Meet M&G’s latest licensor Angela Harding in conversation about Wilding book
Artist Angela Harding is about to set off on a tour publicising the release of the Wilding: How To Bring Wildlife Back gift book that’s she’s illustrated for author Isabella Tree.
The full colour lino prints and watercolours echo the printmaker’s work from her new gift packaging and giftware licence with Museums & Galleries and illustrates the writer’s story of the Knepp Estate in West Sussex.
Tomorrow, 6 March, is the first stop on the tour where Angela and Isabella will be in conversation at Knepp at 6.30pm, followed by City Books, Brighton, on Thursday, 7 March, at 6pm, then on 19 April, they’ll be at Waterstones in Chichester at 7.30pm. In between Angela will be an event at Kibworth Cricket Club with Kibworth Books on 22 March, then at The Mainstreet Trading Company, Melrose, on 24 April and Toppings & Company, Edinburgh, on 25 April. All events are ticketed, please contact the shops for details.
For M&G, Angela’s new collection includes tote bag, large zipped pouch, and a crystal paperweight, together with everyday and Christmas gift wraps, gift bags, and gift tissue packs, and it is all available now having been on show at Spring Fair last month.
She was introduced to printmaking while studying art at Leicester Polytechnic in 1979-82 where she mainly at etcher before moving to work in lino/vinyl and silkscreen from 2008, and she has hundreds of book covers and illustrations to her credit.
The recurring inspiration for Angela’s work is the flora and fauna of the British countryside. Her studio looks out over the farmland landscape of Rutland where fields of sheep and the soft greens, greys and blues form the backdrop for her paintings and prints, where she aims to capture the mood and atmosphere of her surroundings.
Her new studio in Oakham is now open for visitors every Wednesday by appointment so people can see the prints in person.
M&G licensing manager Eddie Clarke said: “Myself and Ben Dorney, our creative director, are long-time admirers of Angela’s oeuvre, and it is absolutely thrilling and a huge privilege for M&G to finally add some of her magic to our collection.
“The new pieces are very distinctive and special, redolent of that absolutely iconic Angela Harding style. We are very excited to release the new range generally in 2024, with more to come.”
Angela is also appearing at London Book Fair on Tuesday, 12 March, where she will be on the Flame Tree stand at Kensington Olympia at 3pm to sign copies of her new colouring book featuring her illustrations that also appear on the publisher’s notebooks and calendars.
