One of twins, Elizabeth McKinnon was born in the rural Victorian town of Wonthaggi, but spent much time travelling to and from the Northern Territory. She attended art school in Adelaide, South Australia, from 1970-1973 and then travelled with Swiss Circus until 1978. She has also worked with Circus Royale and Circus Oz. McKinnon returned to art school in 1979 and completed a Bachelor in Fine Arts in 1980.
McKinnon has worked on the Women's Art Movement Collective and been involved in Artists' Week and the Artworkers Union in South Australia. She has held several exhibitions of her own art work.
