Mairi Aitken was born and educated in Glasgow. She studied at the Glasgow School of Art, graduating in Drawing and Painting in 1962. She taught art for a number of years in a variety of schools in both England and Scotland. While teaching she continued with her own work and after leaving teaching pursued a full time career as a painter.

Capturing the cityscapes and harbours of Scotland with a delicate painterly touch, Aitken pays particular attention to the play of light on surfaces. Lighted colours dance on deeper grounds in almost impressionist strokes.