Inspired by her mother who was a passionate gardener and an accomplished landscape watercolourist, Ailsa studied botanical illustration with Jenny Phillips, combining her own love of gardening with her interest in fine pen and pencil drawing and watercolour.

She is presently involved in a commission to produce fine pen drawings, using a microscope, of Australian native seeds for a botanical publication. She is also branching out into different media, including gouache and acrylic, and printmaking, exploring a more personal vision.

A solo exhibition at her home studio is planned in the near future.