“Every artist was first an amateur.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

As you will see, I have no long list of exhibitions at this stage. Very early in my career as an artist in my enthusiasm and naivete I decided to venture out into the world of exhibiting and entered my first art exhibition. I knew very little about the art world and had limited reference to others, however I decided to “have a go”. What I did not understand then and so quickly discovered was how absolutely vulnerable one becomes when entering into the world of art and exhibitions, and how subjective the whole viewing and judging process is.

My painting was declined. And I was mortified. It was my first and most significant rejection. Significant, because being unprepared and mostly unsupported (at that stage without fellow artist friends and connections), it had hit a nerve and I questioned “What had I been dreaming of?”. Sadly, I packed up my easel and put away my paints for at least three years before, no longer able to contain the urge to create, I finally picked up a brush and painted again. A small canvas called “Magnolia” (see story behind “Magnolia”).

Curiously, the painting that was rejected was instrumental in guiding me into a career in coaching (see the story behind “Orphan Rock”). “Orphan Rock” and “Magnolia” are now exhibited in my coaching room and are ‘not for sale’, their lessons invaluable. They are a visual reminder for me and hopefully others to follow one’s dreams and not give up on them.

Since returning to painting, I have established invaluable friendships with fellow artists who understand what it is like to put one’s work “out there”. In 2009 I was also heartened by a brief but insightful documentary screened on the ABC. The show followed four professional artists who had decided to enter the famous Wynn/Sulman landscape prize. Only one of them was accepted. The other three all dealt with their rejection in their own way. It was an important window into the emotional roller coaster ride of exhibiting.

I have since entered a few exhibitions and missed out on a few others, however I have come such a long way in that time.

I paint almost every day now for the sheer joy of it, to grow as an artist, and to meet and hopefully overcome the challenges along the way. In the process, I use only the best artist quality paints. 

Current Exhibition:

Marion has 4 pieces being exhibited in the Mosman Art Society 9″ x 5″ Exhibition opening 3 September.   The exhibition is open daily from 10 am to 5pm from 4-26 September at the Julian Ashton Art School Studiios, Building 17, Georges Heights, 1100A Middle Head Road, Mosman (opposite Cobbittee Street).

Exhibitions to date:

Warringah Art Exhibition, Artfocus Gallery, Brookvale, 15th – 25th July 2010.

“A Marine Odyssey”, Royal Motor Yacht Club, 46 Prince Alfred Parade, Newport  NSW, 10th – 20th June, 2010

John Colet Inaugural Art Show, Wyatt Avenue, Belrose, 20th – 23rd May, 2010.

“Creative Journeys”, Mosman Art Society, North Sydney Council Chambers, 14th – 23rd May, 2010, North Sydney

“Affinity” Exhibition, Artfocus Gallery and Studio, 14th – 26th November, 2009, Brookvale, NSW

49th Ryde Art Society Exhibition, 18th – 25th September 2009, Ryde NSW

“Northern-Expressions in Session”, 2 June – 2 July 2009, Parliament House, Sydney, NSW