For some years I had been admiring the intricate artworks of Mary Delaney. The striking black backgrounds making all her flowers stand out and the details dance from the page.

For many years on discovery of people finding out that I am a Botanical Illustrator a name that has often cropped up into conversation has been that of Marianne North. Quite possibly one of the better known female Artists of the Victorian era, perhaps not just for the prolific amount of paintings she produced but also of the expeditions she undertook.

A short while into my studies in Lancashire I was offered a place on the BA (Hons) Illustration course at the Falmouth University. The pull of living by the sea, in warmer climes and gaining a degree from one of the most prestigious Illustration courses in the country was far too great.

As promised following the launch of our competition last term at King Charles Primary School and it has to be said the results we received were excellent.

All of a sudden it’s that time of year again to be thinking about the Hampton Court Flower Show. It is one of the floral highlights of my year, with the Royal Horticultural Society pulling out all the stops as always to make the event pretty memorable.

I thought this month, I would take the opportunity to write about one of the products featured on the website.

As the daughter of bee keepers, I have long had an insightful adoration of these wonderful little creatures.

Something has to be said for the repetition of drawing practice, and I can’t stress enough how valuable it is for any artist to get into the regular habit of using a sketchbook.

2014 was a monumental year for me, deciding to take the plunge and pursue my passion for Botanical Illustration and follow my dreams.

Artwork in progress. The ‘Comte de Chambord’ was the first in a new collection of Artworks I began working on last year, produced for a series of talks I presented for the RHS.

This interview was done by Scott Lyman for under an english sky, a passionate Anglophile from the States.