Watercolour painting of Rosa 'Fighting Temeraire' by Jarnie Godwin

About Jarnie

Jarnie is a self-taught botanical artist painting realistic, detailed, and vibrant botanical watercolours. In 2025 she was awarded an RHS GOLD Medal for her series of watercolour paintings, ‘Tulipa: Species & Botanical Class Tulips’

Born in London, she has also been a teacher, a graphic designer, and received a formal training in Architecture. The work Jarnie focuses on as a botanical artist combines her love of structure, vibrancy and detail, with precision and realism at its heart. Her passion for botanical painting lies in vivid colour, detail, and capturing beautiful, but not always perfect flowers at larger than life size.

Her work is also found in both private and public collections, including the prestigious Hunt Institute of Botanical Documentation in Pittsburgh. In 2023 her first book, 'Vibrant Botanical Painting' was published by The Crowood Press.

Selected Exhibitions & Publications

2025 Tulipa: Species and Botanical Class Tulips. RHS Botanical Art & Photography Exhibition. Saatchi Gallery, London. RHS GOLD Medal

2025 ‘Plantae: SBA 40th Anniversary Exhibition. Mall Galleries. London.

2023 ‘Vibrant Botanical Painting: The life of plants in watercolour’ published by The Crowood Press

2021 Echinacea: Life in full colour. RHS Botanical Art & Photography Exhibition. Saatchi Gallery, London. RHS Silver-Gilt Medal

2021 ‘She Who Dwells in Shadow’ in exhibition at the ‘Floreat’ group exhibition. Timothy Langston Gallery, Pimlico. London.  

2019 ‘Waterlily’ - 16th International Exhibition of Botanical Art & Illustration. Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation. Hunt permanent collection

'Solitude' watercolour painting of Rosa 'Fighting Temeraire' by Jarnie Godwin

Exploring the mystery of plants

Every painting tell a story. Throughout her practice as a botanical artist, Jarnie has continued to engage with subjects that have character and as she calls, it ‘a soul’. ‘I really want my paintings to engage and to enliven a conversation, a memory, an exploration. I see my botanical subjects almost as a portrait painter sees a person. In my work I seek their character, and hope to embody this in my work’.

  • Tulipa orphanidea 'Major' watercolour on paper by Jarnie Godwin
  • Botanical watercolour illustration of Tulipa 'Lilac Wonder', including a pink-violet flower with yellow centre, a partially open pink flower, and a bud with a bulb and roots.
  • Tulipa humilis 'Persian Pearl' watercolour on paper by Jarnie Godwin
  • Tulipa clusiana 'Peppermintstick' botanical illustration of various tulip flowers in different stages of blooming with visible roots.
  • Tulipa 'Little Beauty' botanical illustration of several plants with bright pink flowers and green leaves, showing roots below."
  • Tulipa 'Cornuta' botanical illustration of several flowers with bright green leaves, a bulb with roots, and tall, flame red blooms.

Get in touch.

If you would like to discuss a purchase, a commission, or have a project in mind, it would be lovely to hear from you.

mail@jarniegodwinart.com