Kirkcaldy artist's work in the frame for charity

A painting of a twilight view from North Berwick which she created specially for the ‘Lunch With an Old Bag’ charity event at Edinburgh’s Prestonfield Hotel fetched £2700 for the charity which she says is close to her heart.

Catriona (46), of the town’s Alexandra Street, spent 10 years as a primary school teacher at schools around Fife, while pursuing her art hobby in her spare time by doing portraits of family and friends.

She explained: “I really loved art when I was at school and kept painting in my spare time when I was working as a teacher. I was always being asked to do paintings either of people or their pets and eventually in 2009 I just thought I can do this and became an artist full time.

“Seascapes were what I enjoyed doing most. I was exhibiting them and they were selling well, so I went professional and set up my own website and it has really taken off from there.”

Catriona got involved in ‘Lunch With an Old Bag’ through a friend who knows the owner of the Prestonfield.

“He suggested I might like to do something for the event, so as I had a little time between exhibitions I did this painting of North Berwick for the Trust auction.

“They do a public auction and the prizes were brilliant, including afternoon tea with Judy Murray who is involved in it, and tickets to see Andy Murray play.

“I was over the moon when I heard how much my painting had gone for and it was great to be able to contribute to the fantastic total.”

Catriona has a busy time ahead of her with exhibitions at Woodstock and Crieff as well as the Key Gallery in Aberdour and another in Elie next year.