This honey bee has a charming look about her and seems aware of her own beauty. The painting is called 'Proud Bee' due to her neat and tidy presence.

It was subsequently used as a 'model' reference for painting the bee character illustrations in 'Izzie Lizzie Busy Bee', a children's nature book about a honey bee's summer foraging adventures.

The book, written by bee expert Valerie Rhenius, was illustrated in watercolour and ink to commemorate the National Honey Show's Centenary in 2023.

This bee has an industrious but gentle look in her eye that sums up the character of Izzie Lizzie.