Linda Bergkvist was born in Sweden - in Umeå, where she still lives. Her main interests have always been art and language. When she was younger, she did little but draw pictures and tell other kids long, intricate stories about imaginary creatures. Sometimes, she pretended these beasts were real and spoke of the 'monsters' with such enthusiasm and emotion that a lot of the kids actually believed her! Living a fairy-tale life, she would go hunting for witches in the woods.

Not sure about her artwork, Linda chose to study Language at University with the intention of becoming a teacher while painting and practicing art on the side. When the offer to become an artist at a local computer company emerged, she took the chance and has been a professional artist ever since. Having worked as a comic book colorist, Linda now freelances and is furiously preparing artwork and stories for her upcoming Furiae book. She also teaches at the University of Umeå part time.

Asked about her style of paintings, Linda responds, “I love the visual element of fairytales. Things that are fantastic and unnatural and not quite real fascinate me to no end. I suppose I am in love with old, cruel tales and the wickedness that comes wrapped up in lovely forms. I suppose, in a way, I still enjoy the very same things that I have all of my life - a mixture of fantasy and horror with a little twinge of romantic idealization.”