Biography
Early Career
Lynda began her life as an artist at the young age of sixteen, when she had her first solo exhibition receiveing the acolade of an award from the Royal Academy. Buoyed by this experience, Lynda applied and was accepted to Maidstone College of Art and Design, a college of some notoriety, whose teaching alumni include David Hockney and Quentin Blake.
Lynda’s BA Fine Art in Painting also included studies in pottery, sculpture and printmaking including etching, lithography and screen printing. During this time, fashion and textiles were also a passion of hers; designing and making her own garments created an outlet for this.
Lynda graduated in 1973 and started her career as a Junior Graphic Designer.
Graphic Design
During the 1970s, Lynda progressed in her career as a Graphic Designer, working on varied projects, including intricate botanical watercolour studies at Kew Gardens, before a family-led move to Teesside. The move northwards opened up new industry sectors for Lynda’s graphic design work, with commissioned technical projects for British Steel and the National Trust for Scotland, amongst others.
Aberdeenshire Inspiration
Lynda found new inspiration following her move to beautiful Aberdeenshire in 1984. She continued to diversify her repertoire in terms of both content and medium. Expanding her watercolour art from still life and botanical studies, to local landscapes was inevitable given her picturesque setting in Monymusk, with the River Don and Bennachie on her doorstep.
Continued successful exhibitions with North East Open Studios (NEOS) and in private galleries throughout Aberdeenshire throughout the 1980’s and early 90’s inspired Lynda to continue her artistic development. Commissions from BT, BP and Readers Digest followed at this time.
Ceramics Restoration
An interest in antiques led Lynda to study Ceramics Restoration and Conservation, specialising in the conservation and restoration of hard and soft paste porcelain and china. Lynda’s experienced background particularly leant itself to conservation projects which included modelling replacement parts and retouching by airbrushing and hand painting to create an invisible repair.
Courses and Lessons
As well as opening her studio to ceramics, Lynda also welcomed her first students to group pen and ink, watercolour and acrylic painting classes. Teaching had always been something that Lynda had wanted to expand further than the small forays previously in local schools and community centres. Teaching quickly became Lynda’s biggest passion and she has and continues to teach groups of students of all abilities and mediums with great enthusiasm.
The Bigger Picture
Lynda’s artistic evolution led to an exploration into oils and the freedom in style and creativity afforded by extra large canvases, culminating in a collection of exciting character studies including of Billy Connelly, David and Victoria Beckham, and Bob Geldof.
Move to Moray
Her move west to Moray inspired Lynda to once again tackle more of the dramatic scenery at the gateway to the Highlands, and coastal areas such as Lossiemouth and Portknockie.
Views and landmarks throughout Speyside have inspired Lynda’s most recent collection. Lynda’s ambitious self-development continues, both in experimenting with new styles and sharing her significant experience through teaching.
