Jonathan Mercer belongs to the long tradition of commercial artists who are talented designers, artists, craftsmen and thinkers. Inspired by Eric Ravilious, John Nash and Eric Gill, Jonathan enhances the quality of life through his repeat patterns, wood engravings and illustrations.
Having trained at Kingston Art School he set out in his professional career as an industrial designer. By the mid-eighties he adopted wood engraving as his full-time occupation producing commercial commissions for leading designers, publishers and advertising agencies including Michael Peters, The Partners, Pentagram, Ladybird, BMP as well as private projects.
In the early nineties a bout of arthritis meant that Jonathan’s business became more centred around brand development, with his love for creating beautiful images taking a back seat for a few years.
Jonathan has lately been inspired to make his fascinating back catalogue of illustrations available to purchase as artwork through Starch Green, re-set up his beloved printing press and begun to create new repeat patterns, illustrations, engravings and applied design.