ABOUT ME

Hello, I’m Claire. A nature lover, self-taught illustrator and graphic designer based near Chichester, West Sussex, UK. 

I teach Green Sketching workshops, certified by Dr Ali Foxon (founder of the Green Sketching movement), as well as illustration commissions and graphic design work. 

About me

I’m a huge nature lover. The natural world can bring so much joy and endless fascination, as long as you take the time to notice it. Bees, birds, trees, shells on the beach… literally anything can get me excited! 

I’m also a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), a term I only came across a couple of years ago but which has changed my life. Realising that my physical need for quiet, natural space, as well as many other sensitivities, can be understood in this way has allowed me to live my life easier and happier. If you’re curious about being a HSP, or wonder if this might be you or someone you know, please take a look at the Highly Sensitive Person website.

I set up a small business in 2012 called Beetle Cherry to sell my wildlife artwork and handmade jewellery. I stopped selling in 2019 (see my Portfolio for some photos from those days, and hello to anyone who was been on this journey with me since then!) and instead focused on my graphic design work - I have designed tonnes of kids books, as well as material for wildlife charities. 

My drawing stopped for a few years when I had my two kids but I eventually got the drawing itch again, and this time I wanted to go back to using pencils and crayons and step away from digital drawing. Its been amazing falling in love with a sketchbook again, and especially when I discovered the joy of drawing outside. 

Green Sketching

All of this led me to Green Sketching, a new drawing movement started by Dr Ali Foxon who wanted to do some drawing when her baby was small, but without the pressure of completing a beautiful nature journal, or even worrying about if her drawings got finished. She realised that the magic of sketching like this - outside, with no pressure to create beautiful finished pieces - was life changing. The focus in looking and drawing is a wonderful tool for slowing down our busy lives, and for connecting with nature.

I am so passionate about sharing the joy of green sketching with others, and especially those who think they either can’t draw or aren’t interested in the natural world. I am in the process of setting up Green Sketching workshops, coming either Autumn 2023 or Spring 2024. See Workshop FAQs or sign up to my mailing list (see bottom of the page) to be kept up to date.

I continue to do my graphic design work and illustration commissions alongside my workshops.

Some interesting things I’ve done

  • Green Sketching training with Dr Ali Fox

  • I volunteered at RSPB Pulborough Brooks, helping to run family workshops, like pond dipping and bug hunting

  • I did a research trek into the Sumatran rainforest to study wild orangutans

  • I had some of my drawings fill a huge gallery space at the Booth Museum of Natural History in Brighton (you can still go see them)

  • I made a quick banner (see right) to take to Chris Packham’s March for Wildlife protest in London in 2018, and now The Guardian regularly uses a photo of my face and that banner in articles about wildlife!

  • I have set up a local wildlife group for residents in the village where I live

  • I briefly worked at the Booth Museum of Natural History, recataloguing their huge butterfly collection, as well as helping to run visitor events

  • I helped monitor nesting seabirds for a season at RSPB Langstone Harbour

  • I’m trying to raise two small nature-loving kids (the hardest thing on this list for sure!)

  • I read Gerald Durrells ‘My Family and Other Animals’ and fell in love with the natural world. This is where it all started for me, many moons ago. I highly recommend it.