Why and when did you set up your business?

I started my business at the end of 2018. I had studied illustration in Cork and after my studies I decided to set up my own business doing something I love.

I live with a chronic illness, which can at times be debilitating, so working from home and being able to go at my own pace was something that was very appealing.

So I now create colourful artworks of the beautiful Irish landscape in my studio space, finding inspiration from music, poetry and the nature that surrounds me.

What process do you use to create your products?

Each design I create begins as a handdrawn sketch, which is transferred to a lino block, inked, printed and then scanned and coloured digitally.

What is your best seller/most popular piece?

My most popular piece is 'Copper Coast', followed by some of the Dublin swimming spots: 'The sea which held me' (Seapoint) and 'Lead me to the water' (Vico Baths).

"The sea which held me" by Sorrell Reilly is inspired by Seapoint. \ Sorrell Reilly

What is it about your business that brings you joy?

What I love the most about my work is when people connect with it and make it their own.

I am always fascinated with how people see my work. There are so many stories and memories associated with the landscape and I love that my work can reflect parts of who we are.

What are your hopes for your business for 2022?

I am in the process of setting up my own website, which is exciting.

I would like to do a print series of hiking locations around Ireland. We have so many incredible trails in this beautiful country and it’s something we all seem to be doing more of since COVID, so it would be lovely to try to capture some of my favourite spots.

I am also hoping to do a collaboration with a friend of mine, Íde Denning, who is a ceramicist. So yes, lots of ideas for the year ahead!

What is the best piece of advice you would give a start-up business?

It can definitely be a challenge to set up your own business and to juggle all the roles by yourself.

My advice would be to do plenty of research. Have long-term goals in mind and then set smaller goals along the way to reach the more distant ones!

Don’t rush into things. And, most importantly, be consistent and reliable.

Follow @sorrellreilly on Instagram or shop her collection at www.etsy.com/ie/shop/SorrellReilly.

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