Isabel Brodie Babianska facts for kids

Isabel Brodie Babianska (born February 5, 1920 – died 2006) was a talented Scottish artist. She was a painter and helped start a group called the New Scottish Group. Isabel also designed costumes and stage sets for shows, drew pictures for books, and even worked as a model!

Early Life

Isabel Dalziel Brodie was born in Glasgow, Scotland. Her father worked with metal in the city's shipyards. He saw her artistic talent early on and always encouraged her to draw and paint.

Art School Days

Glasgow School of Art, where Babianska studied.

Following her father's encouragement, Isabel studied at the Glasgow School of Art. She attended from 1936 to 1940. In 1939, she won a special scholarship to travel and study in London. However, World War II started soon after. Because of the war, she stayed in Glasgow and returned the scholarship money.

That same year, she showed a painting of herself called 'Reflection'. It was displayed at the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts. In 1940, Glasgow City Council bought this painting. It is now part of the collection at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. The painting shows Isabel next to her easel, holding paintbrushes. After graduating from Glasgow, she continued her studies at the Hospitalfield School of Art in 1941.

Creative Career

In 1941, Isabel Brodie was asked by Glasgow Corporation to create murals. These large paintings were for the YMCA headquarters on Bath Street. She worked on this project with her close friend, Marie de Banzie.

Together, Isabel and Marie designed costumes and stage sets for the Celtic Ballet. They worked on many shows, including Macbeth and Tam O'Shanter. Isabel also drew pictures for a magazine called Scottish Art and Letters. She designed the cover for Poetry Scotland No.2 as well.

Isabel was a founding member of the New Art Club. She also helped start the New Scottish Group. J.D. Fergusson was the president of this group. Isabel regularly showed her artwork with the New Scottish Group.

She also showed her art at the 1947 Edinburgh International Festival. This event took place at Murrayfield, with the Society of Independent Scottish Artists.

Later, Isabel continued to paint in London. She also had a successful career as a fashion model. She worked for famous agencies like Dior. Her pictures appeared on the covers of many fashion magazines, including Vogue. Isabel later ran a modeling agency called Whittaker Model Agency. She took over the business from her friend Michael Whittaker. She managed the agency until she passed away in 2006.

Personal Life

Isabel signed her early paintings with her maiden name, Isabel Brodie. In 1943, she married Count Tomasz Babianski. He was a Polish pilot officer. After their marriage, she began to show her art as Isabel Babianska.

Isabel and Tomasz had two daughters. Their first daughter, Monica, was born in 1945. Their second daughter, Irena, was born in 1946. This was after the family had moved to London.