top of page

MARJORIE THOMSEN 13 November 1926 - 26 November 2020

Marjorie was a member of Fordingbridge Art Club for many years and sadly passed away in November 2020.  In recognition of her contribution and commitment to the club we have dedicated this page to celebrate her life and some of her inspirational artwork.

Born in Cairo (Egypt), whilst her father was working there, Marjorie lived most of her life in London until she moved down to Hampshire for retirement. She has always been a keen artist, completing a 3 year Art Diploma at Hertfordshire College of Art (St. Albans) and part time study at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London. When Marjorie was 21, she took a return trip to Cairo, where she painted ‘Heliopolis Cairo’ (1947) [photo below].

 

For 16 years she worked as a graphic designer, for the Ministry of Information, before raising a family. Primarily a water colour artist, Marjorie also painted with oils and latterly acrylics and some collage. Inspired by her local surroundings and plants, she developed her own style of abstract art, which would often develop into a series of paintings. Her great experience and love of painting were passed on, by teaching others, at Adult Education classes for many years.

 

Even as a busy mother of two young children, Marjorie would set herself a few hours ‘quiet time’ in the afternoon, when she would read or paint. Visiting exhibitions where her paintings were being shown, was a day out for her children in the school holidays, the most exciting being a trip to London when one of her paintings was accepted in an exhibition at the Royal Academy. 

 

Always sketching and painting, on a family holiday visiting Venice in 1980, Marjorie stopped to do a little water colour sketch in her notebook, and just used the water to hand from the canals [photo attached]. Little books for outdoor sketches, and jotting ideas, were usually where the inspiration for future paintings began.

 

Retiring to Hampshire was an easy choice because Marjorie and her husband spent many weekends, throughout their working life, sailing their boat from Hayling Island. First moving to Havant in 1987, and then to Fordingbridge in 2009, she was keenly involved in the local arts scene. Marjorie joined local art groups, participated many times in the Hampshire Art Trail, and exhibited in various exhibitions in Chichester, Havant, Southampton and Winchester, as well as locally with the Fordingbridge Art Club.

 

Marjorie joined Fordingbridge Art Club soon after moving to Fordingbridge and was an active member up until her death. The FAC committee was struggling to find members to help with organising events but in 2015 Marjorie stepped up and provided sound advice and a helping hand up until late 2019. Her passion for art was evident and she and Annie, the club secretary, and then from 2019 Judy Wheaton, a committee member, managed the Sketch Club together.

Double click on any painting to view the gallery.

Marjorie -  painting outdoors-1.jpg
Marjorie Thomsen-1.JPG
bottom of page