Linda McDonald

My early years were influenced by my grandmother and aunt who were both embroiderers. I owe my love of drawing and design to them and to my father, a dedicated gardener, my passion for plants.

I lived in Canada for ten years and learnt weaving and spinning at the Emily Carr College of Art in Vancouver. On moving back to the UK I studied textiles and embroidery at Chelsea School of Art.

My working career has been in fundraising and campaigning around the world on environmental issues; rainforests, international agriculture and at the Eden Project in Cornwall.

Whilst there I met a talented painter and teacher of botanical illustration, Mally Francis, and joined her class and on returning to London I completed the diploma in botanical painting at the English Gardening School.

In 2008 I worked with The Forestry Commission at Westonbirt Arboretum, where Hugh Angus, Head of Collections chose six significant trees which I have painted.

My paintings are featured in the Westonbirt Friend's magazine and will be exhibited at Westonbirt in April 2012. I am a member of the Eden Project Florilegium and paint for Nymans, National Trust.

I can be contacted on mobile: 07990977437
e-mail:
website: www.lindacomptonmcdonald.co.uk