Donald Moodie RSA 1892-1963

Donald Moodie was born at Edinburgh on 24th March, 1892. Educated at George Heriot's School, he received his Art Education at the Edinburgh College of Art. He was awarded the Diploma in Drawing and Painting, and granted a Post-Graduate Scholarship in 1914. During the 1914-18 War, he served in the Machine Gun Section of the 5th Royal Scots - a Section mainly composed of his fellow Art Students - and he was present at the landing in Gallipoli. Later, asa Commissioned Officer with the Machine Gun Corps, he fought in France and was wounded. He was mentioned in Dispatches. After the War, he résumed his Post-Graduate studies and carried out the painting of a large mural for the Dining Hall in the College. In 1919, he was appointed a Member of the College of Art Staff. During his long association with the Drawing and Painting Section as a teacher, he had considerable success with his Students - the reputation for draughtsmanship which the College acquired at that time was largely due to his influence. His own work ranged over a wide field including landscape, still life, and portraiture at an early period. He painted interesting figure subjects of fisher life in Brittany. Later he favoured the landscape of the Border Country and West Highlands, generally painting in rich glowing colour schemes. He was a skilled painter in water colours.

He possessed a marked gift for decoration and painted several Church Murals notable for their fine conception, design and beauty of line. A recent Exhibition of Cartoons and Drawings for his Mural in the Roman Catholic Church of St. Bernadette, Tullibody, showed what a consummate draughtsman and fine designer he was. For many years, he was a valued Member of the Society of Scottish Artists, and was President of that Body from 1937 to 1942. In 1943, he was elected an Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy, and became a full Member in 1952. A severe illness in 1955 interrupted his activities for a time, and

led to his resignation from teaching. On his recovery, however, he resumed his interest in the College of Art as a Member of the Board of Governors. He also renewed his painting with an enthusiasm that led to the production of some of his finest work. In 1959, he was elected Secretary of the Royal Scottish Academy, devoting much of his time to the Academy's interests. He proved very capable and popular, endearing himself to all by his charming manner and sincerity of purpose. These latter years were perhaps the happiest and most fruitful period of his career. He died suddenly on 19th June, 1963. In 1925, he married Susan A. Binnie, M.B., Ch.B., and is survived by her and two Daughters.

RSA Obituary, transcribed from 1963 RSA Annual Report