Libby was born in England and spent her early childhood in Singapore and Germany. The family came to Australia in 1954, initially settling in Tasmania then later moving to the mainland. She has lived in Victoria for many years, with the exception of three years in England and Scotland in the late 1960s.

Up until recently her main work has involved commissioned portraits. She finds the purity, vibrancy and texture that can be achieved with soft pastels make them the perfect medium for her style of portraiture.  Mostly self taught, she has been influenced by the works of 18^th century portrait artists Rosalba Carriera and Maurice Quentin de La Tour.  Her father, Colin James Hards (a talented artist in pastel, oil, watercolour, photography, and music) was also a strong influence as she was growing up.  Her mother made the most exquisite soft toys and dolls, embroidery and all sorts of handcrafts and encouraged her daughters to be creative.

In 2010 she and her sister, Rosemary Jones, shared a joint exhibition entitled “Water - as we see it” with artists, Ana Greeno, Jan Harris and Marilyn Laney. Her works are in collections throughout Australia and in the USA and UK.

Studies:

3 years’ portraiture with Barbara McManus at The Victorian Artists Society

Peter Smales (oil) also at the VAS

Su Pearson (botanical illustration in watercolour)

Attended many courses and workshops including: Larry Blovits (USA), John Bredl, Judy Drew, Margaret Evans (UK), Ross Paterson,
Colley Whisson, Lorraine Wigraft, Max Wilks,

Awards etc.

2nd Prize - Works $250 & Under (2001) - The Pastel Society of Victoria Exhibition (sold)

Runner-up Best in Show (2004) – The PSV Exhibition

2010 - Invited to submit a portrait of Dame Nellie Melba as part of the 150^th Anniversary of her birth.

Finalist – Australian Guild of Realist Artists, Artists on Line Winter 2011 (2 paintings

Best Abstract (2011) – The PSVA  Exhibition (sold)

Memberships:
The Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia 
The Australian Guild of Realist Artists
The Victorian Artists Society

She has been a Committee Member of The Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia since 2000 and in 2006 was made an Honorary Life Member for services to the Society. She is currently Vice President.