Gillian trained as a scientific illustrator at the Middlesex Polytechnic and Royal college of Art, London. She has held the position of Resident Botanical Artist at the National Herbarium, SANBI, in Pretoria for the last 26 years. She has received a number of awards from international organisations and recently had a painting accepted for Prince Charles’ florilegium.

Gillian has participated in many international exhibitions including the Hunt institution, Royal Horticultural society and Kirstenbosch Biennale where she has won both gold and silver medals. She is currently exhibiting at the newly opened Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, Kew Gardens.