As a gardener there would be many times when you have come across beautiful botanical illustrations. Those watercolour masterpieces that pioneered our taste for Flickr, Picasa and the digital camera.

Today we're blessed, or perhaps cursed, with the ability to snap an image of any, and every, flower in our gardens. However, it wasn't that long ago that botanical illustrations were the only way we could see a glimpse of flowers and plants in other parts of the world. Their intricate design and incredible close colour match can still put many photographs to shame (certainly mine, anyway).

To succeed as a botanical illustration, a watercolor must combine accurate observation, graceful drawing, meticulous brushwork, and canny color mixing.

I enjoy art in its many forms and to know how and why these were created and treasured is awe-inspiring.

Take a journey here if you're interested in knowing more...