Beverley Johnston

Beverley Johnston (nee Dancey) was born at Forest Gate, East London on 19th January 1963, but spent her formative years in Harold Hill/Romford Essex. After taking her "A" Level Art a year early, she went on to complete an Art Foundation Course at East Ham College of Technology. She continued her Education there and completed a 3 year Society of Industrial Artists and Designers/College Diploma in Graphic Design.

Illustration and drawing played an important role on the course, and Beverley was Highly Commended in the 1983 BBC Wildlife Magazine's "Wildlife Illustrator of the Year Award", by distinguished artist Sir Peter Scott. However, she opted for a career as a Graphic Designer, considering her style too stylised to make a living as a Commercial Artist (and in her words she "didn't want to be told what, or how, to draw!")

With the introduction of the computer into the workplace, Beverley began to yearn for the tactile experience of putting pencil to paper. This prompted her into attending an Adult Education night class in Drawing and Painting. A passion for drawing ensued, and with the encouragement of her tutor and family, she put on her first local exhibition in July 1997. Sadly, due to bereavement, including the loss of her husband and father in quick succession, her dream of becoming a full-time professional artist was put on hold. By February 2000 she felt ready to continue, so in July 2000 she launched her career at the Artists & Illustrators Magazine Exhibition, Olympia. She also launched her own publishing company, Flora and Fauna Arts. 2001 sees the introduction of her first Limited Edition Prints and Greeting Cards, based on her favourite subject matter of Wildlife, Animals and Flowers. She intends to benefit the conservation of these through the sale of her work, and looks forward to forging partnerships with Environmental and Wildlife Groups.

Achievements to date:

1983: Highly Commended in the BBC Wildlife Magazine "Wildlife Illustrator of the Year Award"

1997: Highly Commended in the Derwent/NPI "Go Wild" Drawing Competition

2000: Winner of the Open Section of the Born Free Foundation's amateur Art Competition

2001: 2 pictures accepted into the Society of Wildlife Artists Annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London

E-mail : bevj@fsmail.net