I am trying out a new cover because I had an epiphany. All along I thought I was designing a cover for a book that would—you know—go on a book. All along I was focused on what I thought would look best on the paperback edition. What I realized was that in today’s world of eBooks and online shopping I was basically designing a postage stamp. What I needed was a compelling graphic that would make a strong impression displayed on computers, tablets and smartphones ranging between the size of a postcard and a postage stamp. What was needed was a design that was both eye catching and still legible even at the smallest display sizes.
The ‘Hands of an Artist’. The artist is so engrossed in the work that the model begins to fade into the background as the figurine begins to take on a life of its own.
Previous Cover & Comments
Why this image? This is a story of an artist and his struggles—so where is the atelier, where is the artist’s loft? Why is the image is so domestic?
One of the linchpins of the narrative is that DeBris’ wife, Cheryl—now that he is no longer a working artist—wants him to sell his loft so that they can live like normal people in a house.
She wants to domesticate him, while he reasons that even a failed artist is still an artist. He of course is buying time, to see if he can recapture his desire for the work.
The contact lens enhanced green eyes of Nina loom over the domestic scene as she stands ready to usurp the artist’s attention—perhaps even usurp his domicile…
The framed posters standing on the floor are (from left to right):
Di Vinci: Hands. The Seattle Space Needle with an I Heart NY stamp on it. A Nirvana Live Poster from 1994. Rodin: The Burghers of Calais (detail).
Courbet: The Source. Caravaggio: The Conversion of the Magdalene (detail of cleavage). Da Vinci: Head of a Woman. Warhol: Campbell Soup. Duchamp: Fountain.
Notice how the towering giants of the Postmodern era appear rather puny when put in the wrong room.