Even before I decided to give Ailsa a new title, I think I realised the old ‘cover image’, although very appealing, wasn’t quite right for the book, and so I couldn’t resist having a look on Flickr.
I was delighted to find an image with the exact phrase I had used, and immediately loved this linocut to bits, but had no illusions that the artist would reserve rights, but just for fun (and in the spirit of nothing ventured) I made contact.
I discovered that the artist is Deborah Kay, who lives in the hinterland of a coastal town in Australia (the wonders of t’internet!) Her art practice revolves around relief printmaking, both intricate hand-coloured linocuts and printing on richly coloured and textured Japanese Chyogami papers. Deborah is also a portrait and landscape painter. I’m extremely grateful to Debs for releasing the image to me and tidying it up (as she put it) as well.
Although the book is, obviously, unpublished right now, I think it helps to have an image associated with it, either as a marketing tool, or just to provide a visual clue for prospective readers – or buyers.
Do let me know what you think, here or on the book’s new page.
Ali Bacon, Author 