Leonard Long
Encyclopedia
Leonard Hugh Long OAM
(born 25 April 1911) is an Australia
n painter
of the Australian School of landscape painters.
Born the son of a baker on 25 April 1911 in Summer Hill, New South Wales, Long is an Australian landscape artist in oils. He was raised in Mittagong on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales
and showed an early aptitude for drawing. He painted his first painting at the age of 16. He started his working life as a watch-maker in nearby Bowral later moving to Nowra for work.
As a young man Long was a cyclist and rode his push bike long distances including the trip from Nowra back to Mittagong to see his sweetheart Mary whom he later married. In 1934 he and Mary settled in Nowra where they raised their family, in 1936 having twins Ray and Barry and in 1938 daughter Carmel. By 1939 Long had become more seriously interested in Landscape Painting and spent more and more of his spare time painting. After returning from his civil service during the Second World War as a precision instrument maker, he sold his watch-making business to his partner and began full-time painting in 1955.
During his career Long has held many successful solo exhibitions throughout Australia and has travelled extensively both within Australia and overseas. His first overseas trip was sponsored by the American millionaire John Galvin and the experience made a lasting impression on the artist. He has known and painted with many other Australian artists including Albert Namatjira
. His works may be found in many private collections and is represented in many public galleries around the world.
Long moved to Melbourne
in 1980 where he still lives. On 26 January 1993, Long was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia
'for service to the arts as a painter of Australian landscapes.' At the beginning of 2011, Long continues to paint every day and is preparing for his centenary exhibition which opens on 14 May 2011 at the Kim Nelson Fine Art & Editions studio in Yass
, New South Wales not far from the nation's capital, Canberra
. At one hundred years of age he attributes his continued health to an active life and a medicinal scotch in the afternoon.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 25 April 1911) is an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
of the Australian School of landscape painters.
Born the son of a baker on 25 April 1911 in Summer Hill, New South Wales, Long is an Australian landscape artist in oils. He was raised in Mittagong on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
and showed an early aptitude for drawing. He painted his first painting at the age of 16. He started his working life as a watch-maker in nearby Bowral later moving to Nowra for work.
As a young man Long was a cyclist and rode his push bike long distances including the trip from Nowra back to Mittagong to see his sweetheart Mary whom he later married. In 1934 he and Mary settled in Nowra where they raised their family, in 1936 having twins Ray and Barry and in 1938 daughter Carmel. By 1939 Long had become more seriously interested in Landscape Painting and spent more and more of his spare time painting. After returning from his civil service during the Second World War as a precision instrument maker, he sold his watch-making business to his partner and began full-time painting in 1955.
During his career Long has held many successful solo exhibitions throughout Australia and has travelled extensively both within Australia and overseas. His first overseas trip was sponsored by the American millionaire John Galvin and the experience made a lasting impression on the artist. He has known and painted with many other Australian artists including Albert Namatjira
Albert Namatjira
Albert Namatjira , born Elea Namatjira, was an Australian artist. He was a Western Arrernte man, an Indigenous Australian of the Western MacDonnell Ranges area...
. His works may be found in many private collections and is represented in many public galleries around the world.
Long moved to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in 1980 where he still lives. On 26 January 1993, Long was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
'for service to the arts as a painter of Australian landscapes.' At the beginning of 2011, Long continues to paint every day and is preparing for his centenary exhibition which opens on 14 May 2011 at the Kim Nelson Fine Art & Editions studio in Yass
Yass, New South Wales
Yass is a town in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia in Yass Valley Shire. The name appears to have been derived from an Aboriginal word, "Yarrh" , said to mean 'running water'....
, New South Wales not far from the nation's capital, Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
. At one hundred years of age he attributes his continued health to an active life and a medicinal scotch in the afternoon.