Becoming a freelance watercolor illustrator wasn’t something I planned from the very beginning—it was something that evolved naturally over time. With a love for nature, a passion for painting, and a deep interest in plants and flowers, I found my voice in botanical watercolor illustration and built a creative business around it.
Early Inspiration
My journey started with a simple love for drawing and observing the natural world. As a child, I spent hours in my family garden observing flowers and plants, gathering herbs for teas with my grandma, not knowing that these quiet moments would one day shape my career. Over time, I discovered watercolor painting, and the medium felt like home. Its softness, fluidity, and transparent layering matched perfectly with how I wanted to depict nature.
Studying Art and Honing My Skills
Although I didn’t take a traditional academic route focused solely on botanical art, I spent years learning techniques, exploring different mediums, and developing a signature style. I took courses in traditional illustration and art fundamentals while earning my Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. I spent a couple of years in graphic design before becoming a freelance illustrator. Once I had a pretty good idea of the portfolio I wanted to develop, I practiced (a lot!) to improve my hand-painted watercolor techniques.
Eventually, I found myself gravitating toward painting plants, flowers, foliage, and natural forms. I loved the balance between scientific accuracy and expressive brushwork. That’s when I knew I wanted to specialize in botanical watercolor illustration.
From Passion to Profession
Transitioning to a professional freelance illustrator didn’t happen overnight. I began by sharing my work online—on social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest—and slowly built a community of people who appreciated my art.
My first freelance clients found me through freelancer platforms and commissioned custom watercolor illustrations for weddings, product packaging, editorial, and more. Consistent growth of my portfolio and content helped me grow steadily. I learned how to quote projects, communicate with clients, license my artwork, and meet deadlines—all key skills for a freelance watercolor illustrator.
Building a Sustainable Illustration Career
As my business grew, I refined my offerings and narrowed my focus to what I love most: botanical art for publishing, packaging illustration, and surface design. I built a portfolio of commercial work, attended online trade shows, and expanded my reach by offering custom plant illustrations, editorial food artwork, and scientific botanical drawings.
Now, I run a full-time illustration studio from Vancouver, working with clients worldwide. Each project is different, but my process is rooted in nature, storytelling, and hand-crafted detail.
Advice for Aspiring Freelance Illustrators
If you're thinking about becoming a freelance watercolor illustrator, here are a few things I’ve learned:
Find your niche. Specializing in something like botanical illustration helps you stand out.
Build an online presence. A clear portfolio and consistent online updates help people discover your work.
Create a smooth client process. Be clear about timelines, deliverables, and revisions.
Never stop learning. Illustration trends and client needs change—keep evolving.
Final Thoughts
Being a freelance watercolor illustrator allows me to live a life rooted in creativity, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. Whether I’m illustrating healing herbs, wildflowers, or recipes, I feel incredibly grateful to turn my passion for painting into a thriving business.
Ready to Work Together?
If you're looking for a freelance watercolor illustrator to bring your ideas to life—whether for publishing, product packaging, or a custom botanical surface design project—I’d love to hear from you! Explore my professional history or get in touch to start a project.