Elaine was born in Edinburgh and studied at Glasgow School of Art. She now lives in Linlithgow, West Lothian, and works in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
She has exhibited in galleries in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Cambridge and abroad. One of her works - 'Hotel No.4' - is in the public galleries collection, the Atkinson Art Gallery, Southport.
Elaine moved to Glasgow at the age of 17 to study Fine Art at the Glasgow School of Art. She graduated with a Bachelors Degree with honours, acquired a studio and began working as a full-time artist. She began to be noticed as a serious and thoughtful painter and her first solo exhibition was 'Portraits' in Glasgow. Elaine's work has been critically recognised by virtue of the Dewar Arts Award, the James Torrance Memorial Award, the Hope Scott Trust Award and the Cross Trust Fund. In 2022, Elaine was a finalist in the Jackson's Painting Prize.
Elaine was an Artist in Residence in Amhuinnsuidhe Castle Estate, Isle of Harris in 2010, Vermont Studio Center, U.S.A in 2009 and Guizhou Art Academy, China in 2008.
Elaine is a passionate art lecturer and she is held in very high regard by her students and peers. She has been teaching at the Glasgow School of Art since 2008 and the Centre for Lifelong Learning at Strathclyde University since 2009. In 2019 she founded Linlithgow Art School, specialising in drawing and painting classes for both children and adults.
Elaine Woo MacGregor is internationally represented by Cynthia Corbett Gallery.