I picked up a book recently called THE KING’S NAME by Jo Walton and the cover characters looked familiar, but I couldn’t place why at first. Then, when I was listing the book for sale, and saw the name of the cover artist, I realized why:

Check it out.

Below is a photo of Julie Bell, the cover artist, and her husband Boris Vallejo, another great in the cover art field.

The artist used her own image and her husband’s as basis for the work – that’s why I recognized the faces! (This isn’t the first time they’ve done that – since they’re both into bodybuilding, and they do fantasy/heroic covers, they’ve each used each other as models in the past also.)

I’m happy now – that’s been bugging me for a while, seeing those characters and knowing I should know them… =)

Another of my favorite book cover art illustrators is Michael Whelan. His use of color and light always makes me think of sunsets and his people are well-detailed. He has a highly identifiable style that uses quite a bit of ‘underlighting’ that I admire.

Michael Whelan’s covers have graced some of my favorite authors’ books: Anne McCaffrey, Stephen King, Stephen R Donaldson, Robert A. Heinlein, Piers Anthony and Larry Niven, among others. (Hmmm, makes me wonder if I read the books because I like the authors, or if I buy the books because of the covers, thinking the authors are my favorites just because… LOL)

Here are just a few examples from Michael Whelan’s official website store where copies of his original cover paintings are available for sale:

FRIDAY (Robert A. Heinlein) A SPELL FOR CHAMELEON (Piers Anthony)
ROBOTS OF DAWN (Isaac Asimov) THE SUMMER QUEEN (Joan D Vinge)

THE DARK TOWER (Stephen King)

You can also find Michael Whelan’s work on eBay or check out books of Michael Whelan’s complete works at Amazon

Another artist whose book cover art I really like to collect is fantasy and sci fi illustrator ROWENA (full name Rowena A. Morrill). Most of her work, like Boris Vallejo’s (see that blog entry), features photorealistic characters in brilliant color paintings that jump off the page and catch the eye, with sexy and alluring women and men, menacing dragons, famed storytellers and wicked wizards among the many characters she has brought to life.

To me, her style is instantly recognizable, and the books her paintings grace have a favored, facing-front position on my shelves. I love to enjoy the detail and care that appear to go into each one. (Plus it doesn’t hurt that her art features prominently on many of my favorite authors’ books: Anne McCaffrey, Piers Anthony, Terry Brooks, and more…. A double bonus!)

Here are just a few examples of my favorite works of hers, both book cover art and posters (not to mention she does gorgeous fantasy trading card art, too):

FOR LOVE OF EVIL – Piers Anthony
(Book Cover Art)

ON THE SURFACE…

(Painting/Poster)

Her black and white illustrations are just as striking and almost step off the page (this one reminds me of Vargas’ airbrush work with its perfect skin rendering and amazing face and hair detail):

SCHEHERAZADE
(Pencil/Pen on Paper Drawing)

You can check out more of her work and buy signed posters & paintings of your own at her official website: ROWENA

Find books with Rowena Morrill art at Amazon.com
Find posters & books with Rowena Morrill art at eBay.com

I don’t know about you and your family, but for me and my mom, book collecting’s not just about reading the books we buy, but also in large part for the book cover art. (In fact, a great cover or dust jacket sometimes can be the best bit of an otherwise not-quite-so-good book. =)

Given how a really attractive cover catches the eye and makes you want to pick a book up to look at it closer, I’m amazed at how many dust jackets have such poor quality graphics and illustrations or color combinations. I don’t know if it’s an economic choice, an artistic one, or timing (they couldn’t get the artist they really wanted, so went with one that was available or with the cheapest inks available or ??…) There have been probably quite a few books that were really great reads I’ve never read because the cover of that particular edition turned me off. (The reverse is probably true, too, though – what about you?)

Book cover fantasy art and science fiction book covers are two of my personal favorites to collect since those are also two of my favorite genres to read. (Isn’t it nice when you can combine fun things?) So, to share a little of my collecting mania, I’ve decided to feature a favorite book cover artist of mine each week or so. (If nothing else, it makes me clean and rearrange my shelves – something I’ve been needing to do for awhile… =)

This week’s favorite of mine is Boris Vallejo, who is a very hot and collectible Sci Fi and Fantasy artist/illustrator with a distinctive style. His works feature photo-realistic renditions in glorious full rich, almost jewel tone colors. Here are just a few examples from my own collection, books I like to showcase on my shelves:

Another Favorite Boris Cover – TO SAIL BEYOND THE SUNSET by Robert A. Heinlein

Some Boris Vallejo Fantasy Art – Janet Morris’ THIEVES’ WORLD Book Covers
Andre Norton Books with Boris Vallejo Dust Jacket Art

These are just the tip of the iceberg for this very prolific, gifted artist and can’t really show just how wonderful his work is. For more info on him, such as his biography or for a look at his art catalog, check out Boris Vallejo’s official website. (Don’t miss his wife, Julie Bell’s, work, either – she’s also amazing and someone I’ve just started collecting!)

To start your own fantasy or sci fiction book cover art collection, why not check out Boris Vallejo on eBay or Boris Vallejo on Amazon? You can start out with inexpensive editions to see if you’ll like his art (and the books they cover, of course ;) as much as I do or go straight for the collector’s copies or even actual posters/paintings, all worthy of shelf and wall space in my opinion… (I even have his ‘Golden Wings’ bookplate as my preferred one for covering up previous owner’s names on Sci Fi & Fantasy books that I’ve now made mine, Boris Vallejo art on the cover notwithstanding. =)