Sue Wickison was born and raised in Sierra Leone, West Africa, where her passion for natural history was inspired by her father—a teacher, amateur botanist, and artist. Together, they embarked on expeditions to locate, identify, and collect botanical specimens, nurturing her lifelong love for plants and illustration.

Sue’s career has taken her across the globe. She has contributed to illustrated books for the Agricultural and Forestry Departments in the Solomon Islands, Nepal, and Vanuatu. During an expedition to the Solomon Islands to collect orchids for Kew Gardens.

Sue discovered several new orchid species, including Coelogyne susanae, which was named in her honor. Additionally, she has designed over 50 natural history stamps for countries in the Pacific.

Now based in New Zealand, Sue continues working as a freelance botanical artist. Her focus includes the unique native flora of New Zealand as well as plants of global significance.