Portrait illustration (acrylic on canvas) and design work (Adobe Illustrator)
Artist, Illustrator, Designer: John Potter - Escape Key Graphics
This illustration is an acrylic painting on a stretched canvas 18"x24". I used lots of reference photography, but didn't use any one single model. The woman you see in the illustration is one hundred percent fictional and a product of my imagination only. This is one reason I didn't hesitate to change her looks a lot as I went along. Hiring a model for reference photography would have been a good idea, but I didn't go about it that way.
The book is a story about a young mom from Nigeria and her experiences with genital mutilation, custody and immigration battles, and more.
The original concept was far more complex, but we decided something that could hold up well when greatly reduced was better.
The stitched mouth was both a metaphor for genital mutilation and the attempts of people to silence her. The concept beyond the stitched mouth was a bold portrait of a strong and defiant, young, attractive, Nigerian woman.
Purchase the book on Amazon.
ABOUT COVER ILLUSTRATIONS:
There is a well-known saying that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but in reality, people do. If you have invested time, money, and creative energy into a book, magazine, or other publication, having a strong, eye-catching cover is essential. Authors and publishers often tell me that my cover illustrations have helped sell more copies than the content alone, opening doors to readers who might not have discovered the work otherwise. While this may seem surprising, it underscores the importance of compelling visual storytelling in capturing attention and communicating ideas at a glance.
Illustration offers unique advantages over photography for cover design. While photography can be a powerful choice in certain situations, illustration allows for the clear depiction of abstract concepts, fictional settings, or ideas that cannot be photographed. It also provides complete control over color, lighting, and composition, down to precise digital detail. This flexibility allows each cover to convey mood, tone, and narrative in a way that is fully tailored to the content it represents.
Over the years, I have created cover illustrations for books, magazines, and a wide variety of publications. The earliest work currently displayed on my site is the 2011 cover for Phillip Singer: An Accounting, which was hand-painted in oil, photographed, and then completed digitally using Illustrator and Photoshop. Today, most of my cover illustrations are produced entirely digitally, with a focus on vector-based techniques that ensure crisp, clean, and scalable designs suitable for print or digital media.
Each cover I create is designed to capture attention, communicate the story, and elevate the publication's visual identity. Whether for a book, magazine, or other creative project, my illustrations combine artistry, precision, and concept-driven design to make a memorable first impression that engages audiences and enhances the overall impact of the work.
PORTRAITS:
BROWSE MY WORK
- Illustration: Browse custom illustrations, book cover art, illustrated maps, and architectural renderings.
- Fine art: View original paintings and drawings, the Custom Halftone Series, and mural commissions.
- Graphic design & motion: See design projects, then watch motion reels and animated pieces.
- Maps by use case: Explore illustrated maps created for boat shows, resorts, marinas, real estate, transportation & parking, cities & towns, parks, and wayfinding.
- Specialty projects: Also check out cover design, vinyl & vehicle wraps, proposal renderings, and street art.
- Style & technique: Discover vector, isometric, painterly, monochrome, data-driven, bird's-eye, and halftone approaches.
- Tools I use: Everyday software includes Photoshop, Illustrator, SketchUp, and InDesign; motion work relies on Premiere & After Effects.