Fiona Strickland RSW and Robert McNeill RSW are an award‑winning husband‑and‑wife artist partnership, internationally recognised for their distinctive contemporary watercolour practice. Both elected members of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour (RSW), they are highly regarded for their technical mastery, refined use of colour, and shared commitment to observation‑based painting.
Their work draws inspiration from overlooked plant forms found within rural and post‑industrial landscapes, transforming familiar botanical subjects into images of striking clarity and presence. Exploring themes of growth, decay, and regeneration, their paintings balance precision with atmosphere, resulting in works that feel both intimate and quietly powerful. Through carefully considered compositions and an assured command of the medium, they position watercolour as a sophisticated and relevant contemporary practice rather than a purely illustrative one.
Their combined interests focus on local habitats and biodiversity, reflecting a sensitivity to place and environment that resonates strongly with collectors and institutions alike. Together, Strickland and McNeill offer a unified yet nuanced artistic voice, producing works that are prized for their technical excellence, refined aesthetic, and lasting visual appeal. Their paintings are held in major public and private collections worldwide and are increasingly sought after on the international market.
Strickland's practice is defined by a highly selective and intuitive approach to subject matter. Drawn to marginal and often uncelebrated plant forms, she creates compositions that reveal structure, resilience, and vulnerability in unexpected ways. By elevating scale, embracing imperfection, and employing unconventional viewpoints, her work invites sustained looking and rewards close attention.
Renowned for her technical mastery, she combines exceptional precision with subtle, layered colour and a confident command of the medium. Each work balances disciplined control with expressive freedom, resulting in paintings of striking presence and lasting visual depth.
Both studied drawing and painting at the prestigious Edinburgh College of Art, receiving scholarships to Hospitalfield House and travelling scholarships to Italy and France, before completing their postgraduate studies in a studio overlooking the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh—an experience that continues to inform the intellectual and visual rigour of their work today.
Strickland’s watercolours have received significant recognition, including an RHS Gold Medal, Best in Show from the American Society of Botanical Artists, and multiple awards from the Society of Botanical Artists and the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour.
Her work is held in major public and private collections worldwide, including those of Dr Shirley Sherwood O.B.E., the RHS Lindley Library, and the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation. She has exhibited internationally at leading galleries, museums, and art fairs, and her work is increasingly sought after by collectors for its technical excellence, thoughtful subject matter, and enduring appeal.