Sophie Wills Murals

“I always loved drawing, painting and making things as a child but I had no idea I could make a living from it growing up in the Somerset countryside. When I left school, a bit disillusioned and not knowing what to do, I completed an art foundation course and then a BA Hons degree in Art and Design History in Manchester. It was here, feeling frustrated not using my hands and being creative, that I approached all the art departments I could find in the city. I ended up being offered work in the art department of the Royal Northern College of Music working for their stage shows.

Having then gathered a portfolio of work together I moved to London where I was lucky enough to enjoy a fun and successful career for almost twenty years working as a freelance sculptor, painter and prop-maker for the film, tv, theatre, music and retail industries.

‘Jungle Book mural, private house, London’ © Sophie Wills

I dabbled with my own work throughout this time but also set up a small business painting murals for public spaces and children’s bedrooms in Central London.

Most years I saved up for the winters and travelled extensively, including later spending the best part of three years in India. I arrived to live in the Algarve unexpectedly and almost accidentally because of surfing, and I now enjoy a quiet life by the sea painting what I love.

Mural for Delicatessen_cafe Chiswick, London

‘Mural for Delicatessen café in Chiswick, London’ © Sophie Wills

Most of my paintings are connected with my life here or wherever I am at the time, the things I love, the sea, birds, nature. I love drawing and also sometimes the challenge of trying to capture something realistically including people and portraits, but I also love patterns, colour, and free-flowing, watery, organic, abstract experiments.”