The sleepy fishing village of Nerja, near Malaga, was clearly portrayed on a card Ms Irvine received.

The painter has captured the magic of that village in an artwork she is completing as a member of Julie’s Folk Art group in Horseshoe Bend.

Born in Hambach, in the Mozelle region of France, Ms Irvine began painting when she was 18.

“I completed two paintings, then gave it up for about 40 years,” Ms Irvine said.

“I was too busy doing other things.

“I became a nurse and I nursed in France for four years before moving to the UK and nursing there for two years.”

She then made another dramatic move, launching into the fashion industry.

“I was area manager for a large clothing company in London for nine years while also playing 

tennis, badminton and riding horses,” Ms Irvine said.

She met her future husband in London and after their wedding, the couple moved to Saudi Arabia, where their daughter was born.

They then came to Australia, where Ms Irvine studied accounting.

She became an accountant, working in Maitland, Singleton and Newcastle for a major company for 20 years.

She also worked as a financial controller for a printing company in Sydney for nine years.

“I retired five years ago and I took up painting again,” Ms Irvine said.

“I paint in oils and I found a great friendship among members at Julies Folk Art.

“Although I have been to Spain, I have never visited the village of Nerja.

“But its image on the card remained with me and I have been painting it for a while, among my other works.

“There is a magic in many of those Spanish towns and villages which can still be seen and I hope to capture this in my work now.”