Linda Jane Smith

Linda Jane Smith has always loved drawing and, as a child, entered as many art competitions as she could. She eventually studied Graphic Design at Bournville College of Art, which gave her the ability to use discipline to work very precisely, and also the confidence to settle down anywhere to paint.

Her work has progressed considerably since then, enabling her to combine the two great loves of her life, cats and painting. There has always been a family cat in her life and these days her tortoiseshell cat, Jessie, often pops into the studio for a little ‘chat’ before going back to sleep on the bed.

Her work has been strongly influenced by the idea of using fine detail in artwork; illustrators such as Arthur Rackham and Nicola Bailey, who are known to use exquisite detail in their work, are her favourites. To be able to look at a picture and keep finding objects - maybe a ladybird, or a leaf, or a glass bead, is what she loves. From the response of children and adults who have seen her work, it seems to have a universally joyous effect.

Linda Jane Smith is an avid collector of all kinds of old objects including hat-pins, china and fabrics - all these are seen as treasures to her and often turn up in her paintings.

A cat sitting on a faded Persian rug with a dog-eared "Beano" comic lying next to it will bring back memories of childhood for many. Humour is a big part of her work. She works with designer gouache, in a Pointillist style, making a detailed drawing first, then meticulously putting on dots of paint to slowly build up the colour so that it has form and texture. Her colours are usually deep and rich…faded carpets, velvet cushions and threadbare brocades are everywhere.

The artist has since had several major exhibitions shown nationwide and her limited edition prints have become immensely popular on both sides of the Atlantic. Her work has become extremely collectable worldwide - some of her earlier prints, such as "The Wedding Breakfast", are highly sought after and eagerly snapped up by collectors.