Suzanne grew up in Sussex, and went to Worthing High School. She attended Life classes with a sculptress who stressed the importance of accuracy when drawing human anatomy. This skill was applied to plant structure when she took up Botanical illustration at Flatford Mill under Mary Grierson, the Kew Illustrator.
She has illustrated wild life and rare plants for conservation groups, brochures for Horsham District Council’s Nature reserves and a wildlife calendar for R.S.P.C.A. She taught Adult Education at Steyning Grammar School and is currently painting Steyning Community Orchard’s heritage collection of apple trees.
She has exhibited in the Society of Women Artists, Royal Horticultural Society London, RHS Rosemoor Devon and in the South of England. In 2012 she was awarded a RHS Silver-gilt medal for her collection of eight heritage vegetables, grown in her Storrington garden. Her work is held in the Lindley Library (London), Horsham Museum and in private collections here and abroad.
Suzy Merrikin Botanical Artist 