Fine Art Prints by Frances Lennon MBE MA -Medium pen and ink drawings and caricatures depicting memories from circa 1920 to 1950
Frances born in 1912 affectionately known as the 'Peoples Artist' is now one of the North West's most important artist ! As a child she discovered a natural talent for drawing the sights around her - the street scenes of children playing, grocery shops stocked with ever
y conceivable item and people in all their great diversity. She drew for friends and family, but a career as an artist was never considered at that time. Instead, she worked, as a draughtsman's assistant in a Manchester engineering company Metro Vickers/ GEC in Trafford Park. Frances was always found time to draw and one day she was called into see the manager. She thought that she was about to be dismissed for doodling in company time. Instead having first noted her drawing skills, the company offered her a commission and she became there social artist. As the world gradually changed and the landscape of her childhood disappeared forever, she discovered that she had a photographic memory for the vividness, the details and the atmosphere of the time. It was her husband Bill who encouraged her to paint these memories. Sadly, he died in 1982 and it was this great loss in her life that somehow motivated her to begin, well into her 70's, painting in earnest. So begin a prolific outpouring of artistic energies that continues to this day. Frances is now 101 and although not producing works of art anymore her last commission was at the age of 92. Frances was given the chance to sell one of her first paintings at the age of 75 to Winston Churchill, great grandson of the former war time Prime Minister. Rather then selling it Frances asked him to donate the money for the painting to her local general hospital, Trafford General. Frances has exhibited along side many great northern artists including, Helen Bradley MBE, Geoff Birks, Tom Dobson and Bob Richardson. The huge interest in her work was not forseen by Frances. It did not occur to her that the public would be entranced by her natural abilities to capture the spirits of an era now gone, that inspired her to produce a book entitled ' A Manchester Childhood', which became a best seller at the Lowry Art Center. Affectionately none as 'The Peoples Artist'; she is now one of the North Wests most important artists, and her widespread acclaim culminated in her appointment as Official Artist of the XV11 Commonwealth Games in 2002. Frances embarked on a series of paintings to commemorate both the Games and Her Majesty the Queens Golden Jubilee. The vision and style of Frances Lennon's works is unique, a natural reflection of her personality. Her art has qualities that are simple unavailable in much of British art today:
WARMTH
HAPPINESS
INNOCENCE
HUMOUR
LOVE OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING CHILDREN
Frances shows a natural affection for the streets of the North and the endlessly fascinating people who populate them. Her works display strong personnel integrity, free from the suffocating influences of an art establishment that at the time would have found such works naive. Frances has her own distinctive charm and a positive warmth that displays her unique style in every work. Frances love for her family especially her grandchildren now on her 5th generation!! inspired her to produce wonderful whimsical drawings and works of art of fairies and magical characters' also produced as children's fairy tale books- some still yet to be published. Now with many commissions under her belt such as the Asda Commission for there New Eastland Superstore. The Trafford Centre commissioned her to produce a painting for there 5th birthday celebrating. Also in 2004 she was commissioned by Sports England to produce there official painting to commemorate the nest Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in 2006 in Melbourne, Australia. In 2004 Frances was included in the New Years Honours list and awarded an MBE for contribution to the arts in Manchester and the North capital and her support of charities like the Kirsty Appeal and Francis House. Frances has now been honoured by the University of Salford and the Manchester Metropolitan University with to Honary Degrees MA'S (Master of Arts) once again, recognition for her services to the arts in the North West and for bringing an enthusiasm for art to all age groups. Frances was awarded a 'Life Time Achievement Award' from Trafford her local borough, this was the first time Trafford had ever awarded anyone this honour. The Public acclaim has not changed her in anyway. Frances continued with her active community work, she was a local ambassador for Atlantic Scholar Exchanges, and continued to visit local schools to help give encouragement and inspiration to the latest generation of Children. She takes the greatest pleasure in helping others to find delight and happiness in the world around them. Through the legacy of her artworks, she will continue to do just that.
