Sophie Grandval, after completing her art training, started her career as a textile designer, working for such famous names as Givenchy, Dior, Balanciaga, Balmain and Deusse. In 1958, she exhibited at the Galerie des Beaux Arts in Paris fabric designs. At the suggestion of Lucien Durand, she started painting in oil and watercolour, and in 1961 had her first one-man exhibition at the Galerie Durand, followed by another one ten years later at the Galerie Delpire, both in Paris. At both shows, all paintings were completely sold-out during the preview evening. She was then approached to do illustration work for Peter Knapp, the well-known art director for “ELLE” magasine, and in 1973 she moved to Bath to execute a series of botanical illustrations for the renowned American collector Mrs Paul Mellon. Her work is to be found in such prestigious collections as: Mrs Mellon, Givenchy, Dior, Cacharel, President Mitterand, and Prince Charles