Watercolour on 300 gm Fabriano Classico paper

170 x 146 mm. (6 3/4 x 5 3/4 in.)

Valerie is a highly experienced Botanical Artist and Calligrapher who lives and works in the charming Cotswold village of Painswick in Gloucestershire. She gained a scholarship at the age of thirteen to Sutton Art School where the Headmaster Edward Bulley, well known for his illuminated bibles in Westminster Cathedral, started her in her life long love of Calligraphy.

She started botanical painting in 2000 and at that time became a member of the Gloucestershire Society for Botanical Illustration. Valerie paints mainly in watercolour on 300gm Fabriano Classico watercolour paper using multiple layers of paint to create the vibrant depth of colours. In January 2004 she submitted paintings to the Royal Horticultural Society in London and was awarded a Silver Medal for her Acer leaves. She exhibited her work in the Royal Horticultural Society in January 2007 show where she again was awarded a Silver Medal this time for her Orchid paintings. She is now one of the official Orchid painters for the RHS painting award winning plants.

Her paintings are exhibited widely and many are to be found in various private collections. Recently she had her first one woman show at the Wycliffe College in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. She is a member of many societies and has won numerous awards over the years and she is proud to have one of her calligraphic designs accepted as part of the National Silver Trust collection.