Paintings with purposE

EQUESTRIAN ARTISTS

JENNIFER AND RON MARSHALL

Becoming famous for their beautiful Australian Light Horse paintings.We are a husband and wife team who were painting similar subjects ... Australian history, horse art and landscapes ... long before we met. Having similar interests, we are in the delightful position of working together researching, designing, painting our artworks using oil paints and sometimes pastel.Then reproducing these beautiful Light Horse Horse art paintings as high quality giclee fine art prints on canvas. We hope that you enjoy the wonderful stories of the Australian Light Horse that these equestrian paintings portray.
Ron & Jennifer Marshall
Ron and Jennifer first met in an art gallery in Mackay in December 1995– they had both admired each other’s work but had never met before– for they painted similar subjects in a similar style. 1996 MACKAY AIRPORT MURAL COMPETITION A few months later they bumped into each other again in the same gallery, Jennifer had just come from a meeting with the Director of the James Cook University Mackay Campus with the invitation to enter the 1996 Mackay Airport Mural Competition, and was rather incensed with his suggestion to work with another artist on the huge works, as she didn’t have the area to do it at her home. But Ron being a signwriter had experience with painting large works so she handed the entry form to him. Upon perusal Ron agreed to enter the competition, providing Jennifer would co-paint the entry. They won, and the paintings hung in the airport for two years, before relocating to the Mackay Tourism Information Centre. From that they were commissioned to do a second mural for a private residence. Jennifer’s marriage had broken up so she relocated to Gosford/Oberon/in NSW. Ron while visiting friends in Sydney called in and took her to meet to his former boss, the owner of Camden Signs, while visiting him they noticed something prophetic -on one wall hung one of Ron’s paintings of Clydesdales ploughing a field – on an adjacent wall hung one of Jennifer’s pastel paintings of Clydesdales snigging a log – they had been facing each other for 10 years!!! Their friendship endured and they married in December 2000. “You have no idea the delight it is to have someone who paints similar subjects in a similar way, as your closest dearest friend,” Jennifer says.
NEBO & MOUNT BRITTON COLLECTION
In 2001 they were commissioned by Nebo Shire Council to do a painting called “Historic Nebo” which was to be used in road signage. Pleased with that project the council then commissioned another painting “Historic Mount Britton” which was also used for road signage. They were also responsible for creating the Nebo Walk signage a series of 13 illustrated signs that depicted various aspects of the district, as well as the Nebo Recreation Grounds signage and the Mount Britton machinery and other signs on display at the old Mount Britton townsite. Ron & Jennifer fell in love with the old gold-mining site of Mount Britton, and that led to many camping trips to the scenic area and the study of its history and the painting of the MOUNT BRITTON COLLECTION, a series of 12 paintings relating to the pioneer gold-mining town. Large prints of these hang in the COURTHOUSE GALLERY at the NEBO MUSEUM.

LIGHT HORSE ART

In 2005 Ron decided he wanted to paint the Australian Light Horse, having had a foray many years earlier with painting Australian Artillery. “What do you want to paint war for”?” was Jennifer’s response- having not the slightest understanding of this important part of Australian history. Attendance at the first Light Horse Re-enactment and Reunion at Monto in October that year, began an interest that turned into a passion, for the true stories of the Australian Light Horsemen and their horses touched Jennifer deeply. It led to a great deal of research, thousands of photos of Light Horse re-enactors and a series of over forty original artworks which have been reproduced as Fine Art Giclee prints that now hang in private collections and Museums across the world, and have been featured in Military magazines.
In 2006 they moved to Warwick in southern Queensland, set up their studio and began seriously researching and painting the Australian Light Horse. They become involved with the Australian Light Horse Association and attended both Light Horse re-enactments demonstrations and heavy horse demonstrations from which they have a collection of many thousands of photos as reference material
SAS DONKEY INSERTION
In 2014 Ron and Jennifer were contacted by Ian Coate – resident artist for the Australian SAS in WA and asked to do a painting of the SAS using donkeys in Afghanistan in 2002, for their Golden Jubilee exhibition. The reasoning being, that if they could paint horses so well, they could also paint donkeys! Photos were supplied of the magnificent terrain and the donkeys used and an SAS operator posed in many positions with the light coming from the desired direction and the photos sent to Ron and Jennifer to create an idea – the layout was agreed upon and then a sudden message – STOP! The SAS Operator was in the wrong uniform! – it had apparently changed a number of times since 2002. The photos were retaken with the SAS Operator dressed in the correct gear, and the painting commenced. When finished and framed it was picked up by another former SAS Operative from their home in Warwick and somehow via various former and current SAS operatives it made its way unscathed to Perth for the OUT OF THE SHADOWS exhibition.
Jennifer says, “Although the setting is war, the paintings are about relationships. Amid the ghastliness of a battle field, even there is found something so supremely beautiful – the wonderful, powerful, mysterious relationship between human and horse.” “All our work starts with an idea. We may read a historical account or have taken a photo that generates that idea. Having generated a picture in my mind, I go about searching through my many thousands of photos. These paintings really do take a lot of research, a lot of planning, a lot of time even before the paintbrush is lifted to the canvas, and I find, a lot of emotional energy, but they are also extremely satisfying. We truly do paint with purpose. I enjoy creating a picture that has never existed before, I love it when it just works… but it takes a lot of effort and dedication – they don’t just fall out of our sleeve!”
“At the opening of the exhibition I was standing beside the former Governor General Maj -Gen Michael Jefferies, when two SAS Operators gave our painting very close inspection and turning remarked to us that it was the best painting in the exhibition and the artists had got the uniform exactly correct! “Thank you” I said – much to the surprise of them all – for none of them had realised they were talking to one of the artists!” DONKEY INSERTION is held in the SAS Museum- the 2nd largest Military Museum in Australia.

MORPETH GALLERY
Trevor Richards of Morpeth Gallery invited Ron and Jennifer to join his stable of top-quality artists in 2013, and from 2014 to 2017 held an exhibition of their LIGHT HORSE artworks around the ANZAC DAY weekend.
“You will see people cry” I told Trevor. It was something he had never seen before, and with each exhibition he did indeed see people so overcome with emotion that the tears did indeed flow – I have noticed something interesting many of those who cry the most are the ones who buy – because it speaks to their heart of something beautiful and honourable and courageous even in the most terrible times of conflict.”
Ron and Jennifer Marshall’s original artworks are held exclusively at Morpeth Gallery. https://www.morpethgallery.com/
BEERSHEBA MEDALLIONS CENTENARY PRESENTATION

Ron and Jennifer had their Charge of Beersheba artworks reproduced onto badges, pins, medallions, drink coolers and bar runners by ‘The Military Shop’, who produced commemorative “Australia in the Great War” memorabilia from 2014-2018. The Limited Edition silver medallion to commemorate the famous 1917 Charge of Beersheba by the Australian Light Horse was produced that featured both Ron’s “THE CHARGE” and Jennifer’s “MIDNIGHT”S LAST CHARGE”, and it was incorporated into a framed Certificate that was presented by the Mayor of Be’er Sheva Israel on the 31st October 2017 to the Prime Ministers of Australia, Israel and the Governor General of New Zealand. The Military Shop sells selected Ron & Jennifer Marshall’s Light Horse Art prints. https://militaryshop.com.au/collectables-gifts/artworks/
VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT MPS RECALL BEERSHEBA
In 2017 Jennifer was invited to speak briefly about Ron & Jennifer’s Marshall’s painting “CHAAAARRGE!” at two events in the Victorian Parliament House to commemorate the Australian Light Horse charge of Beersheba one hundred years earlier.“A COPY of a painting depicting the charge of the Australian Light Horse into Beersheba 100 years ago this week was presented at Victoria’s Parliament House on the October 31 centenary date, with Jewish leaders and state MPs in attendance.The artwork portraying the mounted Diggers, by military equestrian artists Ron and Jennifer Marshall of Warwick, Queensland, was presented at a reception in Parliament hosted by Sandringham Liberal MP Murray Thompson.Portrayed in the painting is Jewish Anzac, Major Eric Hyman, who was among the charging riders. Hyman won a Distinguished Service Order for his bravery when he and 13 of his men dismounted and attacked a redoubt of 60 Turkish machine-gunners.“How did 14 men in the open under no cover kill 60 entrenched Turks? Can you explain that? It was the hand of God,” Jennifer reflected to The AJN.” A large print of this painting also hangs in the Australian Light Horse Centre Memorial Museum in Be’er Sheva, Israel.
MEMORIAL SCULPTURE SEMAKH
In 2019 Jennifer, with Ron’s able assistance created a sculpture that commemorated both the fallen Light Horsemen at the battle at the Semakh Railway Station on the southern shore of the Sea of Gallilee on 25September 1918, and the considerable Aboriginal Troopers involvement in that battle. This was an important acknowledgement as they had never before been formerly recognised or honoured for their contribution.
“The model for this sculpture was the late John Pollard, a dear friend of ours whose grandfather Jack was one of the original Aboriginal troopers in that battle. Kneeling beside his horse at the grave of his fallen mate, he holds open a Military Issue New Testament. This New Testament had been found in an old rusty tobacco tin buried under some tin in an old property dump on the property John managed. His partner retrieved it after being shown in three consecutive dreams where it was and that she must get it and give it to John!!! His other hand outstretched clenched over the grave is designed to hold a bouquet of flowers. The original clay sculpture was 3-D scanned here in Brisbane and the file sent to Tel Aviv in Israel, where it was 3-D printed and erected on a plinth at the site of the battle of Semakh, and dedicated on 25 September 2019. Each year we are moved to see dignitaries from around the world laying wreaths at the base of the sculpture of Jack Pollard beside his horse, laying fresh flowers at the grave of his mate.”
After the unveiling of the Australian Light Horse sculpture at Kinneret College, Semakh 2019. This is Mark Pollard, brother to John Pollard who modelled for the sculpture, both were grandsons of Jack Pollard who fought in this battle. This is Mark’s remarkable speech. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax1VI3uJiZs
2023 SEMAKH BATTLE COMMEMORATION
(Note an error in the commentary: Jack Pollard survived this battle, in fact no Aboriginal was killed, but 19 white Australians died - mostly as they charged in the darkness before dawn .straight into enemy machine gun fire. As Ray Finn another grandson of an indigenous trooper noted to me with a twinkle in his eye after the dedication ceremony, “Do you know why no Aboriginals were killed?” I shook my head. “They were camouflaged - so long as they kept their mouth shut!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L5CJEzK9Mk
Biography
Ron Marshall uses what he calls the Mixed Technique, using acrylics, alkyds and oils to create amazing paintings of the Australian Light Horse. To this day, he is still experimenting with paint in order to achieve the effects he wants. Ron has combined his interest in horses and Australian Military heritage, working on a series of “The Australian Light Horse” for the Australia in the Great War centenary commemorations in 2017. Fine art prints of one of his paintings The Charge have found their way to the USA Cavalry Museum at Little Bighorn, and the Australian Light Horse Museum at Beer Sheba, Israel. Every scene that Ron paints is based on actual facts and he spends as much time on researching each image as he does painting it. Every detail is accurate. Horses, soldiers uniforms, field gear, terrain. This is why Ron paints his works so large it is so he can achieve the detail as even working at this size he is using the finest brush he can.Ron Marshall was born in 1938 and grew up in Sydney. Because of his artistic skills he began his sign writer apprenticeship at the age of 14 years and 10 months. Ron was always experimenting to find new and better ways to achieve the results he sought, and some of his discoveries soon became normal practice in the trade. Ron was much respected in the sign trade for his high standard of workmanship and artistic skills. It wasn’t long before Ron turned his attention to fine art. He associated or painted with such well-known traditional landscape artists as Doug Sealy, Les Graham and Robert Wilson. He earned the nickname of “Rainmaker” because it always seemed to rain whenever he came with them on a camping trip on which they intended to paint on site. Ron was fascinated by the techniques of the Old Masters, such as Rubens and Rembrandt, and studied their methods, used the same materials, and experimented with their techniques. During this stage he produced numerous copies of these masterpieces. He continued in the trade for over 40 years until retiring for health reasons in 1995 when he moved to Mackay, Queensland and began thinking about doing some serious painting.
Art Awards
Ron has never kept record of his exhibitions or awards before his alliance with Jennifer, however he did have a sell-out exhibition of his landscapes at Kirrabilli in the 1970's, and has sold paintings to the Australian Prime Ministers Department. He is not keen on enteringcompetitions but has recently shown locally.2009- Warwick Show -First Prize Landscape2008- Warwick Show -Second Prize -Landscape2007 Warwick Art Group Exhibition- Peoples Popular Choice2006 Warwick Art Prize - Commended
RON MARSHALL

RON MARSHALL

JENNIFER MARSHALL

JENNIFER MARSHALL

Exhibitions
(Joint Exhibitions as Jennifer Marshall with Ron Marshall)2007 Warwick Regional Art Gallery, Warwick - "Hoofbeats, History, Waves & Wilderness" 2007 Mudgeeraba Military Tatoo & Light Horse Tournament- “The Australian Light Horse" 2007 Queensland Mounted Infantry Historical Troop 20th Anniversary, Gaythorne RSL - "The Australian Light Horse"2006 Monto Light Horse Reunion & Re-enactment, Monto Showground- "The Australian Light Horse"2005 Old Town Hall, Mackay- " Hoofbeats, History, Waves & Wilderness"2005 Monto Light Horse Memorial Reunion & Re-enactment, Monto Showground "Australian Horses"2003 Nebo Shire Museum Courthouse Gallery- "The Mount Britton Collection(Exhibitions as Jennifer Jowett)1995- Entertainment Centre Mackay-joint exhibition with Fabian Micali1994- Entertainment Centre Mackay1989- Spirals Gallery, Rockhampton
Tutoring
2009-June Children's Class, Warwick Art group2009- March/April -Tutor of Drawing/Pastel Class, Wawick Art Group Inc 2009-January- Tutor- Children's Class, Warwick Art Group Inc1995- Tutor of Pastel/Painting Class James Cook University Mackay campus 1994- Tutor of Pastel, Acrylic Classes, James Cook University, Mackay campus. 1989- Tutor Pastel Workshop Pioneer Valley Art Group
Memberships
2006-2008 Warwick Art Group Inc.,2006-2009 Warick Art Gallery member and volunteer 2008-2009 Warwick Art Gallery Committee member 1993-1996 Pastel Society of Australia, Master Pastellist 1989-1996 Mackay Art Society.2007-2010 Equine Art Guild
RefereesDawn Marriage- President of Warwick Art Group Inc.Karina Devine- Director of Warwick Art Gallery
Artist's Statement
My first love was horses, and I studied them and drew them from a very early age, and so my skills of observation, and drawing began to be developed, and have grown with having horses of my own.A deep love of the Australian bush where I grew up, soon manifested itself in my landscapes.Later a fascination with our unique Australian history has combined with the love of the bush, horses and the country way of life, and developed into forays into painting aspects of that history.Meeting and later marrying Ron Marshall, a fellow artist who had similar interests, means that we are in the delightful position of being able to work together on our painting projects, sharing our passion for history and nature, and exploring techniques to better express this in our paintings.
Biography
Jennifer grew up the eldest daughter of a banana grower in the lush green Tweed District, where she developed a great love and appreciation of the Australian bush and rural life. However, her first passion was for horses, but being deprived of a horse, she read, studied, and drew horses at every opportunity from a very early age…. “so my skills of observation, and drawing began to be developed, always striving for perfection… if I had a horse my time would have been devoted to it – and not to developing my artistic skills!” Jennifer’s artistic talent was first recognised at Upper Burringbar Public School, a small 1-2 teacher school in Northern NSW and it was here she sold her first drawings and paintings. This happened quite by accident! “At primary school I was a real loner”, she says, “the other kids no doubt thought I was mad, lost in my own little world, pretending to be a horse or with a horse! However, I became very much in demand for drawing all sorts of things, such as birthday cards for the other kids in our little school. I got thoroughly sick of drawing what everyone else wanted and told them they’d have to pay me- There was nothing entrepreneurial about this … all I wanted was some peace to dream of horses! I honestly thought they would go away and leave me alone. It didn’t work! When I was about 10 years old my great uncle Perce left me his watercolour paints in his will, and this was when I first started to paint. I sold my first paintings to school kids, their parents and even the builder working on the school teachers residence next door! At Murwillumbah High School her Art Teacher, Bob Powter became one of her most important artistic influences. He was a potter, not a painter, but from him Jennifer learned the basics.“One day he declared that my sky was too blue, that I’d painted a ‘Mediterranean sky, not an Australian sky with all its dust…’ Now the world I lived in was a green world, I knew nothing of the dusty dry outback then, and I certainly wasn’t painting it! Indignant, I grabbed my painting in one hand and his hand with the other and led him outside and held my painting up to the sky – the real sky was bluer than my painted sky! He said nothing, but smiled as we returned to the classroom, no doubt delighted that I had plucked up the courage to defend myself and amused at the look of triumph on my face!” When Jennifer finished school, he gave her an artist’s palette and told her, ‘You can draw and never forget it!’ She hasn’t. Jennifer was within the top 10 art students in the 1973 New South Wales Higher School Certificate in NSW but chose to do a Dip.Ed. in General Primary Teaching at Northern Rivers College of Advanced Education in Lismore, (now the Southern Cross University) rather than go to art school in Sydney. “I did not want to be forced to paint what was to me meaningless abstract art.” During this time Jennifer was selling works in local galleries under her maiden name of Jowett.Jennifer began teaching Kindergarten at Trundle Central School, and soon was able to buy her first horse, Ben, a 16 ½ bay thoroughbred, and they formed that unbreakable bond of love and trust that she had longer for and which she later discovered the Australian Light Horsemen and their horses shared and which made them such a formidable fighting force. Married in 1978 she lived in several different central New South Wales locations, raising a family and exhibiting her work in local galleries and country New South Wales exhibitions, winning numerous awards, including Peoples Popular Choice Awards. From 1988 until 2006 Jennifer lived in the Mackay region, again exhibiting locally and winning many awards including Open, Representational, Traditional, Pastel, Portrait, and Peoples Popular Choice Awards. In 1993 Jennifer was accepted as a "Master Pastellist" by the Pastel Society of Australia, She is considered to be one of the very best in this field within Australia. In 1994 and 1995 she tutored pastel classes at James Cook University's Mackay Campus.
Awards
2017 – MORPETH GALLERY, NSW, “Australian Light Horse”2016 - MORPETH GALLERY, NSW “Australian Light Horse”2015 - MORPETH GALLERY, NSW “Australian Light Horse”2014 - MORPETH GALLERY, NSW “Australian Light Horse”2013 - EMU GULLY AIR AND LAND SPECTACULAR “Australian Light Horse”2013 - MICK BRADFORDS HEAVY HORSE DAY “Australian Light Horse”2012 - EMU GULLY AIR AND LAND SPECTACULAR “Australian Light Horse”2012 - HISTORY ALIVE, Fort Lytton, Brisbane. “Australian Light Horse”2012 – GATTON HEAVY HORSE DAY “Australian Light Horse & Heavy Horse”2011 - EMU GULLY AIR AND LAND SPECTACULAR “Australian Light Horse”2010 - EMU GULLY AIR AND LAND SPECTACULAR “Australian Light Horse”2009 - EMU GULLY AIR AND LAND SPECTACULAR “Australian Light Horse”2008 – MONTO LIGHT HORSE RE_ENACTMENT & REUNION “Australian Light Horse”2007 – MUDGEERABA Light Horse Re-enactment - “Australian Light Horse” 2009- Ex Arte Equinus-International Equestrian Art Competition- 3rd Place2009- Horses in Art- First prize front cover competition2009- Warwick Show-Champion of Show, First Prize Fauna/Flora2008- Warwick Show- First Prize-Drawing, First Prize-Native Fauna/Flora2007- Ex Arte Equinus- International Equine Art Exhibition -Painting 3rd place, Drawing 5th place2007- Queensland Festival of the Horse, Gold Edition Equine Art Prize- Popular Choice Award 2006- Warwick Art Prize - Hangers Award2005- Airlie Beach Maritime Exhibition - Commended2002- Highlands to the Islands exhibition run by Milton House Gallery, Mackay - 2nd Prize 2001- Wallace & Wallace Portrait Prize run by Milton House Gallery, Mackay 1st Prize 1989-1996 I exhibited in exhibitions in the Mackay area of Queensland and won many Peoples Popular Choice, Traditional, Pastel and Open Awards, including...1996- Mackay Airport Mural Competition- Winning Award with Ron Marshall1996- Pioneer Valley Arts Exhibition- Major Open Award1996- Sarina Visual Arts Competition - Major Open Award1995-Pioneer Valley Arts Exhibition-Traditional Award, & Peoples Popular Choice Award.1994- Sarina Visual Arts Competition - Open Award1993- Sarina Visual Arts Competition -Traditional Landscape Award 1991- Mackay Artists & Art Competition - Peoples Popular Choice Award1990- Pioneer Valley Art Exhibition -Peoples Popular Choice1990- Mackay Artists & Art Competition, - Peoples Popular Choice Award1979-1989 I won many awards, and Peoples Popular Choice prizes in country NSW exhibitions,although my memory is too hazy to be at all accurate.1989- Pioneer Valley Art Exhibition -Peoples Popular Choice1989- Mackay Artists & Art Competition, - Peoples Popular Choice Award1985- Singleton -Peoples Popular Choice1979- Cowra Art Exhibition -Very Very Very Very Highly Commended, & Peoples Popular Choice 1979- Lyndhurst - Traditional Award
Product Details
Giclee reproductions archival inkjet print on fine art paper or canvas is delivered rolled in a tube, or if canvas stretched ready to hang is selected, the artwork is delivered packed in a cardboard box. All print reproductions come with a Certificate of Authenticity which has the story that inspired the artwork. Shipping is included in the sale price. See FAQ page for further details.