Lilian neilson

WANTED ………….We are currently seeking work by this artist so do contact us if you are thinking of selling.

Lilian (or Lil to her friends ) Neilson born Kirkcaldy, 1938, died Aberdeen, January 6, 1998 at the age of 60 years

Lil Neilson studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art from 1956-60, including a summer school at Hospitalfield House, Arbroath where she became great friends with Joan Eardley. She completed a post-diploma year tutored by Hugh Crawford and Alberto Morroco in 1960-61 and was awarded a travelling scholarship to France and Italy in 1961-62.

On her return she joined Joan Eardley in Catterline and Eardley invited Lil to paint in the studio she and Annette Stephen shared in there. Like many other painters and visitors, Lil became enthralled with the place.

At this time Lil also worked backstage with Reet Guenigault in theatres including the Traverse in Edinburgh and also in England, returning to Catterline to nurse Eardley when her illness was diagnosed in the new year of 1963. Reet joined them three months later to take over to give Lil a rest, and after Eardley's death in August of that year Lil bought No 2 South Side, Catterline, to make her home in one half and studio at the other end.

Some pictures of this period show Catterline views which Eardley famously painted, especially with the great round moons low in the summer sky. Neilson's foregrounds are less detailed and the viewer's eyes are often led upwards towards the sky.

Other interiors often depict the cliff top cottages where they lived among the local fishing community. The window was the only form of natural light so these images depict the gas and oil lights from decades before. The light flooding in from this reflects on to the wall and ceiling .

Her work has become increasing sought after and examples are held in many public galleries