Multitude

Norman Long first exhibited with Gavagan Art in August 2024, in an exhibition called ‘Summer Observations’.

Norman’s new exhibition: Multitude, will be on display at Low Wood Bay, Windermere, between June – September 2026. These new paintings include a number of large figurative compositions and smaller observational studies. These studies of individuals often capture the relationship between people in public spaces, at the beach, in a crowd or in a townscape setting.

Norman Long (1976) was born in Preston and studied at  Newcastle University. In 2008 he was awarded a scholarship for Postgraduate study at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art.

An enthusiastic member of The Northern Boys outdoor painting group, Norman often works outdoors. For his figurative works, he combines painting from life with observational drawings, invention, photography and memory to convey the veracity of life.

There are a number of paintings in this exhibition which capture the bustle and excitement of a large moving crowd. In these large studies it is often possible to focus on one or two individuals within the larger group, as in daily life.

Sketching people unawares is one of the most exciting, unpredictable experiences an artist can have. There is an urgency to capture character and relationships before the subject moves or the light changes.” – Norman Long 2024

The large triptych – Frieze, forms the centre piece of the Multitude exhibition. This is a work in progress, and Norman will be working on this painting during the summer. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

A number of the smaller canvases in this exhibition depict individual groups: on the beach, relaxing, running or just reading. The painting ‘Twisting By The Pool’, is one of the more complex paintings in this group.

Though I love to paint outdoors, I have never been tied to one mode of working. Even when painting the model in the studio, I am happy for photography, drawing, invention and memory to feed into the work. One hallmark of my artistic heroes such as Rembrandt or Degas is the ability to move seamlessly between observation and invention.” – Norman Long 2024

Venice is the setting for two of the figurative works in the exhibition. Norman has made a number of studies in Venice in recent years, often painting outside, capturing the light and atmosphere.

My range of subjects (portrait, figure, cafes, still life, landscape…) allows me to always feel the freshness of a beginner. The discovery of new techniques is also fundamental to my interest in making paintings.” 

The energy and enjoyment of using oil paint can be seen in the painting – San Marco Flight. All of the works in this exhibition are either oil paint on canvas, oil on board or oil on linen.

The paintings below are available. More works from this exhibition will be added to this online exhibition.

The full exhibition can be viewed each day at Low Wood Bay, Windermere.