HIDDEN TALENT

Judith Stephens found solace in painting after her husband died, and her beautiful watercolours show Scotland in all its glory. Ellie House takes a look

Pencil in hand, Judith Stephens furrows her brow in concentration, oblivious to the people milling around her.

The 82-year-old widower never leaves her home in Aberdeen without her sketch pad, and she believes that drawing not only gives her purpose but enables her to revisit memories of her late husband, Thomas.

It was love at first sight for the pair who met at bridge club and got married within six months, and Judith often sketches pictures of places they visited together.

From Aberdeenshire’s ruined castles to desolate beaches, the real magic begins when Judith picks up her paintbrush and creates stunning watercolours.

She has dozens of sketch pads filled with pictures but has only shown her work to family, until today.

The grandmother of two hopes her collection will encourage people to get out and about in their local area, and visit exhibitions and tourist attractions.

Judith’s work is all the more remarkable considering she only started painting seriously later in life.

“I painted when I was very young but it was frowned on in those days and my parents wanted me to do something useful,” said Judith.

“Painting wasn’t really seen as productive, then of course I grew up and met my husband.

“He was a Cambridge graduate and we fell in love immediately, to this day I always say he was honestly the nicest man.

“We had a wonderful time together and when he died two years ago I didn’t want to sit around and get depressed.”

Judith always starts her drawings by hand with rough sketches that often only take a few minutes.

Her talent often brings unwelcomed attention however.

“I’m not sure my paintings are terribly good, there’s a few that I’m happy with,” said Judith.

“When something is in front of me that I want to capture, people often stop and watch me drawing which can be a little off putting.

“Most of the time I don’t actually notice because I’m so engrossed. Art is a hobby to me but people can be fascinated by what I’m doing.

“It doesn’t matter where I am, if inspiration strikes me then I just have to draw.

“It’s whatever catches my eye, whether that’s a beautiful flower or a landscape.”

Judith has no idea where she gets her talent from and took up the brush on a recommendation from a friend.

“I raised a family and also worked as a secretary, I couldn’t imagine having the time to paint when I was doing all that,” she said.

“A very good friend of mine suggested I needed a hobby and something to keep me occupied. I went to painting class and never looked back.”

Judith hasn’t considered selling her work, but many of her paintings are of places she sees on her travels round Scotland.

She hopes the collection will encourage people to make the most of their local area, especially in the spring time.

“It’s difficult at this time of year but I hope my paintings prove just how wonderful Aberdeen really is,” said Judith.

“People who perhaps don’t know the city always say that Aberdeen is grey or the weather isn’t great, I see beauty everywhere I look.

I find that painting gets me out of the house and visiting so many different places.

“My favourite seasons to paint are spring and autumn, and when I paint I find myself revisiting old friends in my head.

“Painting quite often evokes memories and I’d much rather be thinking of the good times than sitting by myself at home.”

Experts believe that painting not only keeps the mind active through concentration, it also promotes good mental health.

It strengthens memory, provides stress relief, and encourages a positive attitude.

Judith believes that to feel any benefit however, you need to have a genuine love of drawing.

“If you can draw then you can most certainly paint but you’ve got to really love it,” she said.

“If your heart isn’t in painting then you’ll almost certainly give

it up. One of my favourite creations isn’t of a landscape but of a dress by Scottish designer, Bill Gibb.

“It was at an exhibition and I honestly found it so beautiful that I just had to get it on paper.

“It’s moments like that which remind me why I always have a paint brush in my hand. It has kept me mobile and painting is my stimulant. It’s not an expensive pastime and I think Thomas would have been pleased that I’ve continued.

“I’ll paint for as long as I can, it has been my way of doing something productive that has also made me incredibly happy.”