Leonard Long facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leonard Long
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Long, circa 1984
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| Born |
Leonard Hugh Long
25 April 1911 |
| Died | 3 November 2013 (aged 102) Melbourne, Australia
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| Known for | Landscape painting |
| Awards | Order of Australia (1993) |
Leonard Hugh Long OAM (born April 25, 1911 – died November 3, 2013) was a famous Australian artist. He was known for painting beautiful landscapes, showing off the natural scenery of Australia. He was part of a group of artists called the Australian School of landscape painters.
Contents
Early Life and First Paintings
Leonard Long was born in Summer Hill, New South Wales, Australia. His father was a baker. Leonard grew up in Mittagong, a town in New South Wales. From a young age, he showed a great talent for drawing. He painted his very first painting when he was just 16 years old.
He started his working life as a watch-maker in a nearby town called Bowral. Later, he moved to Nowra for his job.
Becoming a Full-Time Artist
When he was a young man, Leonard Long loved cycling. He would ride his bike long distances, even from Nowra back to Mittagong. He did this to visit his sweetheart, Mary, whom he later married. In 1934, Leonard and Mary made their home in Nowra. They started their family there, having twins, Ray and Barry, in 1936, and a daughter, Carmel, in 1938.
By 1939, Long became very serious about landscape painting. He spent more and more of his free time creating art. During the Second World War, he worked as a precision instrument maker. After the war, in 1955, he decided to follow his passion. He sold his watch-making business and became a full-time painter.
Exhibitions and Travels
Throughout his career, Leonard Long held many successful art shows. These solo exhibitions took place all over Australia. He also traveled a lot, both within Australia and to other countries. His first trip overseas was paid for by an American millionaire named John Galvin. This experience made a big impression on him.
Long also knew and painted alongside other famous Australian artists. One of them was Albert Namatjira. Today, you can find Leonard Long's paintings in many private collections. His artwork is also displayed in public art galleries around the world.
Later Years and Awards
In 1980, Leonard Long moved to Melbourne. On January 26, 1993, he received a special award. He was given the Medal of the Order of Australia. This award was "for service to the arts as a painter of Australian landscapes." It recognized his amazing contributions to art.
Even at 100 years old, Long continued to paint every single day. He even had a special exhibition for his 100th birthday. This show was held on May 14, 2011, in Yass, not far from Australia's capital, Canberra. He believed his healthy life came from staying active.
Death
Leonard Long passed away on November 3, 2013. He was 102 years old and died after a short illness.
