Roses, Held in Light

Roses, Held in Light was painted from life using traditional oil techniques. The composition explores the quiet presence of roses emerging gently from a dark, atmospheric ground, allowing light to become the unifying force of the painting.

Expressive, visible brushwork celebrates the richness and material beauty of oil paint, while maintaining a sense of calm and intimacy. The flowers are not arranged for spectacle, but for harmony — held together by light, tone, and subtle colour relationships.

A small figurine is included as a quiet narrative element, introducing scale and a gentle human presence without disturbing the stillness of the scene.

This work is intended as a timeless still life — contemplative, warm, and suited to spaces that invite slow looking. The painting is signed in the front and will come with a certificate of authenticity.

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Marjan is passionate about classical drawing and painting. She studied for several years in Florence at the Accademia delle Belle Arti di Firenze. She won a scholarship to the prestigious Russian Academy of Art, Florence, where she studied advanced drawing and painting, involving still life, portrait and compositions. Marjan then studied with Master Charles H. Cecil at his Florence studio, where she learned the principles of “sight-size” drawing and painting in relation to portrait and figure. Charles Cecil greatly influenced and inspired Marjan to study the narrative and composition techniques of classical western art.
Since migrating to Australia, Marjan's professional focus has been on narrative and portrait drawing and painting. She particularly admires the Pre-Raphaelites with their emphasis on poetry, story-telling and mood.
Marjan brings her passion for and experience of traditional art to contemporary audiences. She places great emphasis on drawing as fundamental for painting. In drawing she use a range of media such as sepia, charcoal, pastel, pen and ink and mixed media. Marjan stresses the importance of line in drawing as a means of creating rhythm and character. Her brilliant oil painting technical skills include Alla Prima (wet in wet), palette knife techniques and mainly the traditional "layered" approaches which include glazing and "scumbling". Marjan has produced a wide variety of works, including many private portrait commissions.
Marjan is a world-class artist. She has won multiple awards both internationally (New York and Europe) and in Australia, including in acquisitive competitions. She is regularly shortlisted in competitions overseas and in Australia.
Marjan has won the major 2D award in Du Rietz Art Award 2020, QLD and became a finalist in the prestigious Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award 2020, NSW