Overview
I am an illustrator, artist and book cover designer based in Bristol, England and I have been working for over 10 years for clients including Penguin Random House, Harper Collins, Bloomsbury, The New Yorker, the New York Times, TED, the V&A, IMAX and the BBC. My cover designs have adorned books by writers such as Ernest Hemingway, Jack Kerouac, Thomas Hardy and Albert Camus as well as contemporary authors such as Ian McEwan, Sally Rooney and BIll Bryson and can be found all over the world.
Stylistically my unique visual approach combines traditional painting techniques with digital editing and graphic design in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign. This way of working allows me to be flexible with my artwork, whilst maintaining the sensibility and authenticity only achievable through an traditional, analogue medium.
Conceptually I am very interested in approaching sensitive subject matter with subtlety and humanity, using metaphor and delicacy to convey challenging themes when a literal approach may be harsh or inappropriate. Although my work primarily lends itself well to adult literary fiction, poetry and philosophical texts, my broad experience as an editorial illustrator provides me with a unique approach when communicating difficult or potentially dry non-fiction concepts in an intriguing way.
When collaborating with an author I will always read the manuscript where possible so I have a personal relationship with the text. I will then work closely with the client, sharing progress from rough sketches to final artwork and type design to ensure the artwork is performing exactly how it should be - forming a strong, lasting connection with the right audience and creating a striking first impression.
Conceptually I am very interested in approaching sensitive subject matter with subtlety and humanity, using metaphor and delicacy to convey challenging themes when a literal approach may be harsh or inappropriate. Although my work primarily lends itself well to adult literary fiction, poetry and philosophical texts, my broad experience as an editorial illustrator provides me with a unique approach when communicating difficult or potentially dry non-fiction concepts in an intriguing way.
When collaborating with an author I will always read the manuscript where possible so I have a personal relationship with the text. I will then work closely with the client, sharing progress from rough sketches to final artwork and type design to ensure the artwork is performing exactly how it should be - forming a strong, lasting connection with the right audience and creating a striking first impression.
Services
Fiction
Classics
Contemporary Fiction
Magical Realism
Poetry
Science Fiction
Non-Fiction
Health & Wellbeing
Nature
Sex & Relationships
Languages
English
Awards
- International Illustration Awards 2020 - Certificate of Merit for Book Cover Design - Donal Ryan Collected Novels - Penguin Random House
- Communication Arts 2020 Illustration Competition - Award of Excellence
- D&AD Awards 2021 - Winner of Three D&AD Pencils
- World Illustration Awards 2020 - Longlist- Donal Ryan Collected Novels - Penguin Random House
- Global Health Illustration Awards 2022 - Three Shortlisted Illustrations
- The Klaus Flugger Prize - Celebrating outstanding newcomers to picture book illustration - Shortlist 2023
Certifications
- Falmouth University - First Class Degree - Illustration BAHons
Work experience
Self-employed
Jan, 2009 —
Present
I am an illustrator, artist and book cover designer based in Bristol, England and I have been working for over 10 years for clients including Penguin Random House, Harper Collins, Bloomsbury, The New Yorker, the New York Times, TED, the V&A, IMAX and the BBC.
My cover designs have adorned books by writers such as Ernest Hemingway, Jack Kerouac, Thomas Hardy and Albert Camus as well as contemporary authors such as Ian McEwan, Sally Rooney and BIll Bryson and can be found all over the world.
Portfolio
Cover Design
Illustration
Typography
Cover Design
Illustration
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Cover Design
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Shortlisted for The International IMPAC Dublin Literary Prize 2013 Shortlisted for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize 2012'Sjón's novels are brilliant collisions of history and fable, psych... read more
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'Tremendous...utterly absorbing' Independent Proud, passionate Eustacia Vye marries Clym Yeobright in the hope that he will help her escape her cramped rural existence. But when their relation... read more
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Winner of the An Post Irish Novel of the Year 2020Longlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award'You have to truly love people to write like this' RACHEL JOYCE'One of the greatest nove... read more
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From the multi-award-winning author of the number one bestseller, STRANGE FLOWERS, a searing, jubilant about four generations of women and the love and stories that bind them.'I think you have... read more
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The #1 Irish Times bestseller An anthology of the very best Irish short stories, selected by Sinéad Gleeson, author of Constellations. There have been many anthologies of the short story as it... read more
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***LONGLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE 2018******SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA NOVEL AWARD 2018***'An engrossing, unpredictable, beautifully crafted novel' RODDY DOYLEFarouk’s country has been tor... read more
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Winner of the Nordic Council Literature Prize 'Enchantingly poetic . . . spellbinding . . . magical . . . exceptional' Independent The year is 1883. The stark Icelandic winter landscape is the... read more
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Tess is an innocent young girl until the day she goes to visit her rich 'relatives', the D'Urbervilles. Her encounter with her manipulative cousin, Alec, leads her onto a path that is beset wi... read more
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'A masterpiece . . . I challenge any author to top it!' Sigridur Alberstsdottir, Icelandic National Broadcasting Service.Jósef Loewe enters the world as a lump of clay - carried in a hatbox by... read more
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Winner of the Icelandic Literary Prize'An extraordinary and original writer' A.S. Byatt on Sjón Reykjavik, 1918. The eruptions of the Katla volcano darken the sky night and day. Yet despite th... read more
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An old man looks into the fearful eyes of a burglar left to guard him while his brother is beaten; an Irish priest in a war-torn Syrian town teaches its young men the art of hurling; the drive... read more
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From the twice Man Booker longlisted author of From a Low and Quiet Sea'A force of nature ... a life-enhancing talent' Sebastian BarryWhile the Celtic Tiger rages, and greed becomes the norm, ... read more
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From the twice Man Booker longlisted author of From a Low and Quiet Sea 'Poetic, powerful and heart-rending' The Times'An exquisite account of womanhood, friendship, prejudice and tradition th... read more
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Owen has 11 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness
Andrew M.
Dec, 2024
Pinned
Linda N.
Dec, 2024
Pinned
Nicole R.
Jun, 2023
Pinned
Deborah B.
Mar, 2025
Alden W.
Mar, 2025
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