After qualifying in Scientific and Natural History Illustration from Blackpool College, Cheryl worked for several years as a successful freelance Illustrator working with leading Artists Agent , producing illustrations for use in publishing and advertising for clients which included, Country Living Magazine, Tesco, Sainsbury, Marshall Cavendish, Ward Lock and Times Books.

During this time she also worked as a freelance finished artist for a company specialising in the area of thematic cartography. Working on many of the Times Thematic atlases producing illustrations and creating new and amending existing artworks including the Times Atlas of World History (4th Edition) and Times Concise Atlas of World History and Times Atlas of past Worlds.

Cheryl is a versatile and accomplished watercolour artist and teacher. Whilst best best known for her botanical paintings and studies of plants and flowers, her work is varied in both subject and treatment. Living and working in South Derbyshire, horticulture, countryside and her local environment provide the  inspiration for her paintings. 

She is a Fellow of The Society of Botanical Artists receiving the St. Cuthberts Mill Award in 2010 and is the recipient of a RHS Silver – Gilt Medal in Botanical Painting (BBC Gardener's World Live 2010). She is a also member of Peak District Artisans and artists@arts melbourne with whom she regularly exhibits .