This is a stunning little painting by the Scottish artist, Irene Halliday.
Irene Halliday was born in 1931 in Kingsmuir, Scotland.
She attended Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee between 1948 and 1953, studying under Alberto Morrocco.
From 1956-1979 she worked at Didsbury College of Education becoming Head of Art and Design.
She spent an academic year as a visiting professor at State University College, Buffalo, New York State from 1972 to 1973. She left full-time teaching at Manchester Polytechnic in 1979 but continued to teach summer schools in Alston, Hull, Lancashire and Harrogate.
Irene Halliday was elected to the Royal Society of Watercolourists in 1955.
She has exhibited at the Royal Academy in London, the Royal Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts and elsewhere in England, Scotland and the United States.
In 2002, Halliday returned to live in Arbroath where she was inspired by the sea coast and land around her home.
This is a fabulous painting by her which has been painted in thick water-based gouache paint on board.
The composition shows a little terracotta pot sitting on a window ledge - with stylish vintage 1960s floral curtains framing the window. The curtains probably date this work to the late 60s. The pattern is rather reminiscent of more contemporary patterns made famous by Orla Kiely. There is a reserved colour palette - with simple pastels colours - pale oranges, terracotta, grey, violet - and the pink heads on the geraniums - and with a matching shade appearing on the full moon hanging low in the sky.
I love the delicate touches (her hallmark) in the painting of the little harbour scene in the distance - with the sun setting the lights about the shore just start to twinkle in the twilight.
Again - a lovely work by Halliday in my shop. She was certainly a fine artist when she was painting at her best.
The muted tones and pale colours built up using thick watercolour and chalky opaque gouache paints are quite typical of her work. In this study - you can also see a little pencil drawing - where she first sketched out her composition.
It has been re-framed for sale - with a new mount and frame. All ready to hang on your wall.
Image size: 37.5 x 17 cm. It is signed: Halliday, bottom left.
Halliday's work regularly goes through prestigious Scottish auction houses such as Lyon and Turnbull and Bonhams. There is an old label on the back for the Lantern Gallery in Manchester - and her address: 46 High Field Dean Road at Didsbury.
UK Posting Only - this will be about £10 with Parcelforce48 and applied to your order at checkout.