My Story

A few years ago, I stepped back from a 20year career in technology to focus on developing my art practice. I’d always loved painting and drawing, but things took off in my sales career and then we started a family. Before I knew it, I had precious little time for my art hobby. When we got pregnant with son number three, I knew I wanted to rebalance my career with my family life, plus I’d felt an undeniable, growing ache to reconnect with my creative side. It was now or never; I don't believe you should wait for retirement to follow your dreams.

I joined the Society of Botanical Artists in 2019 as a student on their challenging Distance Learning Diploma and graduated with distinction in 2022. 

My style is very detailed, plus I was increasingly drawn to nature subjects, so it occurred to me that there was a great fit with botanical art as a specialism because it demands technical rigour and scientific accuracy. I like how it mashes my artistic side with the analytical skills I've developed in my previous career. Botanical art is thriving alongside a renewed appreciation for plants, gardening and the outdoors in relation to physical and mental health.

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I've always wanted to master watercolour as a medium because my dad is a big collector of Victorian watercolours and I’ve grown up with their glowing colours and sense of light, even 200 years on. My grandmother travelled a lot and loved her portable W&N watercolours. 

I have recently been elected a Fellow of the Society of Botanical Artists and joined the Council as a Director and Trustee to support the great work the Society does to further our appreciation of botanical art, promote standards of excellence, and help with professional development and work opportunities for members. 

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I have exhibited with the SBA at their annual PLANTAE exhibitions at the Mall Galleries, which typically showcases the work of over 180 botanical artists from all over the world.

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Juried Awards:

• PLANTAE 2022, Award for Excellence in Graphite; Certificate of Botanical Merit (Romanesco)

• PLANTAE 2023, Award for Excellence in Graphite (Charlie’s Sunflower)

My original work has been purchased by private collectors and I am growing my popular selection of fine-art prints and cards. Alongside regular exhibitions, my work has been featured in various art and botanical publications. 

Private commissions of botanical subjects are becoming increasingly popular as a personal gift and I have also been commissioned by commercial partners. 

You can see more of my work in my Gallery and on Instagram, plus you can read about what I’ve been up to in the Projects section. 

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