COVER ILLUSTRATION/
PENGUIN CLASSICS

Penguin Classics was planning a series of hardcover editions of classic literature. These gift-worthy books would feature full color illustrations printed on satin finish with colored endpapers, and ribbon markers. Penguin envisioned these editions as irresistible invitations to a generation of new readers to enter into some of the most beloved stories of all time.

I began this custom illustration with botanical images hailing back to the era when Hodgson Burnett’s Secret Garden was first published, over a century ago. To freshen the style for today’s audience, I used saturated colors, and added some gloriously vibrant insects, bringing life to this lovingly tended English garden. To avoid historically over-used  ‘door in the wall’ imagery, I instead chose a lock and key to add mystery and invite the curious book-shopper to lean in and have a peek at what might be inside.
(speculative work