Cicely Mary Barker, the beloved artist whose Flower Fairies series has captivated generations, was born in West Croydon, England, in 1895. As a child, Barker had epilepsy. At the time, it was believed she should spend a lot of time in bed to help manage her condition. During these times she found solace and inspiration in her love of art. She spent countless hours immersing herself in the works of renowned illustrators like Kate Greenaway and Randolph Caldecott.

Growing up in a supportive family, Cicely was encouraged to pursue her artistic passions. She honed her skills at the Croydon School of Art, developing a unique style characterised by delicate lines and vibrant colours. Her early works featured sketches and artworks both from life and her imagination, foreshadowing the themes that would later define her career.

At just sixteen, Cicely was honoured with life membership in the Croydon Art Society, becoming the youngest person ever to receive this prestigious recognition. The art critic for the Croydon Advertiser praised her work, noting, "Her drawings exhibit a remarkable freedom of spirit and show distinct promise."

Cicely's father died suddenly when she was 17, and the family had to adjust to life without him. Cicely used her art skills to support her family by earning money, and started by designing postcards. Her first postcards were of children from the countries fighting alongside Great Britain in the First World War (1914-1918).

Cicely always loved fairies and nature. When she was 28, she published her first book of Flower Fairies. As well as drawing the illustrations, she also wrote the poems. Each fairy was intricately designed to represent a specific flower, embodying its unique qualities and personality. Barker's attention to detail extended to the botanical accuracy of her floral illustrations, ensuring that her work was both enchanting and informative.

Beyond her artistic talents, Cicely was a devout Christian. Her faith influenced her work, often incorporating religious themes into her illustrations. In addition to illustrating children's books, she also created religious artwork for greetings cards and postcards, and to decorate the churches she knew and visited.

Her artistic contributions were recognised beyond local circles, as one of her paintings of the Christ Child, The Darling of the World Has Come, was purchased by Queen Mary in 1926.

Cicely Mary Barker passed away peacefully on February 16, 1973, at the age of 77, and her ashes were scattered in Storrington churchyard. People she knew remembered her being kind, full of imagination, and always drawing or painting.  

Today the Flower Fairy books are published by Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd and have been translated in 20 different languages, so people around the world can still enjoy the fairy world that Cicely created.

Visit Watts Gallery and immerse yourself in the magical world of Cicely Mary Barker. Explore her original artwork, learn about her life and inspirations, and discover the Flower Fairies.

Flower Fairies: The Magical World of Cicely Mary Barker, on display at Watts Gallery until April 27, 2025.