Your Doctor and The Society of Botanical Artists in the U.K.

Health Diplomacy

A Life-Changing Journey in Botanical Art

What began as an unexpected pivot during the pandemic has blossomed into the most transformative chapter of my artistic life. In 2021, I embarked upon the prestigious distance learning program with the Society of Botanical Artists in the UK—a 2.5-year odyssey that would fundamentally reshape my understanding of both art and nature's intricate beauty. Under the masterful guidance of twelve exceptional professional botanical artist mentors, I discovered not merely technique, but a profound reverence for the delicate intersection of scientific observation and artistic expression. The journey culminated in London in May 2024, where I had the extraordinary honor of graduating and witnessing my lilies and orchid painting selected for publication in their internationally acclaimed botanical art exhibition—a recognition that still fills me with wonder and gratitude.

This foundation was further enriched through my studies with the magnificent artist Ursula Romero in the sun-drenched hills of Albuñuelas, Spain, where I learned to see light and form through entirely new eyes. These experiences have opened doors I never imagined possible: I now serve the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kauai at Limahuli Garden, where my art becomes a vessel for raising awareness about Hawaii's precious endangered native plants. Last spring, I had the privilege of teaching botanical illustration in Jamaica through Bastyr University's "Herbal Medicine of the West Indies" course, working alongside esteemed colleagues and our Rasta elder traditional Maroon herbalists in St. Mary's Parish—an experience that deepened my appreciation for the sacred relationship between plants and healing traditions. 

As I prepare to return to Jamaica in 2026 as a professor of botanical medicine and art, and develop a botanical art retreat for Kauai's fall season, I find myself standing at the threshold of what feels like a divinely orchestrated second career to enrich my holistic medical practice. With immense gratitude for these abundant blessings, I am embracing newfound freedom as a fine arts painter, expanding into larger watercolors and oils that celebrate the magnificent tapestry of creation. Through original works, prints, and both online and in-person instruction, I am honored to share this journey with students and fellow artists, knowing that each brushstroke serves not only artistic expression for me as a woman but also the vital mission of plant conservation and the celebration of our natural world's irreplaceable beauty.

A woman, Hilary Costello, standing on a sidewalk in front of a building decorated with white flowers and UK flag in a polka dot dress.
Bright orange, purple, and blue bird of paradise flower in a lush greenhouse setting.
Woman smiling and holding a diploma from the Society of Botanical Artists
A person in purple clothing holding a glass vase with a tall stem of pink and white flowers, sitting on a patterned rug with a white table nearby.

Spain

Two women standing inside a house, smiling at the camera. One is wearing a black and white checkered dress, and the other is wearing a navy blue dress with pink accents. The room has white walls, teal ceiling beams, and artwork on the wall.
A person's foot wearing a brown sandal with red toenail polish, visible on a yellow skirt, walking on decorative stone pavement with leaf and pebble patterns.
A woman in sunglasses, a white tank top, a yellow skirt, and sandals standing in a doorway with intricate Moroccan-style archway and ceiling carvings.
Close-up of a decorative mosaic tile ceiling with geometric patterns, colorful tiles including blue, green, yellow, black, and white, surrounded by intricate floral border designs.
Intricate Islamic or Moorish archway with detailed stucco carvings, arched windows, and a view of a garden with trees and greenery.
A two-story beige stucco house with wooden shutters, a small balcony with wrought iron railing, and multiple outdoor wall-mounted lanterns, with tree branches casting shadows on its facade during daylight.
A woman sitting on a decorative tiled bench outdoors, with a rocky and green background.
A woman in a purple dress stands next to a large, vibrant pink bougainvillea bush in front of a white house with a black fence, on a sunny day with a clear blue sky.
Person holding a small glass vase with a tall stem of purple and white flowers, wearing purple pants and sitting on a purple blanket in a room with a colorful ornate rug and a white table.

Jamaica

Close-up of four large jackfruit hanging from a tree trunk, with green leaves and a background of blue sky and distant people.
Two women standing in a lush green field of banana plants, smiling at the camera, with blue skies and scattered clouds overhead.
Woman painting a floral watercolor with pink flowers and green leaves at an outdoor table overlooking a beach, ocean, and trees.
Group of people participating in a watercolor painting class in a rustic, open-air setting with natural light, surrounded by potted plants and a large tropical flower arrangement.
Watercolor paint set with a paintbrush, surrounded by colorful flowers, leaves, and botanical objects on a windowsill.
Group of people working together on a craft project involving green leaves and plant materials at a covered outdoor table

Kauai

Bright red and orange exotic flower with ruffled petals surrounded by dark green leaves.
A yellow-orange flower with elongated petals among green leafy foliage.
Close-up of a pink flower with long, thin stamens and curled petals, growing on a branch with dark buds, set against large green palm leaves and a clear blue sky.
A woman standing amidst large lush green tropical leaves and plants in a dense jungle or rainforest.
Two women jumping in the air on a dirt path in a lush green jungle or rainforest.
Close-up of a large pink and peach hibiscus flower being held by a person's hand, with green foliage in the background.
A woman sitting on a bench in a lush green park with a large tropical tree and misty mountains in the background.
Two women standing outdoors on a porch holding a watercolor painting of a landscape with mountains, water, and a branch with leaves. One woman has long curly hair, wearing a black top and cream skirt. The other woman has dark hair tied up, wearing a
Two women are on a porch with tropical plants outside. One woman with curly hair, wearing a black top and a cream skirt, is standing. The other woman with dark hair in a bun with a bow, wearing a black top, is sitting at a table with botanical illust