My 50 Botanical Animals That I Painted

I discovered my love for art in high school and carried it through to university, where I studied Illustration. My style of creating botanical animal art has been a progression throughout my life in art. If you look at my earliest artwork, you can see that I have always integrated botanical elements into my designs. It was a natural progression for me to continue exploring this theme and incorporate animals into the mix. I found that the combination of the intricate details of plants and flowers with the textures and patterns of animals was a perfect match.

My first job was as an in-house illustrator for a fashion company, where I would draw fun pictures for children's pajamas! After an amazing two years there, I was offered a job in London as an in-house artist for a leading greeting card brand, which I loved. I spent the next 10 years developing and learning about greeting cards. Then, when we relocated from London back to Yorkshire, I went freelance, licensing my designs to various brands before launching our own brand with my husband called Lola Design. We sell our designs on gifting, art prints, greeting cards, and interior wallpapers.

Over the years, I have developed a unique style that combines intricate botanical details with animals. I am constantly pushing myself to evolve and refine this style, which is a true reflection of my passion for the natural world and my love of art. It's crazy to think that I've been in the design industry for over 20 years now, and I haven't looked back. It's such a wonderful industry filled with very talented and lovely people. You will never find an industry like it.

One particularly meaningful and special piece of artwork that I have created is my botanical sea-themed artworks. These pieces hold a special place in my heart because, as a scuba diver, I have always had a fascination with the marine world. I have volunteered on various marine conservation projects around the world, including one in the Seychelles, where I helped monitor the delicate underwater ecosystem there.

During my time in the Seychelles, I had some truly magical experiences and was lucky enough to have natural encounters with whale sharks, participate in turtle tagging, and observe other beautiful marine creatures. These artworks are significant to me because they represent not only my love of art but also my passion for marine conservation. I believe that art can be a powerful tool for raising awareness about environmental issues, and these pieces reflect that belief. It is my hope that through my art, I can inspire others to appreciate the beauty and fragility of our planet's oceans and to take action to protect them.

When starting a new piece of artwork, having a clear idea of what you want to achieve is crucial. For me, I usually start with an idea of which animal I want to illustrate and go from there. I study how the animal looks and moves before sketching out rough ideas and thinking about the composition, color scheme, and other visual elements that will help bring my vision to life.

My usual rituals are to have a clear workspace and listen to some David Bowie music. While some artists prefer podcasts, it doesn't work for me, and I find it quite distracting. Creating an environment that is free from clutter and distractions is important for me to get into the right headspace for creating my art. Ultimately, the key to a successful creative process for me is to stay open and receptive to new ideas while also being focused and disciplined in my approach. By finding the right balance between structure and spontaneity, I can create work that is both personally fulfilling and resonates with others.

My artwork has evolved naturally over time as I have learned and incorporated new techniques into my creations. By combining my favorite techniques, I have developed a distinctive and unique style. Looking back at my earlier work, it's evident how my style has developed and matured over time.

Unlike many artists who are influenced by current trends, I have stayed true to my style, which is an important part of my brand identity. I have chosen to focus on creating pieces that are different from what others are doing, rather than following the crowd. This approach has helped me create a brand that stands out in the industry.

In terms of influences, I draw inspiration from the natural world and take time to reflect on the beauty around me. This inspiration impacts both who I am as an artist and the techniques I use to create my art. My unique style has developed naturally over time, guided by my commitment to staying true to myself and drawing inspiration from the natural world.