Welcome to my News

Dear Friends and Friends of my work

Over the last few months I have been working on what has turned out to be a major project being a portrait painting for my Mother for her 80th birthday on the 19th of January.  It began as a portrait of both her and my Dad celebrating her 79th birthday, however encouraged by my mentor, Nafisa, this was extended to include portraits of the family in the background.  My personal challenge of painting two portraits in one painting was extended to eight!  (I am the one on the right in the portrait of the four children).

While the painting has been challenging on a number of levels as an artist and as a daughter (with Dad’s health declining dramatically in the year), overall it has been an absolute joy to paint especially knowing the joy that it will bring to my mother.  Countless hours have gone into it’s creation from a full scale tonal drawing to begin with, before even beginning painting, to whole days of painting.   Dad’s shirt took a day in itself, mastering or endeavouring to get the sculpting, the tones and the check print.  It would have been a lot easier if it was a plain shirt, and as an artist it would have been easy to just paint it plain however Dad has always worn check shirts and this is one our family all knows. 

The gift to Mum feels more like a gift to me because somewhere in the process of its creation it has affirmed my love for portraiture, for painting from a space of joy and love and my desire to be able to paint portraits for others who will also treasure them. 

For me “Celebration” is not just about celebrating Mum’s 80th birthday, but about celebrating the union between Mum and Dad for the 59 or so years they have been together, through sickness and health (the way Mum’s hand is resting on Dad’s arm), it’s about celebrating family and life and recording it for all time.   Surrounded by roses from her garden and with Mum’s signature sponge cake in front of them (and which I recalled while painting that I had helped decorate), this painting captures so much of our family history. 

It has been a celebration for me to be able to create this painting for Mum and I am grateful for the teachers who have helped me to develop as an artist over the years, and particularly in these last two with Nafisa focussing on my portraiture skills.

If you look closely, behind Dad’s head in the painting is the corner of a small portrait with just the forehead showing of  our daughter, Nyomi.  I wanted to have atleast one of the grandchildren included in the painting to indicate the generations, even though it was suggested at one stage that perhaps I could leave that small painting out of the picture.  It wasn’t until much further along in the painting that I realised how important it was Nyomi was included because one day she will actually inherit this painting and it will be her’s to pass on in our family. 

Some years ago now before I had actually taken lessons in portraiture, I did a portrait of Nyomi holding a chook on my parent’s farm and in the background of this painting is just the arm of her grandfather, my Dad, wearing one of the cardigans he has always worn.  Again someone suggested I leave Dad’s arm out of the picture and yet I am so glad I didn’t because it has captured three generations in the painting…Nyomi, her grandfather at her side and myself by way of having painted it.  Part of the power and the significance of the painting would have been lost without Dad’s presence and likewise had Nyomi not been included in Mum’s painting.  The painting of Nyomi is in my portrait gallery and is called “Love”.  In fact, there is a lot of love in both these paintings.

So I hope you too can join in and enjoy “Celebration” and may 2012 be a year to celebrate your life, family, friendships, your passions and all that is important to you.

With best wishes for 2012,

Marion

Dear Friends and Friends of my work

We have just returned from a holiday touring the south coast of New South Wales and into Victoria along the Great Ocean Road.  For those of you who were unable to make it along to the 40×40 Exhibition at Artfocus Gallery, I thought I would send you a quick note with this photo of me taken at the gallery with my latest works. 

For followers of my work be ready for a surprise!  This latest series is in marked contrast to my previous works and yet brings together my landscape skills along with my figurative and portraiture skills I have been developing over the past 18 months or so.  They were a lot of fun to paint!

"Memories, Magpies and Make Believe" series at Artfocus Gallery

Dear Friends and Friends of my work

Please disregard yesterday’s email regarding slides.   This was a test being done by my lovely website creator, Kathrin, as part of the development of my site so you may want to stay tuned on that.

Magnolia Time, oil on board, 9" x 5"

While writing, I thought I would take the opportunity to update you on a couple of upcoming exhibitions I am involved in.  Today is the opening of the Mosman Art Society’s 9″x5″ Spring Exhibition and to mark the occasion I chose to paint one of my favourite trees, the magnolia.   “Magnolia Time” will be at the exhibition being held at the Julian Ashton Art School, Headland Park, Middle Head Road, Mosman from 3-25 September, 10 am – 5pm.  The opening is this evening from 5pm to 8pm and you are welcome to attend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

40x40 Exhibition Invitation

 

 

 

 

 

I am also participating in a group exhibition to be held at Artfocus Gallery and Studio, Powells Road, Brookvale the opening being Saturday 17 September, 6 pm – 8.30 pm.  The exhibition will run from 19-30 September.  The details are at left and again you are invited to come along and join in the celebration on the night.  We have over 16 artists participating and all have painted 4 paintings on a 40cm x 40cm canvas, so there should be lots of variety in the work.

 

 

 

 

 

Self Portrait: When I was 7

I am very excited about the 40×40 Exhibition as the four pieces I will be exhibiting are a new series based on the self portrait I recently completed, “Self Portrait:  When I was 7″.  To read more about this painting see the “Stories behind the painting“.  In the spirit of this painting, I have developed a theme based on this era including a tea party, merry go round, on the swing, and dress ups.  The series is titled “Memories, Magpies and Make Believe” and you will have to wait to see them at the exhibition as they are currently at the framers.   I haven’t had time to photograph them because of the fine detail and the time taken to paint this series however once they are hung I will photograph and add to my website in the figurative paintings.

 

So if you can make it along to these exhibitions, I would love to see you there.   Meanwhile, I hope all is well with you and now it’s time to go and do what I love most and that is paint!

 

Enjoy! 

Best wishes, Marion

 

Dear Friends and Friends of my work,

It has been just on a year now since the launch of my website and a wonderful year it has been for my journey as an artist.  From focussing mainly on landscape painting, this year I have taken a detour into new territory to develop my skills and have entered the challenging terrain of portraiture and the human form.  It’s been both exciting and humbling however I am fortunate to have been receiving invaluable guidance from my teacher, Nafisa Naomi.   (Nafisa won the Packers Prize at this year’s Archibald Exhibition). 

Throughout the year I have continued to exhibit at various art shows however my focus has been on development.   So I thought in this newsletter I would give you a glimpse of some of the work I have done throughout the year.  I hope you enjoy this selection of pieces. 

“Emerging” was my first finished pastel portrait and was selected to be hung in the 2010 Warringah Art Show.   

In addition to portraits, I have also had a play with painting abstracts and “Poppies” is my second in this field.

Despite these detours though, I still love the land so recently reconnected with landscape painting attending Warwick Fuller’s Plein Air painting weekend near Little Hartley on 23-24 October.  This is one of the paintings from that weekend.

During the year I joined the Mosman Art Society and recently participated in their 9″x5″ Exhibition, which was a bit of fun especially painting on that small scale.  Both these paintings sold as part of that exhibition.

  

To see more of my work throughout the year, have a browse of my website at www.marionjoylangford.com.au. 

With the lead up to Christmas you might like to splurge on a painting either for yourself or as a special gift and in the spirit of Christmas I am reducing my prices by 25%.  Visit my website and if you are interested in any pieces, either call me on 040 999 3090 or email me at marion@marionjoylangford.com.au.  Some items are not for sale, however if you are interested then just let me know. 

Once again, thank you for your support.  I wish you all a safe and happy Christmas and all the very best for the New Year!

Best wishes, Marion

Dear friends and friends of my work

A very special thank you to all those who were able to make it along on Saturday evening for the official opening of our “Affinity” Exhibition.  Thanks also for the many well wishes sent through to me on the day.

The evening was a resounding success with over 300 guests attending on a superb Sydney evening.  Visitors came from as far away as Brisbane and Canberra, and for Sydney, even crossing two bridges to be there to support and witness a milestone evening for all 5 artists involved.

This was the first time each artist, including myself, had been able to showcase a significant body of work so a major event for us all.  It was also wonderful that our first major exhibition was being held at Artfocus Gallery, having all met through painting or being associated with the gallery and studio.  My special thanks to Lyn Hammond and Anne Bourne (owners of the gallery) and the team including Carly and Rick at AFG, for their wonderful support and encouragement.  I could think of no other place I would rather launch.  Unlike most gallery owners, Lyn and Anne are both professional artists as well and know intimately what it means to an artist to put themselves out there, and what it involves to create a body of work for such an exhibition. 

All artists sold works on the night and I was absolutely delighted to discover a colleague of mine had purchased a number of my pieces.  It is such a heartwarming experience to connect with another through your art.  For me personally, where it is possible, to know and meet who is buying my work means a lot to me.   Pictured with me in front of his new triptych is Ian Wamijo, my lovely new collector.  I am not sure who is happier, and maybe that is it, the feeling is mutual and that is the very special connection.  I hope always to feel this way when one of my paintings goes to another, and that they should feel similarly about my work.  I am delighted to have a couple of other collectors interested in the series of “Trunks” so commissions have been mentioned.  “Morning in the Saddle” is being considered for a corporate reception area so that is very exciting.  (See Landscapes – Traditional).

All in all, it was a great night and one that I will remember for many years to come.  However the day itself was not without some qualms and if you would like to read about that, please visit my website and “Artist Diary” for an insight into this artist and her journey with the lead up.

The exhibition runs until Thursday, 26 November, so if you do get a chance to pop into the Gallery and have a look, then call in and see Lyn and Anne.  Artfocus Gallery and Studio is at 1 Powells Road, Brookvale and opening hours are Mon-Fri 10am – 4pm and Sat 10am – 2 pm.

It is very exciting to be “officially” launched and stay tuned for the next update!  Also, feel free to visit my artist diary from time to time to check out what projects are underway and my journey with them.

Again, many thanks for your support.

Best wishes, Marion

Volume 1, October 2009

Dear friends and friends of my work

I am excited to launch my new artist website and have taken the liberty of including you in this initial mailing.  This is an important step in taking my career as a professional artist to that next level.  I appreciate each of you being witnesses to this and thank you for your support.  To explore my website visit www.marionjoylangford.com.au and to receive future newsletters, please subscribe.

Upcoming exhibition – You’re invited!

I am also excited to invite you to my upcoming exhibition “Affinity”.  In conjunction with 4 wonderful women and talented artist friends, we are launching our work at a combined exhibition at ArtFocus Gallery, Brookvale opening on Saturday, 14^th November. 

 You are officially invited and feel free to bring a friend or forward this to others who may be interested.  (For catering purposes only, please RSVP to me by 11^th November).

 The official opening will be Saturday, 14^th November at 6.00 pm and the exhibition will then run until Thursday, 26 November.  ArtFocus Gallery is located  at 1 Powells Road, Brookvale, and opening hours are 10 am – 4 pm Monday – Friday and Saturday, 10 am – 2 pm.

A special thanks to Lyn Hammond and Anne Bourne, artists and owners of ArtFocus Gallery and Studio, who once again display the reason they were winners in their category at the Local Business Awards and finalists at State level, as they give their support to 5 emerging women artists on this evening.  It is particularly special to those of us in the “Affinity” exhibition as we have all met and established our friendship through painting at Lyn and Anne’s studio.  Again, thanks to Lyn and Anne, who have become wonderful friends and mentors to me.

Kanimbla Valley Workshop

On the professional development front, I have just spent three days painting ‘plein air’ in the Kanimbla Valley, at a workshop run by an amazing Australian landscape artist, Warwick Fuller.  Warwick only runs one workshop a year so I felt quite privileged to be part of the small group that had congregated at Warrigal Homestead.

Kanimbla Valley is just south of Little Hartley and ‘over the hill’ from Mount Victoria and the Blue Mountains.  I am beginning to think that there may be more than one reason why the Blue Mountains have gained the name they have and it may have something to do with the colour you go if you stand there long enough looking at them.  Standing on top of a hill looking back at the Blue Mountains with the wind whipping around me and blowing through me, despite all the layers, and with intermittent light rain, my hands were beginning to turn blue!  Very chilly.  One thing to paint in a studio however it is another to paint ‘plein air’, especially if it is ‘blue’!

The sun did manage to come out fleetingly though over the weekend and, with some guidance from Warwick, I did manage to capture the sunlight in this picture.

Website

 I would like to say a special thanks to Kathrin Longhurst who has patiently, persistently and promptly worked with me in designing and developing this beautiful website.  While I was away in the Kanimbla Valley, it was exciting to know that Kathrin was busy putting the beginnings of the site together and, within a short space of time, has brought it to this culmination.  Kathrin is also an accomplished artist and with her greater understanding of the needs of artists, along with a commitment to assist others as they launch their work, it has been an absolute pleasure to work with her.  Thank you, Kathrin.

So that’s my news for now.  Thank you for being part of my website launch.  I look forward to any feedback and I hope to see you at the opening of our exhibition on Saturday, 14^th of November. 

Enjoy!

Marion