Interviews of Elizabeth Brown

This interview forms part of the Kirkcudbright Artists Remembered project. This project was active during the refurbishment of the Kirkcudbright Town hall into the Kirkcudbright Galleries centre and was undertaken as a partnership between the Kirkcudbright Harbour Cottage Trust and the EERC.

Elizabeth Brown (aged 82) talks about her life and shares memories of Kirkcudbright and some of the artists who made the town their home in the early to mid twentieth century. Elizabeth was born in Kent and she met her husband, Andrew, while he was doing his officer training at Aldershot. Andrew had been born near Borgue and the couple returned to live there after time in Africa and Cirencester. Elizabeth talks particularly about her mother-in-law, Marjorie McMinn who was the daughter of Dr John McMinn, a much loved and respected Kirkcudbright doctor. Marjorie was born in 1908 and brought up in Blair House. She would have met people like Jessie M King on a daily basis and Charles Oppenheimer was a neighbour and family friend. Marjorie remained a supporter of the artists and bought their work as gifts for her family. Lena Alexander was a particular friend and Elizabeth remembered Lena as a very friendly woman. Elizabeth also remembers Anna Hotchkis and describes her studio, which was also her home.

Other artists remembered include Miles Johnston, Dorothy Johnston and Kate Nicoll with whom Elizabeth shared a long friendship. Elizabeth also talks more about the McMinn family, especially David (also a doctor), and about how things have changed in Kirkcudbright over the years. Towards the end of the interview, she talks about some of the pictures and photographs in her home, many of which have connections to the Kirkcudbright artists and says that she is looking forward to the new gallery opening.