Back to nature

The designer, illustrator and artist celebrates the natural world – but in a fresh, modern way that adds an innovative approach to some traditionally rather twee interpretations of the subject matter.

A new book launching next month, Mark Hearld’s Work Book, shows how the artist goes about his practice, which encompasses a huge variety of media including print, linocuts, lithographs, collage, ceramics, drawings and paintings.

Designed by publisher Merrell’s creative director, Nicola Bailey and Hearld himself, the book showcases around 200 beautiful images, with insightful annotations by Hearld that demonstrate his child-like wonder at the world.

Among the highlights are his gorgeous book cover designs, for the likes of texts including Ted Hughes’ poems and John Mortimer’s In Other Words collection.

Inspired by twentieth-century artists such as Edward Bawden, John Piper, Eric Ravilious and Enid Marx, the works are heavily collage-based, with an eye for strong graphics.

With text by art historian Simon Martin, we see Hearld’s knack of taking the everyday things we miss or ignore – pigeons, squirrels, or a salmon in the Thames, perhaps, and celebrate them for the marvels they are.

Offering a peek into the artist’s home, we see a haphazardly curated grotto of curios and a happy man with a penchant for knitwear, seemingly arranging his home with the same glee as he does his three-dimensional works.

Mark Healrd’s Work Book is published by Merrell on 29 October priced £30