Early Life and Education Born: Bessie Ellen Davidson, May 22, 1879, in North Adelaide, South Australia Family Background: Daughter of David Davidson (mining industry) and Ellen Johnson Davidson. Descendant of sculptor William Gowan and painter Frances Gowan. Education: Advanced School for Girls (with a strong drawing strand). Early Training: Studied art with Rose McPherson (Margaret Preston) from 1899. Early Exhibitions: Began exhibiting with the South Australian Society of Arts in 1901. European Studies and Artistic Development Travel to Europe: Traveled to Europe with Marg…