As I prepared to share my first drafts, I felt an overwhelming urge to include a book cover. Maybe it was procrastination, or an attempt to add a professional flourish to compensate for my uncertainty in the writing, but I believe books should be a feast for our eyes. The cover whets the appetite for the story. And yes, I judge a book by its cover.
I found inspiration when I attended the Beyond Van Gogh exhibition and was reminded of the powerful story within his art. If anything exemplified the turmoil of mental illness with the hope of a better tomorrow, it’s Starry Night. The vibrant color choices reflected a beauty and light to counteract the inner turmoil swirling on the canvas. Between the image and the artist’s story, it encapsulated the story I was trying to tell.
My appreciation for Van Gogh’s work developed twenty years ago when I visited the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Following the progression of his work illuminated his ability to create art at a high level, and his journey to finding his artistic voice. The financial and emotional support he received from his younger brother, Theo, also touched me. Their letters provided a peek into the mental health issues that plagued the artist, adding another layer to his work. It was the translation and publication of these letters that led to his posthumous fame.
Looking at his life, I saw parallels to my relative (Hope) who has mental illness. They both suffered since youth, struggled with holding down jobs, and made other poor lifestyle choices that led to financial ruin. I wondered if Van Gogh’s prolific art output of 2100 pieces in ten years was a product of mania. Did he cut off his ear because he was hearing voices? Was his suicide brought on by a fear of losing Theo’s support or to escape his pain?
A little research confirmed my suspicions. Experts believed Vincent likely suffered from bipolar disease. They theorize he also experienced psychosis and auditory hallucinations (or voices). What better depiction could I find?
A book cover should entice the reader with a strong first impression, and convey the tone or theme of the book. To design the cover, I used concepts covered in The Non-Designer’s Design Book by Robin Williams, Canva, and an open-source picture file of Starry Night.
In creating the design, I focused on a portion of his painting that included three elements. The first was the light from the moon to signify the brightness of Hope. I chose a portion of yellow in the top corner because, with severe mental illness, hope is something to move toward but rarely achieved in full. Second, was a section of dark color including black located at the bottom to exemplify the depth of gloom that madness brings. Third, I wanted swirls that included a range of hues to incorporate the idea that life includes both light and dark, and to capture the movement between hope and madness.
I understand that if the book is traditionally published the cover will likely change, but each time it pops up a sense of accomplishment and joy arises.
I would appreciate your thoughts and input. As always, I ask that you please stay on topic. Be kind. Be constructive. Be supportive. Thanks.
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