I met Rhea Ewing in Columbus, Ohio at the 2011 S.P.A.C.E. (Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo). Even at an event chalked full of talented artists Rhea was hard to miss. Faith, which reflects Rhea’s complex (and not entirely comfortable) relationship with spirituality caught my eye instantly. Ultimately, Faith (a portion of which is pictured below) was the piece that led me to contact Rhea about working on the cover of Casting Shadows.

I think Rhea has a real talent for tapping into cultural/contextual contrasts. She seems to approach the natural world with an almost scientific eye for detail and intricacy; yet, she manages to build a fascinating kind of tension by pairing her clinically precise biological/botanical images with an overarching mood of mystery and even mysticism –science and spirituality. The overall effect, for me, is a general sense of depth and intrigue.

Beyond my appreciation for Rhea’s art, she was a real pleasure to work with. She is professional, prompt, and has a (rare) talent for collaboration. I was really committed to avoiding some of the more obnoxious trends in Urban Fantasy cover art, and I think Rhea did an excellent job helping me to achieve my overall vision for the book. (Plus I have an incredibly flexible and generous publisher.)

If you’re looking for a cover artist, I don’t think you can do better than Rhea. Check her out at www.rheaewing.com.