Rhian Hicks

Rhian Hicks is an accomplished illustrator and painter

She says that she can't remember a time she wasn't painting and drawing having learned many of her initial skills at her grandmothers table. Her "Nan" being an accomplished painter in oils in her own right.

Rhian's skills were further developed through "O" and "A" level Art classes before she decided to follow a scientific career at university level following her other love geology. During this time Rhian developed a love for caving being a member of the University of Glamorgan Caving Club.

Following her time at University, she joined the Morgannwg Caving Club based in Cardiff and with them explored a large number of caves including Ogof Draenen which she was involved in discovering and exploring. It was during this time that Rhian once again found time for art and her interest in cave art was kindled. But it's not just the art. ‘Caves are very special, and I try to get involved in their study and conservation as much as I can. They are such beautiful, fragile places, and some of the challenges you have to face teach you to be strong and carry on, even though you may be afraid or excruciatingly tired. It’s always worth the effort.’

Rhian's artistic style is one mirrors her scientific background in that it has a close attention to detai. It is this that makes her art so accessible to the wider caving audience whether it's a full sized pencil drawing or a minature watercolour the detail is there to be enjoyed.

Rhian has a BSc (Hons) in Geology and Biology from the University of Glamorgan. She’s also a Fellow of the Geological Society of London, a member of the Paleontological Society, a Fellow of the Linnaean Society of London and a member of the Cardiff Naturalist Society.

Rhian has been an active member of ISSA for many years and has attended most of their events including the trip to Matienzo. She has exhibited with them in most of their recent venues including Wells Museum & Kents Cavern. She was one of the featured ISSA Artists on the Radio4 programme Paint it Black

You can see more of Rhians work on her website www.carreg.org.uk