On Saturday the 26th June 2021 this article appeared in the Westmorland Herald.



During lockdown an Appleby in Westmorland artist has created what is believed to be a "new art form", using people homes to tell the story of their life.

Dr Shonagh Speed-Andrews commissioned the artist Mark Hilsden to develop a piece of art representing her life story in art after receiving a brochure from the artist on a checkup at the surgery between lockdowns.

Working from his studio Castle Fine Arts in High Wiend, the artist visited the various homes around Cumbria and Scotland where she has lived. Then he moulded them into a unique montage that includes Suliven, childhood memories of Northern Lights and service in the navy where she met her husband.

Included in the picture are some of the Cumbrian fossils she discovered and medical symbology. It also shows a partial map inspired by her ancestor John Speed, the Elizabethan cartographer.

Visitors to Marks studio got excited about seeing this collage in progress. These include a company chairman from London who was cycling between Lands End and John O Groats. He asked Mark if he could do something similar featuring various landmarks and a map of the route taken.

Another visitor inquired about creating a family memorial commission. His father, a Jew, escaped with him from a concentration camp and set up his own business. His son worked his way up through Marks and Spencers before retiring as a director.

A teacher from Leeds commissioned the artist to create a picture to commemorate her engagement at the local beauty spot Rutters Fall over the Bank Holiday weekend. On seeing her completed artwork, Dr Speed-Andrews said, "I am thrilled with my life story as art; Thank you for your talent and generosity".

For over 25 years, Mark has created house portraits across the country. Including several commissions from the United States and other international collectors.

Three years ago, he moved to Appleby with his wife. With the encouragement of a local landlord, Mark opened his gallery and studio. 

He was struggling until the former government minister, and MP for Penrith and Borders visited the gallery and commissioned a portrait of his parents home in Scotland. A few weeks after delivery Rory Stewart wrote, "We've hung your picture in a prominent position; I pass it every day and admire it."

Other local commissions quickly followed, including the former mayor of Appleby and an invitation to share his story as an artist.

In turn, this led to a significant commission from a specialist QC who recently moved to Cumbria. he wanted a large statement piece of his new home alongside artwork of the Shard under construction. His company had won planning permission some ten years earlier for the Shard.

Born in Dartford, Kent, Mark worked in London at Christie's the fine art auctioneers before learning the art of driving buses. He moved to Lancaster after taking a holiday there and a year later became a redundant bus driver.

After discovering Wainwright's sketchbooks in the local library, he thought he could do better and taught himself from studying the masters. He then started drawing various landmarks and houses. Soon coming to the attention of Lord Shuttleworth in 1995, who commissioned him to create a picture of his hall describing the work as an excellent piece.

Travelling across the country, he created house portraits from cottages to moated manor houses and castles for business owners and celebrities. Eventually, he settled in Worcestershire, where he met his wife, who fell in love with his work. She inspired him to return to bus driving to finance his first solo exhibition creating artwork during the day and driving buses by night. 

" My heroes are those that have courageously dared to dream, taking unknown and less travelled paths fraught with danger, said Mark. " On our journey, we have experienced homelessness and other challenges, but we have still pushed through despite everything."

Through commissioned house portraits, we have had a good living and met many inspirational people who have paved the way for our present success.