Botanical Painting is something I began when I was travelling back and forth to my family home in Sussex to help during a family health crisis. I’ve always been interested in plants and often draw them when I travel. As it was easy to carry  watercolours and paper with me I decided to study for a diploma in Botanical illustration with the Society of Botanical Artists, I also joined the Irish Society around this time.

I always associate botanical painting with my late sister’s illness and there is something a little melancholy and tender about it. She liked to keep me company while I was working.

The plants in botanical paintings are also deceased of course, so they are their own mementoes.

They occupy a completely separate place to the rest of my work. Every so often I make paintings for the Irish Botanical Artists Society and I have an upcoming project with  Glenveagh National Park here in the Derryveagh mountains.