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Illustration West 50

Mark Smith — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:51:35 +0000

These two images have recently been selected in the Society of Illustrators LA annual competition, Illustration West 50. Unfortunately I won't be able to make it over for the exhibition but these images will be displayed on their website alongside some incredible talent from around the world, many thanks to the jury who voted for my work!

Illustrators Unlimited

Mark Smith — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 05:07:48 +0000

I'm really pleased to announce that some of my illustrations are being featured in the upcoming Gestalten publication Illustrators Unlimited. The release date is late September in the UK and early to mid October in the rest of the world. Many thanks to Henni and the team at Gestalten for their faith in my work, the books they publish are really special and I feel honoured to be included!

Creative Quarterly 24

Mark Smith — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:20:05 +0000

Another trumpet blowing opportunity, this image managed to gain a runners up spot in Creative Quarterly 24. It's always exciting to receive recognition for my work, particularly from a journal as highly thought of as CQ. Charles Hively really has a magic touch with his publications.

3X3 ProShow 8

Mark Smith — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 11:31:14 +0000

This image has just been awarded a merit in the 3X3 ProShow. I don't know what it is but there's something extremely cool about 3X3 and I'm really pleased to be included in the annual alongside artists that I have so much respect for. Thanks to the judges who voted for my work. http://www.3x3mag.com/

Reader Comment

Mark Smith — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:14:33 +0000

Tim from Golf World sent me this today, it's from their 'letters to the editor' page and apparently it's the first time they've ever received comments on an illustration (I'm glad it was positive!). Thanks for the kind words James.

Golf World

Mark Smith — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 16:18:36 +0000

This was my first job for Golf World and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's for a feature on Herbert Warren Wind and the AD Tim Carr asked for a portrait of him at Augusta National, and to definitely use a conceptual approach. I know a bit about golf from my days as a golf greenkeeper but I wasn't overly familiar with Mr Wind, a bit of research revealed that he coined the term 'Amen Corner' to describe the holes at the beginning of the back nine at Augusta. He was best known for his writing but was also a very good golfer himself.

Illustration West 49

Mark Smith — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:36:13 +0000

I was really pleased to receive my SILA trophy in the post a couple of days ago. I would have loved to have picked it up in person but I was working on a fairly large commission at the time and unfortunately couldn't manage to fit it in. Also, if you look in the background of the picture you can see the error I made of buying the wrong type of card for my next mailer, the ink takes about two days to dry on this card. Hence, studio covered in postcards! Even my chair looks depressed.

Simon & Schuster Book Cover

Mark Smith — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:11:22 +0000

This is a book cover I did for Simon & Schuster at the beginning of last year, seems like so long ago now. It's a bit different from the topics that I usually cover but it was great fun to do and it's not often that I get the chance to do any lettering. Michael Nagin art directed and was a real treat to work for. The book was written by Teresa Medeiros who is a New York Times best selling author, a website dedicated to the book can be found here and includes a nice little animated intro that uses the cover art.

SOI 53 Advertising and Institutional Exhibition

Mark Smith — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:18:21 +0000

This image is currently being exhibited at the Society of Illustrators in New York alongside some real heavyweights of the industry- Scott Bakal, Guy Billout, Steve Brodner, Alessandro Gottardo, Jessica Hische, Yuko Shimizu, Brian Stauffer, Heads of State, Brad Yeo and so many others. I feel extremely honoured to be part of it. It's on until March 19th so if you're in the area it's well worth a visit.

Public Finance Magazine

Mark Smith — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:13:43 +0000

This was done a little while ago for Public Finance magazine. The story was about how to deal with staff when there isn't enough money for financial incentives. The idea was probably inspired by the temperatures around here at the time I made this, I even had to wear a scarf while I was working in the studio! (must fix holes in roof) Roll on Summer, I much prefer moaning about the heat.