Leonard Long

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Leonard Long (1911- ) is an Australian painter of the Australian School of landscape painters.

Born the son of a baker on 25 April 1911 in Summer Hill NSW, Leonard Hugh Long AOM is a highly respected and successful 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, little knowing then the part that art would play in his future. He started his working life as a watch-maker in nearby Bowral later moving to Nowra for work.^[1]

As a young man Len was a keen 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 Len and Mary settled in Nowra where they raised their family, in 1936 having twins Ray and Barry and in 1938 daughter Carmel. By 1939 Len 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, Leonard sold his watch-making business to his partner and began full-time painting in 1955.^[1]

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 calleries around the world.^[1]

Long moved to Melbourne in 1980 where he still lives. At the beginning of 2008, Len continues to paint every day. At age 96 he attributes his continued health to an active life and a medicinal scotch in the afternoon.

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