Mark Hearld's Workbook

by Simon Martin (Contributor)

The artist Mark Hearld finds his inspiration in the flora and fauna of the British a blue-eyed jay perched on an oak branch; two hares enjoying the spoils of an allotment; a mute swan standing at the frozen water’s edge; and a sleek red fox prowling the fields. Hearld admires such twentieth-century artists as Edward Bawden, John Piper, Eric Ravilious and Enid Marx, and, like them, he chooses to work in a range of media – paint, print, collage, textiles and ceramics. Workbook is the first collection of Hearld’s beguiling art. The works are grouped into nature-related themes introduced by Hearld, who narrates the story behind some of his creations and discusses his influences. He explains his particular love of collage, which he favours for its graphic quality and potential for strong composition. Art historian Simon Martin contributes an essay on Hearld’s place in the English popular-art tradition, and also meets Hearld in his museum-like home to explore the artist’s passion for collecting objects, his working methods and his startling ability to view the wonders of the natural world as if through a child’s eyes.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published November 13, 2012

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, big book full of Herald's work. I find it frustrating when art books don't show enough of the artists work or use small images, this one is packed full of examples, many full page.

For those unfamiliar with Herald's work, he uses collage and printmaking. I prefer his printmaking but this was an interesting and quite inspiring book to look through.

[Sylvia Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful book! Mark Hearld is a contemporary British artist, and his book is a visual delight. He celebrates Nature, not rare and exotic plants and creatures, but the pigeons, gulls, squirrels, chickens, common trees, etc., that you can see everyday, everywhere. He work is inspired by poets like Gerald Manley Hopkins, and William Blake, and by William Morris' patterns, and many others. He wants to expose the beauty and uniqueness of what we may perceive as ordinary and common. Turning the pages for the first time, every new work made me break out in a big smile. Lovely!

[Sigrun Hodne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure joy to read, such an artistic lushness!

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful work - a book I shall return to again and again.

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Hearld's work is somehow both fascinatingly edgy and visually satisfying. Considered folk art, his collages, lithographs, linotypes, and box works portray mostly rural subjects in rich, modern mixed media. And I adore it.

Even though I marked this book as DNF, I looked at every single picture and read about half the captions. When I have more time I would love to go back and read every word. I'm sure the artist's process and inspiration is as engaging as his art.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most treasured books. A visual feast!

[Ape · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered Mark Hearld this year at York Art Gallery. Or rather I thought I did, but having read this book, I realise that I had come into contact with his work before then. This is such a beautiful book, and inspirational. I really want to get on and have a go at lino cuts now - something I've never had a try at before - and just to be more creative and decorative with everything I do.

It was interesting to read about Hearld's upbringing, influences and the different mediums he uses, as well as the inspiration for specific pieces or projects. For people who don't know his work, he does a lot of English nature, particularly in rural/man made settings. There are lino prints and collages, and it all has a vibrant, illustrative quality. Just a joy. I also loved how he does a set of prints for each Christmas card each year. What a treat to get something like that in the post. As well as the prints/paintings/collages, he has also worked in ceramics, fabric prints and even book illustrations. It's actually the book cover to Ross Raison's God's Own Country, which I read a couple of years ago, where I originally came into contact with Hearld's work. I remember thinking at the time it was a cool cover.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, beautiful book. Just love his work!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Mark, Please do the pictures for my book. Your work has the rabbit's wide-eyed alertness and squirrel's sense of urgency and colors I adore. Thank you, Nancy

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another must for those obsessed with both art and the natural world.

[Melanie Serenity · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous, inspiring book.