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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.
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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 - surrounded by paintings-in-waiting!
Many of my
paintings have been reproduced as
prints and
a wide range of work is
licensed commercially around the world. I
work mainly to
commission for private individuals, companies and organisations and
I also exhibit my own pieces regularly in Britain,
Europe and the USA. My job to me 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 use watercolour
(both transparent and opaque) - an incredibly versatile medium and I
work from life, photographs and imagination; oftentimes all three in
the same painting.
In 2008 I decided to make more time
for my personal projects as well, discovering the world of miniature art at
around the same time and becoming instantly hooked. I have
been deeply honoured to not only have my paintings juried into major exhibitions but also to win awards in the UK and USA, including the prestigious Gold Memorial Bowl from the Royal
Miniature Society.
Read more about my
miniature paintings here.
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'Watercolour Artist
Diary' is my art 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!
Step by Step Videos
Join me in these step by step demos
showing some of my paintings from start to finish. (You can double click on the
videos to see them much larger on YouTube and I recommend selecting 'HQ' to watch them in
high quality). If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment and I will
do my best to answer!
Recent
& Forthcoming Exhibitions
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2008 |
2009 |
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Hilliard Society of
Miniaturists, UK (Mary
Scott Kestin Award for Animals & Wildlife) |
Llewellyn Alexander
Gallery
'A Million Brushstrokes' , London : year round. |
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Seaside Gallery, USA |
Society of Women
Artists : Mall Galleries, London 23rd April - 2nd May.
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Parklane Gallery, USA
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Society of Botanical
Artists : Westminster Central Hall, London 24th April - 3rd
May. |
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Royal Miniature Society, UK
(Gold Memorial Bowl & Llewellyn Alexander
Subject Miniature Award)
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Hilliard Society International Exhibition of Miniature Art
: Wells May 30th - June 7th. (Awarded HS signature status)
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Miniature Painters,
Sculptors & Gravers Society, USA (Animals & Wildlife
Award third place)
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Society of
Wildlife Artists : Mall Galleries, London Sept 23rd - Oct 4th |
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Miniature Art Society of
Florida, USA (Permanent Collection
Purchase Award) |
Elder Street Gallery,
Houston, Texas USA. Sept 19th - Oct 4th. |
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Royal Society of Miniature
Painters, Sculptors & Gravers (RMS) Mall
Galleries, London.
October 13th - 25th
(Elected Associate Member - ARMS) |
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Miniature
Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Society:
Strathmore Mansion, North Bethesda, MA,
USA . Nov 22nd - Jan 2nd (Honourable Mention Animals &
Wildlife) |
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Miniature Art Society of
Florida: Leepa Rattner Museum Of Art, Florida USA .
Jan 17th - Feb 7th 2010 (Opaque Watercolour award 3rd place) |
Publications
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The Orkney
Book of Birds
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.
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The Watercolour Flower Artist's
Bible
This wonderfully practical
book 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.
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Watercolour Flower Painter's
Handbook
I contributed to 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'.
"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." |
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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!
A Masterclass in Drawing
and Painting Animals
I shall be a contributing
artist in this forthcoming book by wildlife artist Jonathan Truss from Anness Publishing.
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LEISURE PAINTER MAGAZINE
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Miniature painting article and step by step feature (Oct 09)
(Click here to download in PDF
format) -
Article
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Step by Step
Artists & Illustrators
Magazine - Botanical Artists Feature (June 09);
Interview and article
(Sept 09).
(Click here to download in PDF
format) -
Interview |
Article
The Animal World Magazine
- interviews and cover features (Nov 05 & Nov 06). |
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(back to
top)
Natural History Illustration
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Illustrations of dragonflies,
damselflies and butterflies were commissioned for the Orkney ID Field Guides
depicting the nine
most common species of Butterfly found here, together with the
Dragonflies and Damselflies found in the islands. This is hoped to be an ongoing project illustrating the
flora and fauna of Orkney.
Signed archival Prints and
cards of the paintings are now available - please visit the
Butterflies,
Dragonflies and Damselflies page
and for more information.
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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! |
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