Mark Edwards, an artist residing in the remote Scottish Highlands, stands as a modern master of a distinctly British brand of surrealism. His remarkable journey commenced in 1967 when, fresh out of school, he embarked on a fine art education at Medway Art College. It was here that he serendipitously met Sally, his future wife, and continued his artistic pursuits at Walthamstow College of Art in London.
In 1974, after a stint teaching painting and illustration and showcasing his work locally, Mark and Sally embarked on an adventurous journey. With a mere £25 in hand, they acquired a vintage 1958 Ford Prefect and set their course for the farthest reaches of the Scottish Highlands. Nestled along the shores of Loch Hope, amidst the dramatic Sutherland mountains, they rented a weathered shepherd's cottage devoid of electricity. Their life in this remote haven spanned 28 years, with the initial decade passing without the luxury of electric power, as they lovingly raised three children.
This bold move into seclusion granted Mark the precious gift of uninterrupted time and space to nurture his artistic vision. During this period, he painted prolifically and exhibited his works across Scotland. To supplement his income, he worked as a gillie on the nearby Duke of Westminster's estate. Inspired by this seasonal employment, Mark created a enduring series of field sports paintings, immortalizing the lives and labor of those who fished and hunted in these distant domains, cementing his reputation as a distinguished artist in the Highlands and beyond.
In 1984, not only did Mark celebrate the arrival of electricity and a telephone in their cottage, but he also received an invitation to join the prestigious London agency, Artist Partners, helmed by the esteemed art director Christine Isteed.
Throughout the years, Mark Edwards has lent his artistic talents to the covers of countless books by renowned authors, including Kingsley Amis, Beryl Bainbridge, Sue Townsend, Michael Morpurgo (including the iconic "War Horse"), Philip Pullman, and the immortal William Shakespeare. His illustrations have breathed life into picture books such as "The Sand Children" by Joyce Dunbar and "Narnia Chronology" by C.S. Lewis. In 2009, he undertook the task of illustrating a series of 18 Falco books by Lindsey Davis. Mark's diverse illustration techniques have been critically examined alongside those of international peers in the book "The New Guide to Illustration."
Balancing his illustration work with personal fine art endeavors, Mark eventually bid farewell to his hillside occupation in 2007.
Tiring of his deer stalking paintings, he ventured into a new artistic realm, which would come to be known as "The White Wood."
Reflecting on this pivotal change, Mark reminisces, "One day, instead of placing a deer in the wood, I stumbled upon a 1950s photograph in a magazine. It depicted a man in a bowler hat and coat, reflected in a window on a bustling New York street. I placed him in the wood, and instantly, an intriguing tension emerged: what was he doing there?"
In 2008, "The White Wood" made its mesmerizing debut in a sold-out exhibition. This series continues to captivate audiences across the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. Mark Edwards' enduring popularity is a testament to his ability to craft contemplative character studies and recurring motifs, all set against the hauntingly captivating backdrop of "The White Wood." His paintings possess a timeless allure, transporting us beyond the confines of reality.