Member Artists
Moira Huntly
Society Membership:
Pastel Society, Past President, HonoraryRoyal Institute of Painters in Water Colours
Royal Society of Marine Artists
Other Society Memberships:
Royal West of England Academy
Biographical details:
1932 Born on 7 November in Motherwell, Scotland
1948-53 Studied at Harrow School of Art
1953-54 Studied at Hornsey College of Art, obtained Art Teacher’s Certificate from London University
1978 Elected a Member of the Pastel Society
1982 Appointed Honorary Secretary of the Pastel Society
1981 Elected a Member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours
1985 Elected a Member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists
1989 Appointed Honorary Treasurer of the Pastel Society
1993 Appointed Vice President of the Pastel Society
1995 Elected a Member of the Royal West of England Academy
2003 Appointed President of the Pastel Society
2003 Appointed Governor of the Federation of British Artists
Artist's statement:
Marine and industrial subjects, buildings in the landscape, figures and still life all appeal to me visually. I paint in most mediums, including mixed media. I work in the studio from keenly observed ‘on the spot drawings’, which represent my search for a balance between the figurative and abstract patterns that I aim to capture in my drawings. My love of colour is in the tradition of the Scottish Colourists.
Exhibitions:
Solo Exhibitions:
Biennial Exhibition, Alresford Gallery, Alresford
The New Gallery, The Royal West of England Academy
Theatre Clwyd, North Wales
Group Exhibitions:
Tegfryn Gallery, Anglesey
Albany Gallery, Cardiff
Kaiserlautern, Germany
Southampton City Art Gallery Manor House Gallery, Chipping North
Mystic Maritime Museum, Connecticut, USA
Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate
Method of working:
Since my student days I have believed in gaining knowledge from direct observation. Drawing is very important to me and through accuracy in drawing I try to explore shape and form and discover the subjects potential for a painting. I regard the composition and content of a painting as more important than the medium, but sometimes I instinctively choose a particular sketch to work from because I visualise it in a certain medium. I can’t explain exactly why this is so. Whatever the subject, I am searching for its abstract qualities, trying to balance between realism and abstract patterns full of strong rhythms and invention, distilled from my drawings. I see the world as a kaleidoscope of broken lines, shapes and colour masses, sometimes fragmented into jewels of colour. After many years, I am still searching for new ideas and methods. I am never satisfied with what I have done and I am always hoping that the next painting is going to be the best.
Scholarships, Awards, Prizes:
Finalist, ‘Hunting Group Painting Competition’, 1981, 1983 and 1985
‘Windsor & Newton Award’, Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, 1985
Winner, ‘Laing National Painting Competition’, 1986
‘Manya Igel Fine Arts Award’, Pastel Society, 1992 and 1993
‘Buzzacott Prize’, Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, 1999
‘Japan Festival Award’, 2001
Publications:
‘Draw Still Life’
‘Draw Nature’
‘Draw in Brush and Ink’
‘Painting in Mixed Media’
‘Learn to Paint Gouache’
‘Learn to Paint Mixed Media’
‘Learn to Draw Boats’
‘The Artist’s Drawing Book’
‘Moira Huntly’s Sketchbook Secrets’
‘Acrylics Masterclass’ (contributor)
‘Mastering Watercolour’ (contributor)
‘Encyclopedia of Watercolour Techniques’ (contributor)
‘Drawing Workshop’ (contributor)
‘Painting Workshop’ (contributor)
