Artists > Karen Bailey
After a career teaching in higher education, in 2005 I had the time to pursue a long-held ambition to paint botanical subjects. I attended many residential courses and eventually found a local tutor who gave excellent tuition and motivation. My interest in alpine plants particularly was inspired by my father –a Chelsea Flower Show gold-medallist for his show gardens in the 1940’s - and who had worked in and eventually managed the famous Six Hills Nurseries in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.
I paint in watercolour on hot-pressed paper and vellum. I use small brushes of Kolinsky sable and try, as much as possible, to use pure pigment with only a small amount of mixing.
I was awarded full-membership (now Fellow) of the Society of Botanical Artists in 2016 and have exhibited regularly at the Society’s annual exhibitions and at other venues. I gained a Certificate of Botanical Merit in 2013 at the SBA exhibition in Westminster, London. In 2019 I exhibited at the RHS London Show and was awarded a Silver-Gilt Medal for my paintings of gentians.
