About the Artist
I spent nearly 20 years working in forest conservation and animal protection. I was at Friends of the Earth in London UK for 10 years (where I am from). In 2001, I moved to the USA and worked for the International Fund for Animal Welfare where I managed species specific campaigns.
I have always loved to draw and paint. Before doing a degree in Geography, I attended an art school in Belgium for a year. I continued painting whilst at university and at Friends of the Earth, publishing Christmas cards and doing work for other charities. However as my career got more consuming, my art fell by the wayside.
In early 2008, when my boys were both under two years old, I was diagnosed with a mass disc herniation in my neck. I had three spinal fusions in 2008, 2009 and 2010. I had to stop work and I lost three years.
As I started to recover, on the advice of a dear friend, I decided to go back to art. So I signed up to do Botanical Illustration as part of the New York Botanical Garden's (NYBG) certificate program in July of 2011. I graduated in June of 2016.
Now I paint full time from my studio in a wooded area of Chappaqua, producing commissions for clients and teaching adults drawing and watercolor. I also teach at the New York Botanical Garden and have run classes under the Chappaqua Continuing Education Program. When I am not painting I am busy with my boys (aged 11 and 12) and my two dogs. Walking the dogs every day in our local woods often presents me with my next subject to paint.
I have always loved to draw and paint. Before doing a degree in Geography, I attended an art school in Belgium for a year. I continued painting whilst at university and at Friends of the Earth, publishing Christmas cards and doing work for other charities. However as my career got more consuming, my art fell by the wayside.
In early 2008, when my boys were both under two years old, I was diagnosed with a mass disc herniation in my neck. I had three spinal fusions in 2008, 2009 and 2010. I had to stop work and I lost three years.
As I started to recover, on the advice of a dear friend, I decided to go back to art. So I signed up to do Botanical Illustration as part of the New York Botanical Garden's (NYBG) certificate program in July of 2011. I graduated in June of 2016.
Now I paint full time from my studio in a wooded area of Chappaqua, producing commissions for clients and teaching adults drawing and watercolor. I also teach at the New York Botanical Garden and have run classes under the Chappaqua Continuing Education Program. When I am not painting I am busy with my boys (aged 11 and 12) and my two dogs. Walking the dogs every day in our local woods often presents me with my next subject to paint.
