Illustrator Mark English

Illustrator Mark English (b. 1933) holds the distinction of being the most awarded illustrator in the history of the Society of Illustrators in New York. Born in Texas, he escaped working in cotton fields to become a sign painter. He then studied at the University of Texas and went on to graduate in 1960 from The Art Center College in Los Angeles.

Throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s, Mark English's work appeared in publications like McCalls, Time and Redbook. He produced numerous magazine covers as well as the iconic illustration above, for the Who album, Tommy.

English's illustrations are an instantly recognizable mixture of paint and pastel, hard-edged geometry and rich modeling, and dark backgrounds with ghostly translucent highlights.

In 1983, Mark English was inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame in New York.

For a number of years, Mark English was associated with the O'Grady Gallery, and in 1995 his career segued into gallery exhibitions all around the world.

Below is a more recent oil painting ...

Today Mark English lives in Kansas City, Missouri. More of his recent paintings can be found at his website, here.
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