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LATEST NEWS | 2021 to 2024
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!
Rise and Shine (Cockatiels)
Award of Excellence | Holmes Prize 2024
60 x 51cm
Watercolour on 2000gsm museum board
Now available as a stunning open edition giclée print
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1st Place WINNER
ArtandColor365 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.
House Hunting (Eastern Rosellas)
Award of Excellence | Holmes Prize 2023
34.6 x 41.4cm
Watercolour on 2000gsm museum board
Now available as a superb Limited Edition Giclée Print
Frances is overjoyed to have WON BEST IN SHOW for the Holmes Prize 2022!
This is a prestigious art prize, showcasing Australia's best realistic bird artists. Only 35 finalists were selected nationwide.
Original painting acquired into the collection of Dr Gary Holmes.
BEST IN SHOW WINNER
Holmes Prize for Excellence in Realistic Australian Bird Art 2022
Showing Off (Sulphur-crested Cockatoos)
BEST IN SHOW | Holmes Prize 2022
62.2 x 46.3cm
Watermedia on 2000gsm museum board
Now available as a superb Limited Edition Giclée Print
OCTOBER 2021
Frances McMahon Watercolour Bird Artist is now open for business!
After over a decade of working very boring and tedious jobs as a medical receptionist, Frances took the plunge into the world of professional art at 56 years.
As a former graphic designer, she had "tremendous fun" designing her Crimson Chat logo which was inspired by "The Tricoloured Trio", a painting that was a 2021 finalist in her first year of entering the Holmes Prize.
Since 2021, her career has gone from strength to strength. She is now considered one of Australia's premier bird artists.
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