Mark Bardsley

Mark Bardsley has been a freelance artist for many years but has also taught art, designed musical instruments and managed a community theatre. His illustrations have appeared on British television.

Marks first book of funny illustrated poetry, ' Animal Poems' was published in 2018 and features poems about many different types of animals from Aardvarks to Rhinoceroses. These are hilarious tails!

His second book, 'DOGS' (2019) needs little explanation, other than that it will make you laugh. If the poems don't, the illustrations will! If you have a dog, there will probably one like it in these pages!

Book number three published in 2021 like the previous volumes also available in a colourful paper back, is called 'When I was Young and Foolish'. It is a book about childhood, largely the authors own, and is delightfully nostalgic.

In a more serious vein, Mark's poetry book about his native county of Shropshire in England, 'Bloom Town' (2023) is available from Yew Tree Press or directly from the Mark Bardsley website. It's poems are rooted in real locations which are illustrated with black & white pencil drawings. It is rural, evocative and some familiar names, such as Amy Johnson, Mary Webb, Wilfred Owen and Philip Larkin are referenced.

His illustrations are also to be found in the card craft products of UK publishing company, 'The Card Hut' and in the urban comedy poetry books of Manchester poet Stephen Williams.

Mark is currently working on more poems about his native county of Shropshire, as well as a book about CATS!

Catch him drawing at a UK live event near you!

Mark's website has links to all the above as well as his social media content and UK events blog.