A 99-year-old woman has seen her artwork exhibited in one place for the first time in Aberdeen.
Hilda Grant was surprised by an exhibition in Ferryhill Parish Church yesterday, organised by her daughter Elaine King.
It featured almost 80 pieces, including work in watercolours, pastels, oils and charcoal, created over the last four decades.
Mrs Grant said she was thrilled by the display.
“Elaine arranged everything today, she got all the pictures together and ready for display, it was a lot of work for he,” she said.
“I was amazed when I saw them all together. To tell you the truth, I’d forgotten what some of them looked like. My favourite is one of a lady reclining on a settee. It appeals to me, it’s just so peaceful.”
Mrs Grant, who also has two granddaughters and a great-grandson, started painting in the 1970s, when she was in her 60s, taking up the hobby at evening classes and carrying on through the 1980s and 1990s.
She said: “I just started evening classes as something to do. My husband worked all day and all night nearly, so I was by myself a lot of the time. I tried china painting, gardening, cookery, several different classes.
“I found the painting one to be very good and very helpful because you could compare each other’s work and get feedback.”
She took part in art shows in the 1980s at Devanha House, Langstane Church forecourt and at Ferryhill Parish Church.
Mrs King said: “She had some success at the time but not an exhibition like this. She wanted to raise some money as well, so the proceeds of the sales are going to Cyrenians.
“It’s a celebration of her longevity and her talent. It shows how good she is at what she did.”
The exhibition featured work which had been stored at home, as well as pieces which had been given to friends, family and neighbours over the years.
“So many people have helped out organising everything,” said Mrs King.
“Graham Fowler at Castlegate Frames helped frame up the ones that were just in mounts and did a fantastic job, and the church were kind enough to give permission for the area to be used.”
A number of works were sold from the exhibition, raising about £400 for Aberdeen Cyrenians, a charity that supports homeless people in the city.
