Linda Travers Smith

I am a self-taught artist who has taken occasional classes throughout the years. My journey began when I accompanied my husband, an RAF pilot, to California for a three-year Exchange Tour. Unable to work, I joined local art classes, and I knew, almost immediately, that that I had found my lifetime’s pursuit. Throughout the next 18 years, living overseas both in the United States and Germany, art became a stabilising influence.

Once our globe-trotting ended, I became an art teacher, initially with Adult Education and subsequently as a private tutor. I have always loved wildlife, but my interest in painting it started whilst living in the United States when every holiday we would head west into the wilder parts, my husband with his camera and me with my sketch book. Latterly, once husband retired it gave us time to visit other places to observe sketch and photograph wildlife and our greatest joy were the trips to different areas of Africa.

To stay motivated I need to look constantly for new ideas and challenges. No matter what I paint, the idea starts with some kind of trigger – a moment in time, or an experience that I feel I must share. I draw inspiration from my travels, the seasons, my love of nature and all that surrounds me.

I have exhibited widely throughout the country, including the Royal Institute of Watercolours and the Laing Exhibition, and there are examples of my work hanging internationally. I have been a member of the Society of Women Artists since 1998 and have exhibited at The Wildlife Art Society International.

Awards
Certificate of Merit “Paint a Wildlife Subject ”1997” Close to the Edge”
Certificate of Merit “Paint a Wildlife Subject” 1998 “Undercover”
Certificate of Merit “Paint a Wildlife Subject “1999 ‘Sea Otter Supper’
Best Watercolour “Paint a Wildlife Subject” 2000 “Spider web”
Best in Show “Paint a Wildlife Subject” 2001” Myrtle”
Certificate of Merit “Paint a Wildlife Subject” 2003 “Flamingo Serenade’’
Runner up “Paint a Wildlife Subject” 2004 ‘‘Frosty Whiskers’’
Highly Commended Armed Forces Art Society 2015 ‘‘Bald Eagle’’
Finalist in Society of All Artists Exhibition 2017 ‘‘Remembrance’’
Finalist in International Artist “Artist Challenge” 2017 ‘‘Crawshay’s Zebra’’
Gold Citation the Wildlife Art Society International 2021 ‘’Tiger at Bandegavagh’
Finalist in the TALP ‘Artist of the Year 2022 ‘Remembrance’
Highly Commended the Wildlife Art Society 2025 ‘’Mabula Spirit’’
Society of Women Artists 2021 HRH Princess Michael of Kent Award for my ‘’Body of Work’’
Society of Women Artists 2025 HRH Princess Michael of Kent Awar