SWR: Looking at your portfolio, I love the diversity in your work – from very designed graphical treatments to classic looking sci-fi. I’ve been producing art for covers for about 3-4 years (the stuff that’s actually worth looking at anyway) but I’ve been working with other peoples art and photography for magazines and books for my whole time as a print designer (12ish years).

What started out as just plonking text on other peoples art has slowly changed to helping to write briefs, choosing and giving feedback (along with the editor and publishing manager) on cover commissions, and now having a go at it myself. Several years after that I took on the design work for Solaris Books too. When Rebellion founded Abaddon books, I was working as the graphic designer on 2000 AD, and the job of putting the novels together was given to me. SWR: How did you get involved with creating cover art and how long have you been doing it? These days I like to think my tastes are a little more sophisticated, but I’m just lying to myself. Major early influences were things like The Beano, 2000 AD, Games Workshop, He-Man, Starcom toys, Star Wars, Hokey B movies, that kind of thing. The ‘things’ have changed over the years, in fact, for a lot of my favourite projects I haven’t done much ‘drawing’ either… still, it feels like the same process to me, which is the important thing. The only thing I ever remember wanting to do really is draw things. SWR: When did you know you wanted to become an artist and what were some of the major influences that put you on this path?

It’s a standout cover, so I was excited when Pye agreed to visit the blog and answer some questions about his work, the process for designing the Blood and Feathers cover, and what his motto is for leading a more reflective life. The cover is perfect – the explosion of feathers, the blood splatters for wings, and the the shadowy figure in the center all let you know this is a dark urban fantasy with angels that aren’t necessarily playing harps. The artist is UK-based Simon “Pye” Parr, head designer for Solaris Books. This week’s Shelf Candy features the beautiful cover for Blood and Feathers by Lou Morgan. Shelf Candy is a meme hosted by Maria Click the button above to see what other covers are being featured this week. Shelf Candy – Interview with PYE PARR, Cover Artist for Blood and FeathersĪugLee General, Interviews, Shelf Candy 16

Big red button with cover parr