I am a
watercolour artist based in Scotland and I paint nature in detail.
Everything from flowers to wildlife, via pet portraits and illustration
with detours into miniature art whenever I can.
The Orkney Book of
Birds has just been published. I completed 50 full colour
illustrations for this book over the course of four years, depicting
each species within an Orkney landscape. Copies signed by myself and
author Tim Dean are available to purchase from this website and
cards
featuring plates from the book are now available as well.
A bit about me....
I was born in St. Ives, Cornwall, daughter of potter John Struthers
(take a moment to look at his incredible work on the
Stoneware Ceramics website).
I first came to Orkney in 1986 and live with my husband and children on the shores of Scapa Flow.
During the 1980's I ran my
own hand knitwear business and later moved on to making hand-hooked
rugs, before finally returning to my artwork after the birth of my
eldest child. I began by selling paintings locally and never looked
back - today I am a full-time professional artist and I love every
minute of it (well, almost!).
Many of my
paintings have been reproduced as
prints and
cards, and
I also license artwork for use on all sorts of products. Nowadays I
work mainly to
commission for private individuals, companies and organisations -
usually working about a year ahead. I have exhibited in Britain,
Europe and the USA and my work hangs in private collections across the world. My job is a privilege and a constant learning curve - whatever
the subject.
I paint nature in all its forms.
Botanical
studies were my first subjects and flowers continue to be a very important
part of my work. I also paint
wildlife and
farm
animals, together with custom
pet portraits
and
illustration.
The variety is fantastic and endlessly inspiring; I feel very lucky to cover so
many aspects in my paintings. I work mainly in watercolour (both transparent and
opaque) - an incredibly versatile medium, whether I am working on fine fur and
feathers or sweeping landscapes.
In 2008 I decided to include
time for my own paintings as well as commissioned pieces and commercial work. I have
been deeply honoured to not only have my paintings juried into major exhibitions but also to win awards in the four
principle miniature art shows
in the UK and USA, including the prestigious Gold Memorial Bowl from the Royal
Miniature Society.
Read more about my
miniature paintings here.
Join me while I paint an owl - from the initial sketch
through to the completed painting worked in watercolour on Arches HP paper.
You can also see a miniature
painting in progress, in watercolour on crescent rag board. Double click on the
videos to see them much larger. Do let me know what you think, and you can also
subscribe if you would like to see more!
'Watercolour Artist
Diary' is my artist blog which allows me to go into more detail on my work
in progress and latest news. It is regularly updated - do have a look and let me have your
comments and suggestions!
Exhibitions
2008
2009
Hilliard Society of
Miniaturists, UK (Mary
Scott Kestin Award for Animals & Wildlife)
I recently completed the full colour
illustrations for this beautifully produced book
with author Tim Dean. Orkney is an internationally important location for birds
and this volume is the result of four years collaboration, taking you on a tour of the
islands and the species you are likely to see here. The book has now been published -
please click on the picture for more information
or to purchase a signed copy or greeting cards.
The Watercolour Flower Artist's
Bible
I was asked to contribute
to this wonderfully practical book that defies it small size by covering a wealth of
topics from the basics (including materials and techniques) through to
analyzing structure and composition. It includes examples from eighteen
artists working in widely ranging styles and step by step
demonstrations, tips and tricks.
I am a contributing artist
in this book edited by Patricia Seligman. The illustrations used
are from my sketchbooks and have never been published before. My work is featured in a six page chapter entitled 'Learning through detailed
sketching' which shows examples of my sketches, from rough
ideas to almost finished paintings, and gives details of my approach
and techniques.
"Based on the sketchbooks of some of the
leading floral artists working today, this beautifully
illustrated book gives step by step demonstrations and practical
advice in a variety of styles and mediums."
Long and short stitch Embroidery: A
collection of Flowers
My
flower paintings have also used by Trish Burr in her latest book of
Botanical Embroidery
published by Sally Milner. She has
expertly converted them into floral 'needle paintings' and the results
are amazing!
To buy this book or read
reviews on Amazon, please visit the 'Bookshop'.
"In this stunning, colour illustrated
collection of floral embroideries, the author of 'Redouté’s Finest
Flowers in Embroidery' introduces needleworkers to her unique, long- and
short-stitch “needlepainting” style of portraying flowers like a
botanical painter.
The Animal World Magazine
Cover Artist,
articles and interviews (USA, Nov 2005 & Nov 2006)
I completed a series of
illustrations of dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies commissioned for the Orkney ID Field Guides.
Shown below are the nine
most common species of Butterfly found here, together with some of the
Dragonflies found in the islands. This is an ongoing project illustrating the
flora and fauna of Orkney.
These
botanical studies were completed recently for the Vikings
Heath Project run by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory
Group. This project has been set up to raise awareness of
and preserve the maritime heath and grassland environment.
My very grateful thanks go to the
following people for their generosity in allowing me to use their
photos for reference as well - Mike and John Struthers, Mungo Montgomery, Judy
Schrader, Lesley Hartman, David Jacks and Brian Hewitt.
Also to all the other people who let me sneak up on their pets, farm
animals and other furry or feathered charges, those who have helped me
track down hard to find flowers, and last but not least to my husband for
growing such a wonderful garden full of subjects for me to paint year
after year and my kids for putting up with a mother who paints!
(UK)
