Painter and draughtsman and teacher, born in Bellshill, Lanarkshire. She studied at Glasgow School of Art, 1963–8, with David Donaldson and William Drummond Bone, then lectured there, 1968–88. Ill health prompted early retirement, but after a successful second kidney transplant in 1990 Gardner “continued to paint, but more prolific and yet more disciplined.” Uccello, Vermeer and Morandi were influences on Gardner’s work, but her themed pictures remained distinctively her own. These included still life, nude, bar interior, American diner and barbershop series. Gardner was a member of the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts. She won a series of awards, including Glasgow Society of Women Artists, Scottish Arts Council Lady Artists’ Fund and Cleveland 5th International Drawing Biennale.