Happy New Year, everyone.
In this week’s blog post, I’m taking time to reflect on the year gone by as a botanical artist. By answering these thought-provoking questions, I hope to learn from my work, celebrate the special moments and set thoughtful goals for the year ahead.

Which plant, flower, or natural subject kept returning in my work this year? 🫐

Blueberries. I find them endlessly fascinating to study throughout their growth cycle. They shift from a bright cobalt blue to their familiar deep purple, and each life stage offers something new to observe and draw. Their unique epicuticular wax scatters the light, making every individual berry a unique study.

I was also thrilled to win an award at Plantae for my 2025 entry Immature Blueberries, which has given this soft fruit a particularly special place in my memories of the year.

What new techniques or approaches did I experiment with this year?

This year I began painting on vellum, a high-quality, ethically sourced parchment.

Historic botanical artists such as Maria Sibylla Merian used vellum to create their work, and it has been fascinating to explore this traditional surface.

It is a challenging substrate to master as it is very dry and demanding, but vellum glows with a luminosity unlike any other. The process is vastly different from the mediums I usually favour, and while it comes with a steep learning curve, it’s one I’m excited to continue exploring in the year ahead.

Which moments in the studio or field brought me the most joy?

Watching my Patreon members learn, grow, and develop their own artistic talents brings me immense happiness and gratitude every single day. Being able to nurture this community and witness their unique artistic flair emerge through my tutorials is endlessly inspiring. I am deeply thankful for their ongoing support.

I also vividly remember the excitement of receiving the Jackson’s Art Prize at Plantae 2025, a truly joyful moment. I felt connected to the exhibition in a deep way, as I helped with the set-up and was lucky enough to view so many beautiful entries.

Which books, botanical artists, or naturalists shaped my work?

Dianne Sutherland has been invaluable in teaching me how to work on vellum, and I have been deeply inspired by both her new book and her leaf studies.

Rory McEwen also influenced my work this year; I painted a leaf inspired by him as part of a project for the Garden Museum. I learned a lot about his artistic motivations and feel in deep awe of his artwork.

You can watch a quick video of how I painted the leaf for the Garden Museum here.

Which plant families, forms, or ecosystems do I want to explore next year?

I would love to work with more fruit and vegetables. While flowers will always have a special place in my artwork, I’m especially drawn to the textures, forms, and colours of everyday kitchen staples.

Soft fruits remain my absolute favourite subject, so I suspect they’ll continue to make regular appearances in my work!

Which was your favourite Patreon tutorial to share?

I thoroughly enjoyed working on the Build As You Go series. Watching the project grow over time and sharing something new and unfamiliar with my Patrons was incredibly rewarding.

Working on a longer project really elevates the sense of accomplishment at the end of the process, and I know many Patrons felt the same sense of satisfaction.

Final Thoughts

2025 was a truly rewarding year of professional growth, learning and connection with my artistic community. I discovered fresh inspiration through new artists and materials and shared my work through exhibitions and my Patreon Channel.

Looking ahead, I hope to continue exploring new subjects while providing high-quality, thoughtful artistic education online. 2026 is my fifth year as a Patreon Creator; and I’m excited to continue sharing my knowledge.

I’d love to hear about your goals for 2026. Feel free to share them in the comments below!