Behind the brushes... Art that tells a story
Hello and welcome to my little corner of the woodland world.
I’m Sarah Reilly, a watercolour artist, illustrator, and the creator behind Love Country and The Wild Woodland Studio.
From my studio in the Suffolk countryside, I create paintings inspired by nature, quiet moments, changing seasons, wildlife, and the feeling of slowing down for a while. What began as a small collection of watercolour cards has gradually grown into a creative world of illustrated gifts, painting kits, books, workshops, retreats, and online teaching.
But behind all of that, it really began with painting simply becoming my safe place.
Like many people, life hasn’t always gone quite the way I imagined. During a particularly difficult chapter, I found myself at a complete crossroads and needing to rebuild things from scratch. Painting became the one thing that helped me slow down, breathe, and reconnect with myself again. What started as a creative escape at my kitchen table slowly became something much bigger.
In the very early days, I was painting cards from home while dog sitting to help pay the bills, never imagining that one day thousands of people would own my artwork or paint along with me online. I think that’s why I still feel so grateful for every single order, message, workshop booking, and kind comment people take the time to send.
What I never expected was how deeply people would connect with the artwork — not just the paintings themselves, but the stories, feelings, and sense of comfort behind them. Over the years, that connection has shaped everything I create.
Today, The Wild Woodland Studio has become the heart of my creative world — a gentle space where people can paint with me through online classes, books, painting kits, retreats, and seasonal projects designed to encourage creativity without pressure or perfection. I truly believe creativity should feel calming, joyful, and accessible, not intimidating.
Alongside the teaching side of my work, I still create the illustrated cards, stationery, gifts, and seasonal collections that Love Country became known for, all inspired by the countryside and woodland world around me.
These days, the business continues to grow in ways I could never have imagined in those early kitchen-table days. I’ve started working with lovely local businesses on creative collaborations and wellbeing events, and one of my biggest dreams — hosting creative retreats — has finally begun to come to life too.
After running my first watercolour retreats here in Norfolk, I’m now quietly planning future retreats even further afield, including the possibility of painting together in Italy, which still feels a little surreal to say out loud.
I think the older I get, the more I realise this business was never really just about painting. It’s about connection, creativity, slowing down, and creating spaces where people feel inspired, welcome, and able to breathe for a little while.
When I’m not painting, filming tutorials, or working on new ideas for future books and collections, you’ll usually find me walking with my dog Mabel along the Suffolk coast, rearranging paint palettes for the hundredth time, or collecting far too many ideas in sketchbooks.
Everything I create is made with the hope that it brings a little calm, creativity, and beauty into your home — and I’m so glad you found your way here.
Best wishes,
Sarah Reilly
Wild Woodland Studio | Love Country