Dear Rachel

Your parents sound amazing. Im so sorry you werent able to pursue a career in art, but how wonderful to be doing it now, and, as a fellow 50 year old, yorue still young! Plenty of years of painting ahead of you! I know lots of botanical illustrators who are still wielding their brushes into their late 80s, so there’s plenty of time to do some catching up. But yes. I can imagine the “what if”s loom large. And yes, I am incredibly lucky to have had the consistent support of my parents. It meant everything felt possible thanks so much for your comment x

Hi Beth what a lovely comment, and I know. So many people should be more at home with drawing, it’s really important. At least you found solace in books. But drawing isn’t really taught anymore in schools here, and nature study tends to be genetics and biochemistry. I fear there’ll be a lot more people sharing your feelings…. And yes, I am deeply grateful to have been raised in an arty, nature-filled home. I am incredibly lucky. Thanks for your kind comments about my work x Lizzie

Hi Peter

I agree entirely. There were definitely problems with late Victorian education (not least that women were basically being trained to be “ladies” rather than to have fufilling jobs) but the way nature was taught does seem to be a really good approach. And, like you say, this relates to taking the time to observe and think. And yes, with my own kids, I see them racing through topic after diverse topic, being force-fed the relevant bullet points. How any child can relish the joy or exploration and learning in such a highly charged environment is a puzzle to me too. Thanks for your comment. Lizzie

Regards Peter

Hi Dwight, yes. And beyond that, what you say about when words fail is very true. I often think that drawing needs to be taught far, far more seriously at school. Not only does it appeal to kids who may not excel academically, but it also has massive mental health benefits. Its terribly trendy to talk about mindfulness right now, but the feeling of getting utterly lost in drawing, of focus and everything else falling away – I think it IS good for the soul, as well as a lovely thing to do. i agree with you. X

Ooh Helen, I’m super-jealous of the nature lessons you had! A year long study of a lilac and a sycamore? How wonderful! I rather wish there was more of that sort of education out there now, I think it might help re-attach people to the living environment around them at a time when we really need to be tuning in to nature on so many levels. Thanks for the encouragement, and for sharing your experience of nature lessons! Yours Lizzie