships and capturing the dynamic moods of the ocean. His natural talent earned him a free entry to Chichester Art School at 14, where he further honed his artistic skills and developed a deep appreciation for fishing and wild-fowling.

At 23, Arnold married Vera Williams and soon joined the 8th Army. During World War II, he served with distinction in the Western Desert and took part in the siege of Tobruk, experiences that left a lasting mark on both his character and his art. After being invalided out of the army, he returned to Brighton, painting part-time as he rebuilt his life. By 1959, he embraced a full-time career as a professional painter, dedicating himself entirely to his craft.

In his later years, he masterfully captured the drama of historic sea battles, yet it was his quiet, ethereal moonlight seascapes—painted mainly around the West Country and Jersey—that truly captivated audiences. These works evoke a timeless serenity and a profound, personal connection to the mysteries of the ocean.

A devoted family man and dog lover, Arnold, his wife Vera and two dogs, made their home in Beach Road, Emsworth, Hampshire. In the precious spare moments he found, he also penned poetry, adding yet another rich layer to his artistic legacy. He passed away in 1998, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and move those who experience his work.