Annabel Kidston facts for kids

Annabel A Kidston (1896–1981) was a talented Scottish artist. She was known for her paintings using both oil and watercolours. Annabel was also skilled at etching, engraving, and illustrating books.

Annabel Kidston: A Scottish Artist

Annabel Kidston was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1896. She began her art journey at the Glasgow School of Art. She studied there from 1914 to 1920.

Her Art Education and Early Career

After Glasgow, Annabel traveled to Paris, France. There, she trained with a famous artist named André Lhote. She attended the Académie de la Grande Chaumière.

When she returned to Scotland, Annabel became a teacher. She led the art department at Laurel Bank School in Glasgow for three years. In 1926, she decided to study more. She enrolled at the Slade School of Fine Art in London. There, she learned wood engraving from Thomas Smith.

Joining Art Groups and Wartime Work

In 1927, Annabel joined the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists. The next year, she won their special Lauder Award. This showed her growing talent.

During World War II, Annabel helped with the war effort. She worked for the Committee for the Education for the Forces. She taught art and painting classes to soldiers. Many of these soldiers were from Poland. They were stationed in St Andrews, Scotland, during the war.

Living in St Andrews, Annabel became part of a group of artists. This group included Józef Sękalski, Alison McKenzie, and Winifred McKenzie. They wanted to promote wood engraving as an art form. This group became known as the St Andrews School. Annabel held several important roles within this group. From 1947 to 1950, she also taught part-time. She was a lecturer at the Dundee College of Art.

Book Illustrations and Exhibitions

Annabel Kidston illustrated several books during her career. In 1927, she illustrated two books by Matthew Arnold. These were The Forsaken Merman and The Scholar Gipsy.

Her artwork was often shown in major exhibitions. She regularly exhibited with the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts. She also showed her work at the Royal Scottish Academy. At least once, her art was displayed at the Royal Academy in London.

Annabel had two sisters, Helen and Margaret. They were also artists. After living in St Andrews for many years, Annabel Kidston passed away in 1981. She died in North Berwick, East Lothian.