Artist's Projects

Originally from the UK, Sarah Roche brings over three decades of educational and artistic expertise to the classroom. Her teaching philosophy bridges traditional classroom techniques with practical step by step foundational techniques, making her teaching accessible to aspiring artists and seasoned illustrators alike in a relaxed classroom atmosphere.

She originally launched the Certificate of Botanical Art and Illustration program for Wellesley College’s outreach program in 2003, later transitioning the program to Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s headquarters at Elm Bank in 2023, where she is the Program Director and Lead Instructor.

Sarah holds a degree in Graphic Illustration from the University of the West of England, where she majored in Botanical Illustration. Her award-winning work has earned RHS medals as well as awards in juried national and international exhibits and is included in the permanent collection at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. She contributed to the American Society of Botanical Artists’ Botanical Art Techniques Handbook and many other horticultural publications. Sarah is also a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists, Fellow of the Society of Botanical Artists and an Artist Member of the Copley Society in Boston.

Her detail driven work celebrates the colours and textures of nature, exploring structure and detail to show character and spirit. Celebrating the rhythms of the natural world, Sarah captures the fragility and impermanence of her subjects, while describing their character with botanical accuracy. Her personal process celebrates the wonder of her subjects, bridging the gap between science and art, using observation and accuracy to tell the story.

Sharing her joy in this artistic process and making it accessible is what defines her teaching.

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Testimonials

I love taking classes with Sarah - she’s an incredibly generous instructor, sharing tips, tools, and techniques in a clear, easy to understand way. She’s very passionate about teaching botanical art and her classes are approachable and fun! — Cheryl McC

Before taking classes with Sarah, I didn’t think I could paint without knowing how to draw, and I assumed anything I painted would turn out completely abstract rather than looking like a real flower or piece of fruit. Sarah taught me how to truly see what is in front of me by breaking subjects down into simple shapes and explaining water control, layering, and limited-palette mixing in plain language. Her classes are joyful, endlessly positive, and leave you amazed at what you can create. — Angie

I have taken classes with Sarah Roche for over ten years and am constantly amazed how deftly she works with beginners and advanced students alike, all in one setting at times.She approaches each artist individually at an appropriate level, while never sacrificing the accuracy and detail of the finished product. I know because I was one of those beginners. Sarah’s classes are infused with encouragement and punctuated with good humor. Once you have taken one class with Sarah, you will want to sign up for more. — Martha S

Sarah has a gift for making watercolor feel completely approachable, even if you have never drawn before. She teaches you how to truly observe what is in front of you and simplifies tricky concepts like layering, undertones, and brush pigment/water control with memorable everyday phrases. There is never a dull moment in her studio, her feedback is uplifting, practical, and leaves you feeling proud of what you create. — Angie C

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