Viola Paterson 1899 -1981

Viola Paterson was born in Helensburgh, near Glasgow. Viola was a member of the distinguished Paterson family of artists. Her mother was the artist, Maggie Hamilton (sister of James Whitelaw Hamilton) and father Alexander Nesbit Paterson, the brother of James Paterson. Viola Paterson was equally talented as a Colourist in oil, watercolour and as a lithographer and engraver. Studied with Henry Tonks at Slade School of Fine Arts and from 1919-23 attended the Glasgow School of Art under Maurice Greiffenhagen. In 1924-25 studied in Paris at L'Academie de la Grand Chaumiere with Lucien Simon Besnard and then with Andre L'Hote. Continued to paint in France, although she travelled around Europe. Returned to Britain in 1941 and lived in Helensburgh from 1955.During the World War II worked for several years for the Admiralty in Oxford. Exhibited in the RA, RSA, GI, Belgrave Gallery, Parkin Galleries and Lillie Art Gallery.Retrospective exhibition was held at The Round House, Havering-atte-Bower in 1983.