Sarah Bell was born in Lancashire, and gained an honours degree in illustration at Kingston Upon Thames University, going on to work as Artist in Residence for actor Kenneth Brannagh's Renaissance Theatre Company. At this time she also designed and made evening and wedding dresses to commission.

As a freelance illustrator for nine years in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, she worked on commissions for publishing, editorial, advertising and fashion clients, and taught in the fashion department at The Royal School of Art in the Hague. She also worked as a costume visualiser and designer for the film industry.

After her move to Devon in 1998, she began painting full time; writing her “Country Tales” column for Devon Life magazine; teaching her popular Watercolour Workshops, and has been featured on the “Country Lives” and “Arts and Crafts programmes on Carlton TV.

In 2003 she trained for a PGCE qualification to teach art, and has worked as Artist in Residence at various schools in Devon, whilst continuing her practice as professional artist.

Sarah works mainly in watercolour and acrylic on canvas, and her paintings reflect her endless fascination with the play of light and shadow. Paintings are often done on the spot, outdoors. Favourite subjects are the Mediterranean, farmyards, the Devon coastline, and of course fashion and costume.