Combining Illustration, Plant biogeography and Ecology
Sarah Crowe is a British Artist, Illustrator and Ecologist specialising in Native plants and the insects they support
My work and ethos
Sarah's’ early professional life was rooted in practical conservation ecology with a focus on plants, their role in forming communities (plant community ecology) to broader habitats and micro-ecosystems (plant biogeography). Plants are keystones in nature and helping to inform and engage the public in their importance forms a major part of my ethos in my professional work today as an illustrator and artist and I welcome commissioned work where illustration work is being used to widen the public knowledge in a positive way.
Since 2026, work has become increasingly focused on those plant communities that provide food and refuge for essential insect communities (natures key workers); including Bumble and Honey bees, Butterflies and Moths, Dragon and Damselflies. The connectivity between these plant communities is of equal focus and allows me to use my previous professional knowledge on habitat corridors aka road and path verges to gardens of all sizes.
Coloured Pencil (dry and watersoluble), Graphite (dry and watersoluble) and Ink are used for all pieces of illustration work
Commissioned work: Species on the Edge
Sarah has been working with Species on the Edge Orkney, on a number of connected projects including delivering illustrated pieces for inclusion onto a new interpretation board, working with a local group of school children on illustrating a target species (Plantain Leaf Beetle) and teaching them about the botany of the beetles food plants and providing a professional illustration of the beetle for a NatureScot postcard.
Details of all these projects can be found in the work section of the website here
Professional Development: Buglife B-lines John Muir Pollinator Way
In November 2025, Sarah successfully received funding from Creative Scotland’s’ VACMA to undertake a bikepacking and plant/insect recording journey along the John Muir Way, which was the first corridor mapped by Buglife ICT which they named the John Muir Pollinator Way, with the aim of gradually connecting the existing natural plant communities with community-established wildflower meadows. Over 6 days in late June 2026, Sarah will cycle the John Muir Way (east to west, as the conservationist John Muir journeyed from his birthtown to his port of departure for North America), stopping with her sketchbook where she finds plant communities supporting insect communities. The work will allow her development of outdoor field sketching and recording skills and provide work that will add to her portfolio, and form a small curated exhibition.
