My name is Mark A. Garlick. I am a freelance illustrator and author with a strong scientific background. I have a Bachelor’s degree in astronomy from University College London (UCL), and a Ph.D. in astrophysics from the Mullard Space Science Laboratory, which is a department of UCL but is not in London. In September 1993, having successfully completed my doctorate, I secured a research post in theoretical astronomy at the University of Sussex, in Brighton (UK). I specialised in the study of interacting binary stars, specifically intermediate polars, essentially continuing the work begun in my thesis.
While working in academia, I had done a few paintings in my spare time, for fun. Around 1995, I began to write popular science articles for magazines such as Astronomy Now and Modern Astronomer. Having amassed by now a fair number of acrylic paintings, I was often able to back up my articles with paintings I had already done. Gradually the number of my paintings grew, as did the frequency of my articles. Then, in 1996, my contract at Sussex University at an end, I finally realised that a scientific career was not my cup of tea. So I put down the telescope to concentrate full time on a new career as a writer, illustrator and fine artist, specialising in the accurate depiction of astronomical phenomena, and balancing my scientific knowledge with an artistic sense.
Since starting my freelance career, my space illustrations have appeared in their hundreds in magazines and books, often on the covers, in other publications and on television. And I have expanded my repertoire somewhat also — I now produce illustrations of science fiction, dinosaurs and earth sciences, among others (see markgarlick.com). These days I work mainly digitally, often producing my illustrations entirely from scratch in Photoshop. I occasionally exhibit my art at small galleries, and I am currently participating in an international travelling art show, featuring the work of several of my fellow space artists from the IAAA. As far as my writing goes, I have used several outlets, which have included The Guardian, New Scientist, Scientific Computing World, AstronomyNow, Scientific American, Astronomy and Sky & Telescope — the latter three being US publications. However, these days my writing is mostly restricted to books. I am happy to receive requests for newly commissioned art. Please feel free to contact me with your requirements. Meanwhile, to learn more about me and my techniques, see my FAQs.
