Artist and teacher, born in Newport, Monmouthshire, who was educated in the northeast of England. She attended a foundation course at Newcastle College, 1992; a summer school in etching, Bewick Studios, 1992; graduated with honours in fine art, Loughborough College of Art and Design, 1995; and gained her master’s at Norwich School of Art and Design, 1998. Prizes included Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers Prize at NEAC, 1996, and Marks and Spencer Young Artists’ Prize, 1997. McConkey’s teaching from 1996 included the University of Northumbria, Cleveland College of Art and Sunderland City College. Among group shows were Bondgate and Smithy Galleries, both Alnwick, 1992; the NEAC, Mall Galleries, from 1995; Summer Exhibition, Clayton Gallery, Newcastle, 1997; and Bath Lane Gallery, Newcastle, 1999.