Elinor Bellingham-Smith came to Suffolk at the age of 51 following the breakdown of her marriage to painter Rodrigo Moynihan. She lived her married life in London and studied at the Slade School of Fine Art. Her London home was frequented by many artists and writers, she created illustrations for Harpers Bazaar, Shell and children's books.
Her first solo exhibition was at the Leicester Galleries in 1948, with whom she exhibited frequently.
On moving to Suffolk, her work became more focused on the landscape. She showed delicacy and deftness in her brushstrokes and frequently included children in the landscape.
