LATEST NEWS
Since October 2021, Frances is now working as a professional artist.
Her original paintings are exclusively represented by Morpeth Gallery NSW.
March 2025
Frances has been granted membership of the prestigious Art Renewal Centre and now holds the internationally recognised title of Art Renewal Centre ASSOCIATE LIVING MASTER (ARCALM)
After a rigorous and extensive selection process, Frances is one of only 14 Australian artists to receive ARC affiliation and title. Worldwide, only about 300 artists are selected, which means this is one of the highest achievements in the world of realistic art.
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There are three classifications for ARC artists: ARC Living Artist, ARC Associate Living Master and ARC Living Master.
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Taken from the Art Renewal Centre website:
"Leading the revival of realism in the visual arts, the Art Renewal Center® (ARC), a 501(c)(3), non-profit, educational foundation, hosts the largest online museum dedicated to representational art and includes works by the old masters, 19th century, and 21st Century Artists as well as articles, letters and other online resources. The ARC is the foremost and only vetting service for representational art schools ensuring that the teaching curricula and quality of teacher and student work meet our strict standards to become ARC Approved. The ARC also runs the ARC Salon Competition, which is the largest and most prestigious competition in the world for realist artists painting, sculpting and drawing today with eleven categories and thousands of works competing, culminating in a live exhibition of many of the winning works. The ARC works with other ARC Allied OrganizationsTM, artist groups, museums, and publications to become a central news hub for the 21st Century Representational Art Movement.
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More information about the Art Renewal Centre may be found here.
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNER
Holmes Prize for Excellence in Realistic Australian Bird Art 2024
Frances is delighted to announce that Rise and Shine (Cockatiels) has won an Award of Excellence! Only four such awards were given, along with the major prize. 40 paintings were selected for inclusion in this year's Holmes Prize, with the standard reaching higher levels every year.
This prestige competition attracts more entries every year of a very high calibre. It is fast becoming the equivalent of the Archibald Prize for bird art!
ARTIST STATEMENT
One of the most unforgettable experiences of my life was a recent trip to the NT on a guided bird photography tour.
Rising at the crack of dawn, we waited patiently as flocks of cockatiels alighted high up on a gnarly-branched tree. I've never witnessed these birds in the wild, and it was a breathtaking sight to see so many.
I hope the resulting painting leaves the viewer with the same feelings and sense of wonder I experienced that day.
Cockatiels are popular as a caged pet but I feel they are happiest when flying under a cobalt Australian sky.
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Rise and Shine (Cockatiels)
60 x 51cm
Watercolour on 2000gsm museum board
1st Place WINNER
Art and Colour 365 Magazine
Animals Art Competition 2024
Frances is thrilled to receive notification that her online entry House Hunting (Eastern Rosellas) won 1st Place! Over 600 entries were received worldwide, with artwork entries of a very high calibre. A win such as this means her artwork will be seen by a wider audience worldwide.​
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M A R K & F R A N C E S
2 7 J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 4
I'm delighted to announce my marriage to the love of my life, Mark Norton!
Mark was my classical guitar music teacher back in 1988. There were no "sparks" then, and our lives went on separate paths for nearly 3 decades.
After a chance meeting on FaceBook, love blossomed for me and luckily it blossomed for Mark, too!
I am now legally Mrs Frances Norton, but I will continue to sign my paintings and run my business as Frances McMahon.
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNER
Holmes Prize for Excellence in Realistic Australian Bird Art 2023
Now in its 7th year, the Holmes Prize for Excellence in Realistic Australian Bird Art is sponsored annually by Sunshine Coast dermatologist Dr Gary Holmes and his wife, Dr Margaret Anderson.
This is a major art prize, and the only one dedicated exclusively to Australian birds.
After a record number of entries, Frances' painting House Hunting (Eastern Rosellas) was just one of only 40 finalists selected.
Frances is delighted to have won an Award of Excellence. Only 4 paintings received such an award.
ARTIST STATEMENT
The guttering and eaves of the unit where I live are in dire need of a spruce-up. However, the local Eastern Rosellas don't seem to mind, as they are often observed chewing away at the rotting wood in order to make a nesting cavity.
Art often imitates life. At the time of painting this, it so happened that my fiancé and I were also looking for our forever home and have also been seen house hunting!
I'll always fondly remember and miss the friendly chattering and brilliance of these lovely birds which brightened up the greyest of winter days.
House Hunting (Eastern Rosellas)
Now available as a superb Limited Edition Giclée Print
House Hunting (Eastern Rosellas)
Now available as a superb Limited Edition Giclée Print
