Botanical artist Susan Christopher-Coulson is exhibiting at Beningbrough Hall and gardens, near York, a year later than first planned.

"The exhibition is an accumulation of more than two years' work and had to be postponed for a year due to the closure of the property as a precaution during last year's foot and mouth outbreak," says Susan.

She trained originally as a fashion designer and illustrator, working mainly in London, but had been interested in drawing plants and fruits since childhood, particularly enjoying the observation and attention to detail.

"When an opportunity to return to the North arose, I was able to focus more on this," she says. "I began to exhibit in late 1997 and held my first solo show at Harlow Carr Gardens in Harrogate in 1998, where much interest and surprise was shown in my use of coloured pencils.

"This is my usual medium, mainly due to the enjoyment of drawing itself and because of the depths and clarity of tones and translucency achievable with these pencils."

Susan has been elected to membership of both the Society of Botanical Artists and Society of Floral Painters and has exhibited twice at the Royal Horticultural Society in London, in November 1999 and 2001, receiving the society's gold medal on both occasions.

Susan's show at the National Trust property of Beningbrough Hall runs until November 3, open daily from 11am to 5pm. Admission to the hall gardens - £3.80 adult, £1.80 child, family £9, National Trust members and under-fives free - includes entry to the exhibition.

Updated: 08:34 Friday, October 11, 2002