About The Artist

Helen Smithwick lives with her husband, Bob, in Colorado Springs, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. After retirement, Helen returned to her first love – that of drawing and painting. She began taking classes at the Denver Botanic Gardens in 2010 and fell in love with everything – the opportunity to study, the different media to which she was introduced, and the excellent instruction. She graduated with distinction after completing the requirements for the Foundational Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration in 2013. She received the Sydney Parkinson Award for excellence in botanical illustration and best overall portfolio for her graduating class. She is a member of the American Society of Botanical Illustrators and the Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists. Her work has been displayed locally in several juried exhibitions.