Susan is a botanical artist and lives in Devon. She trained in graphic design and worked in advertising before studying botanical drawing and watercolour painting at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. While there she became fascinated by the huge variety of structure and detail in plants and flowers.
The nature of botanical art requires a detailed and realistic account of the plant for Botanists to name the species and distinguish minute differences in features. Susan has put her stamp on this form through using a slightly freer, less scientific approach, whilst maintaining the realism of traditional botanical art.
Since moving to Devon she has started painting birds, inspired by the bird reserves and lovely walks locally, so her work now includes an eclectic mix of botanical, birds and graphic imaging.
Susan has exhibited widely in the UK, the highlights being the Royal Scottish Academy and the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society (Silver Medal) in Edinburgh, and the Royal Academy of Arts ‘Summer Exhibition’ and the Llewellyn Alexander NOT The Royal Academy in London.
She has also exhibited in the Majlis Gallery in Dubai where she also taught watercolour workshops.
Susan teaches small botanical watercolour workshops in Devon. www.susanthomsonart.com
