My name is Louise Reilly and I am a Wildlife Artist and Illustrator. I developed a love of animals from​ a very young age, so painting wildlife is a natural fit for me. Growing up, I always had a pencil in my hand! And yes, it was mostly animals that I drew. Apparently as soon as I could talk, I started asking for riding lessons, so it's no surprise that my subjects at the time were mainly horses.

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I continued my art as I grew and chose to do a GNVQ in Art & Design at college. That was then followed by a degree in Visual Communication Design, where I chose the Graphic Design route. However, after graduating, I struggled to find a job as a Graphic Designer and instead pursued a career in the Corporate world, with roles at some of the most prestigious companies in London. This however wasn't lighting me up and I missed being creative and having a pencil in my hand! So I am now working towards my dream of being a full time Artist and Illustrator. 

 

I have exhibited in Essex, Kent, Cambridge, North Yorkshire, London and most recently, Norfolk. As well as being an animal lover and creating art to show their beauty, I aim to help raise awareness of the flights they face. I have a passion for endangered species and hope that my pieces can help towards conservation. One way I have done this is by entering pieces into the David Shepherd 'Wildlife Artist of the Year' and Explorers Against Extinction 'Sketch for Survival'. Both of these prestigious art competitions raise awareness and much needed funds for conservation and attract entries from extremely talented wildlife artists from all over the world. In 2023 I was selected as one of the 100 finalists from nearly 4,000 entries in the Explorers Against Extinction - Sketch for Survival competition. My piece was exhibited alongside the other finalists at the Dundas Street Gallery in Edinburgh and the OXO Gallery on London's Southbank before being auctioned online.

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I have also recently been awarded with 'Special Merit' narrowly missing out on a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place for one of my pieces which was entered into a competition for animal art. The competition was run by the art magazine Art & Colour 365 based in the US and again, some very talented and well respected artists were involved. All successful pieces were featured in the digital and print versions of the magazine and the online exhibition.

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I am extremely grateful to be where I am today and hope to continue on this crazy yet wonderful journey, bringing my art in front of people who enjoy it.

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