Southwell artist Ann Leech’s artwork chosen by Elsevier to be on front cover of 12th edition of medical journal Anatomy and Physiology

A Southwell artist has seen her artwork featured on the cover of a prestigious medical journal once again.

Ann Leech’s artwork, of an eye-catching anatomical heart in watercolour, was chosen by Elsevier in the USA in 2022 to be on the front cover of the 11th edition of “Anatomy and Physiology” by Patton, Bell, Thompson and Williamson.

And now, her work entitled Synapses in watercolour and ink, has been chosen again by Elsevier to be on the front cover of the 12th edition of the medical text, which is due to be published in late 2026.

As a psychiatric nurse and artist, Ann said that she has always always been amazed by the complexity of the human experience, and these perspectives on the interplay between mind and body is what inspired her to explore these themes through anatomical art.

“To me, the human body is endlessly intriguing and beautiful – not just in its physical form, but in the stories it tells, the strength it holds and the vulnerability it reveals,” she said.

“Supported by my GP Dr Rajeev Kalia, I have been on my own journey with PTSD and I aim to celebrate the healing power of human connection through my paintings, merging the anatomical with the emotional.

“I hope my work, like my ‘Synapses’ piece chosen for the 2026 textbook, invites others to reflect on the intricate connections that make us who we are, just as synapses connect nerve cells together.”

Elsevier came across Ann’s work on the Saatchi Art website and on her own website, and the senior acquisitions editor of Elsevier then contacted me to see if they were able to use the artwork for the covers of their medical text books.

Ann received high praise from the Elsevier team for her work, with the authors and editor saying that her beautiful and eye-catching cover “left a lasting impression on them”:

“The Elsevier team of authors and Editor managing this title were inspired by Ann Leech’s vibrant and colorful anatomical art and chose the colorful painting of the heart for the 11th edition,” the citation said.

“This led them to explore Ann’s art once again for the upcoming Anatomy & Physiology. For this cover, they chose the Synapses image in watercolour and ink, which allowed our designers to create another beautiful cover related to the anatomy of the brain.

“We are so fortunate to have made this connection with Ann and are thrilled she agreed to allow us to use her art on our covers.”