Hi! So yeah, this is me – I love drawing, thinking and going out for long walks.
I was born thirty odd years ago in Spain, but I am currently living the dream in Yorkshire, also known as God’s own county.
So please Do get in touch!
Career / CV
I studied Fine Arts in Madrid at Universidad Complutense (UCM) between 2004 and 2010 – specialising in Graphic Design and Audiovisual
In 2008 I took a Diploma in Digital Image at CEV (Madrid) – to learn digital photography and Photoshop like a pro
In 2010 I had my first job as junior Art Director in Eteria, a local advertising and marketing agency in Gijon, Asturias – we did branding, print and web designs
In 2011 I moved to London, where I graduated in 2012 with a MA in Visual Arts & Illustration from Camberwell College (University of the Arts London)
In 2012 I started as freelance illustrator and worked with Creative Clerkenwell for the London Design Week, Craft Central and its Christmas and Pop Up events, and Place in Print – who started commissioning a series of maps of South London neighbourhoods
Thanks to the degree show I met Antonio Weiss, author of 101 Business Ideas that Will Change the Way you Work, who commissioned the illustrations and the cover of the book through Financial Times / Pearson Education – who were the editor and publisher. It was published in early 2013
The summer of 2013 I landed a Designer / Editor job in Tigerprint, Hallmark’s division for Marks and Spencer.
In 2017 I took a long break from the office, and focused on freelance projects – I had the pleasure to work with Apple and Meredith’s Family Fun magazine in the US, and with Paperchase and Moonpig in the UK. I had also been commissioned to illustrate Katherine Cole’s Rose All Day (Abrams Image, NY) – it’s first edition sold out and received excellent reviews
In 2018 I took on the role of Senior Designer at Hallmark, where I keep working on the M&S creative team
In 2019 started working on Sparkling Wine Any Time (Rose All Day’s partner) which was published in 2020
Since 2021 I am a member of Bradford’s Bread and Roses cooperative & Chapel St Studio, and a member of the AUE (Artists Union England)
I’m also in to the AOI (Association of Illustrators) since 2012. I’m represented by Mildred Yuan from AP Watts agency, and the Fashion Illustration Agency (UAL)
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mercedesleon@merchesico.com
(0044) 7903 851 411
Twitter: @mergepsycho
Instagram: @merchesico
Stay tuned!
Blog: merchesico.wordpress.com
Cool animated gifs: merchesico.tumblr.com
Portfolio: cargocollective.com/mercedesleon
Shop: etsy.com/uk/shop/merchesico
Cool yet small shop: mercedesleon.bigcartel.com
Or just leave a message using this awkward form below
About / Bio
Mercedes Leon is a Spanish graphic artist and designer happily based in Leeds, God knows for how long. She studied Fine Arts in Madrid before her MA in Visual Arts & Illustration at Camberwell College of Arts. She works as freelance illustrator, after some years spent working in the greetings publishing industry. She likes to give her own, witty, humurous take on every piece she makes, be it commercial, commissioned or self- initiated. Additionally, she is quite a good person who enjoys doing nothing, thinking, reading, wandering, and writing on third person.
Clients include Financial Times Pearson Education, Hallmark UK, Marks and Spencer, Abrams Image, Meredith, Moonpig or Paperchase and some lovely small and medium size business too.
merchesico.com 