Sophie Atkinson facts for kids

Sophie Atkinson (born Sophia Mildred Atkinson, 28 November 1876 – 5 May 1972) was a talented English artist. She was known for her beautiful watercolour paintings of landscapes and her illustrations in books.

Who Was Sophie Atkinson?

Sophie Atkinson was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, on November 28, 1876. Art ran in her family! Her father, Matthew Hutton Atkinson, was a painter. Her grandfathers, George Clayton Atkinson and William Adamson, were also artists.

Her Art Education

Sophie learned to paint at several art schools. She studied at the Newcastle School of Art. She also attended Armstrong College in Newcastle, where she was taught by R.G. Hatton. Later, she went to the Sir Hubert von Herkomer School near London to continue her training.

Sophie's Travels and Art

Sophie Atkinson loved to travel, and her journeys often inspired her art.

Life in Corfu

Around the year 1900, Sophie lived on the beautiful island of Corfu. Her time there led to a special book called An Artist in Corfu, which was published in 1911. She wrote the book herself and filled it with her own watercolour paintings.

Adventures After World War I

After World War I, Sophie traveled even more. She visited India, a country with many vibrant scenes. She also explored places like Denmark, Dresden in Germany, and the Tyrol region.

In 1924, after the death of painter John Atkinson, Sophie moved to California. From there, she made her way to western Canada. She used special passes from the Canadian Pacific Railway that allowed artists and writers to travel for free. This let her explore Canada from British Columbia all the way to cities like Calgary, Ottawa, and Montreal.

Life in Revelstoke and Later Years

In 1949, Sophie Atkinson settled in Revelstoke, British Columbia, a town in Canada.

Her Art in Canada

Sophie was a very skilled artist. She painted many different subjects, including:

• Still lifes (paintings of objects)
• Landscapes (paintings of nature)
• Scenes of Indian villages
• Townscapes and city scenes, like the railway yards in Revelstoke

Sophie also helped other artists. In 1962, she started the Revelstoke Art Club.

Exhibitions and Recognition

Sophie Atkinson's artwork was shown in many exhibitions. Her paintings were displayed in British Columbia, including at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. She also had exhibitions in Montreal, Calgary, and Revelstoke in Canada, and in London, England.

Around 1968, Sophie returned to Britain. She settled in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she passed away on May 5, 1972.