DIARY OF AN ACCIDENTAL WALLFLOWER

This is the front cover illustration for a book by the same title. It also has an inside, or stepback illustration, which is a cover inside the front cover. This stykle was developed in response to women readers being embarrassed by the racy love scenes on the covers of their books. Initially they were attracted to the book by the love scne, but then often covered them with brown paper to keep peole from seeing they were reading such a naughty book.  On the front covers now there is usually a rather safe scene of a young woman. Or if a love scene, it is very tame. The stepback cover tells a different story! This is where the bodice gets ripped, the back arches and the girl really lets her hair down.

For this cover, I played with the notion of a wall flower. The girl is almost becoming part of the wallpaper as she reads a love letter.

The period sofa is from the High Museum in Atlanta.