Biography
Margaret Rose McPherson was born on the 27th of April, 1875 in Port Adelaide to David McPherson, who was a Scottish Marine engineer and Prudence McPherson. Her sister, Ethelwynne was born in 1877, meaning she was the eldest of two daughters Her family had called her by her middle name, 'Rose', ever since she was born, until she was in her mid 30's and was referred to by her given name, Margaret. She attended Fort Street Girls' High School for two years, after her family moved in 1885 to Sydney.
Her passion for painting started at the age of twelve through China painting and had private lessons with William Lister Lister. Using her preliminary training with Lister LIster, Preston began studying at the National Gallery of Victoria Art School in 1889, under Fredrick McCubbin. Her education was interrupted in 1894 by her ill father,forcing her to visit her home town of Adelaide to be with her family. After the death of her father in 1896, she resumed her studies at the National Gallery of Victoria Art School with Bernard Hall, where his teachings including her to draw with nude models , a task Preston loathed. She preferred to work peacefully on still life in an adjoining studio. Her developed skills had been exposed throughout her training, helping her to win in various drawing awards, including the prominent Still Life Scholarship in 1897. In 1898, she advanced her studies under H.P. Gills and Hans Heysen at the Adelaide's School of Design. Leon Gellert, writer, poet, and co-publisher of 'Art of Australia', was also a student at the time with Preston and had recalled her as 'a lively redhead who figured prominently at the school…she was either an advanced student or an instructor of some sort'.
In 1899, Preston began taking in students for private lessons while attending Adelaide's School of Design, and established her own teaching studio in the AMP building.Teaching helped her to support her family and to help advance her artistic skills. Some of the notable students among Preston's private lessons included Bessie Davidson, Gladys Reynell, and Stella Brown- who referred to Preston as red headed little firebrand of a woman who was not only an excellent painter, but a most inspiring teacher. Preston later taught at St. Peter's College, Adelaide and Presbyterian Ladies College, Adelaide.
In 1911, Preston was commissioned for a portrait of Catherine Helen Spence by the citizens' committee of Adelaide. In late December 1919, at age 44, she married William George Preston, who had been a recently discharged second lieutenant. The pair met on Margaret Preston's return trip to Australia from Europe. Leon Gellert, a friend of Margaret Preston, described their marriage as the handsome and worshipful Bill seemed to regard it as a national duty to keep his beloved Margaret happy and artistically productive. The Preston's moved to Mosman in 1920 because they believed that it would be a strong influence on Margaret Preston's artistic development. While living in Mosman, her reputation became strongly established.
From 1920 to 1963, the Prestons lived in a various addresses and locations, excluding the seven years they lived in the bush of Berowra during the 1930's. The Preston's settled in a flat at Musgrave street, Mosman, which gave an extraordinary view of Sydney Harbour. In 1922 the Prestons settled in at Park Avenue for ten years.
Preston recalled her years of being inspired by Australian artists and flourishing interest in her article "From Eggs to Electrolux", which was published in Sydney Ure Smith's "Art in Australia" in 1927. The article provided an understanding of Preston's personality and celebrated ego through an emotional recollection of her life, written at the height of her career, at age 52.
Between 1932 and 1939, the Prestons lived in Berowra, where Margaret Preston started introducing a natural cultural identity into Australian art.
The Prestons moved back to Mosman after living in Berowra for ten years, which were folled by Margaret Preston's death on the 28th of May 1963. Her final series of prints gave a reflection of religion, and has thought to be inspired by Blake Prize.
Her passion for painting started at the age of twelve through China painting and had private lessons with William Lister Lister. Using her preliminary training with Lister LIster, Preston began studying at the National Gallery of Victoria Art School in 1889, under Fredrick McCubbin. Her education was interrupted in 1894 by her ill father,forcing her to visit her home town of Adelaide to be with her family. After the death of her father in 1896, she resumed her studies at the National Gallery of Victoria Art School with Bernard Hall, where his teachings including her to draw with nude models , a task Preston loathed. She preferred to work peacefully on still life in an adjoining studio. Her developed skills had been exposed throughout her training, helping her to win in various drawing awards, including the prominent Still Life Scholarship in 1897. In 1898, she advanced her studies under H.P. Gills and Hans Heysen at the Adelaide's School of Design. Leon Gellert, writer, poet, and co-publisher of 'Art of Australia', was also a student at the time with Preston and had recalled her as 'a lively redhead who figured prominently at the school…she was either an advanced student or an instructor of some sort'.
In 1899, Preston began taking in students for private lessons while attending Adelaide's School of Design, and established her own teaching studio in the AMP building.Teaching helped her to support her family and to help advance her artistic skills. Some of the notable students among Preston's private lessons included Bessie Davidson, Gladys Reynell, and Stella Brown- who referred to Preston as red headed little firebrand of a woman who was not only an excellent painter, but a most inspiring teacher. Preston later taught at St. Peter's College, Adelaide and Presbyterian Ladies College, Adelaide.
In 1911, Preston was commissioned for a portrait of Catherine Helen Spence by the citizens' committee of Adelaide. In late December 1919, at age 44, she married William George Preston, who had been a recently discharged second lieutenant. The pair met on Margaret Preston's return trip to Australia from Europe. Leon Gellert, a friend of Margaret Preston, described their marriage as the handsome and worshipful Bill seemed to regard it as a national duty to keep his beloved Margaret happy and artistically productive. The Preston's moved to Mosman in 1920 because they believed that it would be a strong influence on Margaret Preston's artistic development. While living in Mosman, her reputation became strongly established.
From 1920 to 1963, the Prestons lived in a various addresses and locations, excluding the seven years they lived in the bush of Berowra during the 1930's. The Preston's settled in a flat at Musgrave street, Mosman, which gave an extraordinary view of Sydney Harbour. In 1922 the Prestons settled in at Park Avenue for ten years.
Preston recalled her years of being inspired by Australian artists and flourishing interest in her article "From Eggs to Electrolux", which was published in Sydney Ure Smith's "Art in Australia" in 1927. The article provided an understanding of Preston's personality and celebrated ego through an emotional recollection of her life, written at the height of her career, at age 52.
Between 1932 and 1939, the Prestons lived in Berowra, where Margaret Preston started introducing a natural cultural identity into Australian art.
The Prestons moved back to Mosman after living in Berowra for ten years, which were folled by Margaret Preston's death on the 28th of May 1963. Her final series of prints gave a reflection of religion, and has thought to be inspired by Blake Prize.