Donald Stuart Leslie Friend: A Life in Art Early Life and Artistic Beginnings Born: February 6, 1915, in Cremorne, Sydney, Australia. Donald Stuart Leslie Friend’s artistic journey commenced at the Royal Art Society in 1930 under the tutelage of Sydney Long. His early exposure to art laid the foundation for a lifelong dedication to painting and drawing. Artistic Evolution and Influences Friend furthered his education at the Westminster School in London (1936), where he was influenced by Bernard Meninsky and Mark Gertler. A pivotal period of artistic growth occurred during his t…