Mary Crabtree

Botanical Artist

Education

  • B.S., Microbiology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD USA, 1980

  • M.S., Microbiology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO USA, 1985

  • Botanical Colored Pencil Workshops with Ann Swan; Spain (6), Morocco, and France, 2018 to 2024

  • Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration with Distinction, School of Botanical Art and Illustration, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver, CO, USA, 2021

  • Botanical Art Workshop with Giacomina Ferrillo, Transylvania School of Botanic Art and Illustration, Copsa Mare, Romania, 2022

  • Botanical Illustration Diploma Course (online studies) Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Scotland, 2021 to 2024

Career

  • Research Microbiologist, Molecular Arbovirology and Entomology, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA, 1985 to 2015

  • Botanical Artist, 2017 to Present

Exhibitions

  • Denver Botanic Gardens, True to Form:  Botanical Art and Illustration exhibition, Denver, CO, USA, 2019

  • Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists, Feathers and Flora exhibition, Boulder, CO, USA, 2019

  • Denver Botanic Gardens, Garden Haven exhibition, Denver, CO, USA, 2020

  • American Society of Botanical Artists, 23rd International Exhibition, Bronx, NY, USA, 2020

  • Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists, Rocky Mountain Wild exhibition, Colorado Springs, CO, USA, 2021

  • Association of Botanical Artists, ReflectionS juried digital exhibition, Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, UK, 2021

  • Society of Botanical Artists, Plantae 2022 exhibition, Mall Galleries, London, UK, 2022

  • Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists, Wild Wild West, Vail/Boulder/Lakewood, CO, USA, 2022

  • American Society of Botanical Artists, 25th International Exhibition, Bronx, NY, USA, 2022

  • American Society of Botanical Artists 26th International Exhibition, Ross, CA, USA, 2023

  • Society of Botanical Artists, Plantae 2024 exhibition, online.

  • Curtis Center for the Arts, 41st Annual All Colorado Art Show, Greenwood Village, CO, USA, 2024

  • Arvada Center for the Arts, Art of the State Exhibition, Arvada, CO, 2025

  • Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists, Trees exhibition, Boulder, Gunnison, Paonia, Denver, CO, and Casper, WY, USA, 2025-2026

  • Town of Silverthorne, Botanical Art Exhibition, Silverthorne, CO, 2025

  • American Society of Botanical Artists, 28th International Exhibition, Ross, CA, USA, 2025

  • Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists, Trees Enlarged, Denver International Airport, Denver, CO, USA 2026

Upcoming Exhibitions

  • Milkweeds of the US Great Plains Region, Royal Horticultural Society Botanical Art and Photography Show, Saatchi Gallery, London, UK, 2026

Additional Highlights

  • Artwork reproduced in Denver Botanic Gardens, School of Botanical Art and Illustration, Course Catalogs and Promotional Materials, Denver, CO, USA, 2018 to 2023

  • Artwork reproduced on Denver Mountain Parks Interpretive Signage, Denver, CO, USA, 2019

  • Artist in Residence, Glenn A. Jones Memorial Library, Johnstown, CO, USA, 2020 and 2023

  • Featured in Conversations with our Artists:  Mary Crabtree, by Laura Bethmann, The Botanical Artist, Journal of the ASBA, Vol. 27, Issue 3, pg. 34, September 2021

  • Approved for Exhibition at RHS Botanical Art shows, Royal Horticultural Society, London, UK, 2021

  • Artwork reproduced on Award Certificates, Colorado Native Plant Society, CO, USA, 2022

  • Juror, Certificate Candidate Portfolios, School of Botanical Art and Illustration, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver, CO, USA, 2023

  • Cover artwork, The Botanical Artist, Journal of the ASBA, Vol. 29, Issue 4, December 2023

  • Juror, Society of Ukrainian Botanical Artists, Rare Plants of the World, Kyiv, Ukraine, 2024.

  • Artwork included in “Composite Composition” e-booklet by Margaret Best, 2024

  • ‘Milkweeds of the Great Plains’ article, The Botanical Artist, Journal of the ASBA, Vol. 31, Issue 3, pg. 30, September 2025

  • ‘Wildflower Watch’ series coordinator, The Botanical Artist, Journal of the ASBA, 2025-present

  • Artwork included in ‘Watercolour Botanical Art: The Complete Practical Guide for Artists” by Sarah Howard with Rachel Pedder-Smith, cover and pg. 157, 2026

Awards

  • Certificate of Botanical Merit Award, Society of Botanical Artists, Plantae 2024 Online Exhibition, 2024

  • Honorable Mention, American Society of Botanical Artists, 28th Annual International Exhibition, Ross, CA, USA, 2025

Memberships and Committees

  • American Society of Botanical Artists (Member, Board of Directors; Chair, Green Committee; The Botanical Artist Journal, Wildflower Watch Series Coordinator)

  • Society of Botanical Artists, Fellow

  • Association of Botanical Artists

  • Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists (Exhibits Team Member)

Artwork Media

  • Watercolor on vellum and paper

  • Colored pencil on paper

  • Graphite on paper