Linda Livingston is a Scottish painter based in Glasgow.

Linda graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 2008 with a BA (Hons) in Painting and Printmaking. Her work is predominantly figurative, with underlying narratives based on the subconscious mind. It is influenced by Surrealist art and features motifs from nature. Her recent work has focused on portraiture.

Linda is also interested in the relationship between art and mental health. She completed a course in Art Psychotherapy at Glasgow University in 2014, and this continues to inform her practice.

She works from her studio in the centre of Glasgow.

“I have been painting from a young age. I was an only child and I enjoyed creating other worlds in my head and bringing them to life with brushes and whatever paint was to hand. The desire to paint has always been there. It is something I am grateful for.

I knew that art school was where I wanted to be, after attending Saturday morning classes at Glasgow School of Art from the age of 14. However, due to being a carer for my mum, who had physical and mental ill health, it wasn't easy to try to get there.

I was accepted to study Painting & Printmaking at Glasgow School of Art at the age of 30, after going back to college for a year to do Art & Design and build a portfolio of work. That year at Langside College was a real turning point, and gave me the confidence to pursue my art path.

My years at GSA were some of the best of my life. It wasn't always easy, but it was a rewarding experience and I felt privileged to be spending every day working in the wonderful Mackintosh building (which sadly has since been destroyed by two fires). I also made some amazing lifelong friends.

I have been fortunate to have had some great exhibition opportunities since then and some lovely studios to work from.

My work is continually evolving, but still relates to Surrealism and the human condition. I admire the work of Leonora Carrington, Dorothea Tanning and Georgia O'Keeffe.

More recently, I have returned to portraiture. This can be a difficult subject to tackle, but I am fascinated by the fragility of human emotion and I like the challenge of capturing the essence of a person.

I am also interested in exploring the connection between art and mental health. This formed the basis of my degree dissertation at art school and continues to be a strong influence on my work.

— Linda Livingston