In the art of traditional botanical painting dating back to ancient times, each flower is painted from real life plant specimens; with the purpose of documenting exotics, natives and endangered plant species, and increasing public awareness of the importance to respect and save our biotic resources. “I am fascinated with the architecture and complexity of plant structure and intrigued with the beauty of plant life.” Giclée hand signed prints and wrap around design note cards are available. Both included a detailed plant description.

California artist, Claudia Stevens, has painted and illustrated for over twenty five years and has taught drawing, painting and clay sculpture for eighteen years. Her work appears in Sunset Magazine, Bantam Books, Academic Press, Harcourt Brace and Company Rodale Press, Idaho University Press's and others. Her work can be found here in the United States and abroad.

Artist’s Technique: Using naturalist illustration and gouache painting, Claudia builds the color with multiple layers. Heavy archival hot press paper is used. Using a 'dry brush' technique and fine tipped brushes she slowly builds the painting. The microscope and lens play an integral part in discovering the inside world and detail of the plant.

Artist's Background: Claudia is a graduate of San Jose State University with a Master of Arts degree. She received her BFA degree in Printmaking and took one year of Scientific Illustration at the Univ. of California at Santa Cruz. Her work is sold in local bookstores, galleries and shops throughout Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties in California as well as in the Pacific Northwest. She is a recipient of the University of California Presidential Fellowship and the Chancellor's Award.

Claudia lives in coastal California and derives much of her creative energy from nature. The Mediterranean climate of Santa Cruz County provides a wide range of plant specimens, both California natives and world-wide exotics. Claudia gathers botanical specimens from international tropical rainforests as well as California’s Sierra Nevada and the Big Sur coast.

Claudia is a member of (ASBA) American Society of Botanical Artists