Frances McMahon

Born in January 1965, AUSTRALIAN artist Frances McMahon has had an avid passion in illustrating Australia's beautiful native birds since the age of five. Her talent was apparent at an early age, accepting her first commission when she was around fourteen, to renowned artist Paul Ashton Delprat, now principal of the Julian Ashton Art School. Paul swapped her painting for one of his etchings ~ a swap Frances was delighted with! Frances is entirely self-taught. Her original paintings now hang in private collections in New York, Minnesota, Ontario and her home country of Australia. Developed over many years, her technique consists of airbrushed backgrounds (liquid acrylic), with the main work completed in watercolour and transparently applied gouache. Using a minute brush, each painting may take between 30 and 230 hours to complete. Some details are so fine they may only be seen with a magnifying glass. Ensuring the longevity of each original painting, only the finest quality archival materials are used. All paintings use either 1680gsm Canson Conservation Board OR 2000gsm Rising Museum Board for the ground. This is completely acid free, mildew and rot resistant, buffered against acid migration and free from optical brighteners. Additionally, only ASTM rated I or II paints are used, to ensure maximum lightfastness. All original works are framed to the highest conservation standard, using museum quality 100% cotton rag matting, and "tru vue" Conservation Clear glass, which cuts out 99% of damaging ultra-violet rays. Since 2016, Frances is now framing with Museum Glass. This is not only UV protective, but cuts out glare and provides the viewer with an unbelievably clear view of the artwork. The clarity has to be seen to be believed! From January 2013, all original paintings will come with a Certificate of Authenticity, signed and dated by the artist. Frances is now offering stunning LIMITED EDITION GICLEE PRINTS of a few select works. The detail and quality has to be seen to be believed! For further information, please visit: www.bluethumb.com.au/frances-mcmahon * * * * * * * * * * EXHIBITIONS, AWARDS, AND WORKS IN PRINT: Diploma of Arts (Graphic Design) 1986. WINNER of the SAM SLATER ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD (for an artist under 25 years) at the prestige Australasian Wildlife Art Society's 1992 Annual Exhibition. RELEASED FIRST OPEN EDITION PRINT (2000) : "Waiting for the Rains" (Eastern Rosellas). EXHIBITED at Morpeth Gallery's Annual Wildlife Art Exhibition : 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005. Voted 3rd most popular painting (People's Choice Award) Wildlife and Botanical Artists (ACT) 2nd Annual Art Show and Prize 2000. FEATURED ARTIST in the January 2001 and August 2007 issues of "Australian Artist" magazine. INVITED by Barren Grounds Bird Observatory to submit a painting which was silently auctioned in Sydney by Christie's in April 2001. This was part of a fund-raising venture. It sold above the reserve. WINNER of the HIGHLY COMMENDED WILDLIFE ART AWARD ~ Wildlife and Botanical Artists (ACT) 3rd Annual Art Show and Prize 2001. WINNER of the HIGHLY COMMENDED WILDLIFE ART AWARD ~ Wildlife and Botanical Artists (ACT) 4th Annual Art Show and Prize 2002. Five of her paintings were selected by Art Publishing for reproduction onto greeting cards. In November 2002, 1000 of each were printed and distributed around Australia and New Zealand. FINALIST in the International (inaugural) WATERHOUSE NATURAL HISTORY ART PRIZE 2003. WINNER of the WILDLIFE ART AWARD ~ Wildlife and Botanical Artists (ACT) 6th Annual Art Show and Prize 2005. WINNER of the HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARD ~ Wildlife Art @ Discovery Exhibition, CSIRO, 2007. COMMISSIONED by the Friends of Australian National Botanic Gardens to illustrate every bird species commonly found there. A mammoth job taking two years to complete. Brochures printed and now available from the Visitors' Centre, Canberra, Australia. 2011. FEATURED ARTIST in the November 2013 issue of "Artist's Palette" magazine. This was a six page editorial, and her artwork made the front cover! FEATURED ARTIST in the December 2014 Yearbook issue of "Artist's Palette" magazine. FEATURED ARTIST in the April 2015 (Issue 5) issue of "Creative Artist" magazine. This was a 10 page editorial, and her painting of a Black Duck made the front cover! CURRENTLY completing new original works, for private sale.