Farquharson, Constance

PROFILE

Constance Farquharson first began art studies in 1950s intending to pursue a career in art. At this time she was particularly influenced by Henry Gibbons, teacher of William Dobel and Joshua Smith, among others. After two marriages, seven children, and a successful career as an interior designer, Constance resumed art studies in the late 1960s.

Constance later studied with Joshua Smith who was to be an influence in the development of her portrait and still life tonal impressionist technique. She  undertook further studies in Florence, Italy, at the Cecil Granes Studio.

Constance was a founding member of Portrait Artists Australia, and sat on the committee for 8 years.

Constance Farquharson- NSW Parliament House 2009, with her painting

Since 1990 Constance has worked full-time as an artist from her studio in Paddington, Sydney. She gains particular delight in the portrayal of children.

Constance has several times been selected as a finalist in the Portia Geach Memorial Portrait Award and in the Mosman Art Award. She has exhibited at the Barry Stern Gallery, Sydney; Driden Fine Art, Adelaide; Custom Fine Art in Los Angeles USA and at the BC Fine Art in Sanctuary Cove, Qld.

Constance paints from life, so the sitter is required to attend a series of portrait sittings, which is part of the pleasure of the portrait commission. She divides her time between her studio in Sydney and overseas locations. “Her approach to the portrait genre is intimate and gentle, and her work reflects both humour and insight.” (Judges’ comments, Mosman Art Society, 2004)

TRAINING

1991-95 Joshua Smith Studio, Sydney.
1992-94 Julian Ashton Art School, Sydney; Graham Inson Studio, Sydney.
1991 Cecil Greaves Studio, Firenze, Italy
1968-72 Maximillion Feurring Studio, Sydney; Ross Davies Studio, Sydney
1954 Desiderius Orban Studio.
1950-52 Julian Ashton Art School, Sydney

COLLECTIONS

Numerous private collections in Australia and Overseas.

Selected Group Exhibitions

2012 “Celebrating Innovators” PAA Exhibition, Federal Parliament House, Canberra
2009 “The face of Australia” PAA Exhibition, NSW Parliament House, Sydney
2007 Annual PAA Exhibition, Arthouse Hotel, Sydney
2007 ˜Power in the House’ PAA Exhibition, Parliament House, Sydney
2007 Finalist – Mosman Art Prize.
2006 ˜Courtroom Faces’ PAA Exhibition, Supreme Court Building, Sydney.
2006 Annual PAA Exhibition, Arthouse Hotel, Sydney
2005 Finalist – Jacques Cadry Memorial Exhibition – Fox Studios Sydney
2005 Finalist – Portia Geach Memorial Award
2004 Finalist – Drummoyne Art Society – Highly Commended
2004 Mosman Art Society, Neutral Bay
2004 Annual PAA Exhibition, Arthouse Hotel, Sydney
2004 Friends of Mosman Art Gallery
2003 Northbridge School of Art Exhibition
2003 Annual PAA Exhibition, Arthouse Hotel, Sydney
2003 Kings School Exhibition
2003 Singleton Art Show, NSW
2002 BC Fine Art, Sanctuary Cove, Queensland.
2002 Annual PAA Exhibition, Arthouse Hotel, Sydney
2002 Sydney Grammar School Exhibition
2002 Driden Fine Art Gallery, Adelaide
2001 Rushcutters Bay Gallery Sydney.
2001 Camberwell Rotary Art Show, Victoria
2001 Finalist – Hunters Hill Art Prize
1999 North Sydney Fine Art – ˜The Definitive Horse Show’.
1998 North Sydney Fine Art – ˜December Collection’.
1997 Barry Stern Gallery – ˜4 Artists’.
1997 Finalist – Portia Geach Memorial Award
1997 Michael Cummerford Gallery, Bowral.
1997 Rocks Market Art Prize;
1996 Finalist – Mosman Art Prize
1996 Studio Pyrmont Exhibition.
1995 Finalist – Hunters Hill Art Prize
1994 Finalist – Mosman Art Prize

Exhibitions – International

2005 Macquarie International Portrait Artists Australia Exhibition Australian Embassy, Washington D.C. USA.
1997-2001 Custom Fine Art, Los Angeles, USA
1997 Henley & London, UK – commissions.

Constance Farquharson with her sitter NSW Parliament House 2009