“Edges” Book Cover Illustration

Edges, by Léna Roy, is a coming-of-age novel for young adults set in the breathtaking canyons of Moab, Utah. In the story, two teens grapple with family relationships as well as addiction and recovery. Above is the finished artwork for the cover. Photo of the juniper tree and rocks© Cliff Walker iStock Photo.

CLIENT: FARRAR, STRAUS & GIROUX
ART DIRECTOR: ROBBIN GOURLEY

“Reserve Fund” Magazine Illustrations

The financial crisis has affected not only individual homeowners, but condominium associations as well. Many of these associations find they do not have enough cash reserves to properly maintain their structures. Thus, many have fallen into disrepair, some to the point of having to be condemned. For this article on the subject, a cover image with some sort of “ticking clock” or hour glass was requested, along with an opening illustration suggesting the deterioration of the buildings. This was a fun one to work on because I love the look of objects and surfaces that are old and damaged. I made miniature sets out of dollhouse materials and created the damaged walls by covering cardboard with spackle and Golden Crackle Medium. Below are the original sketches presented.



CLIENT: COMMON GROUND MAGAZINE
ART DIRECTOR: CORI CANADY

“Sackett Brand” Book Cover Montage

This was to be the first of a series of six cover illustrations for reprints of Louis L’Amour western novels. The idea was to recreate the look of the great photos Edward Curtis made of western subjects and landscapes. Art director Scott Biel requested five cowboys riding towards the viewer with a “black mesa” in the background. The montage was built from the stock photos below, along with my own sky images and hand-painted textures. Unfortunately, the series has been put on indefinite hold.



CLIENT: RANDOM HOUSE
ART DIRECTOR: SCOTT BIEL