I mentioned that I use GIMP for my cover art before. I thought I'd share my latest. The base is a photograph of a National Gallery of Art painting (released under their image program), the gears are photographs my husband took of my collection of clock gears, and the girl is actually my little sister when she was young (with her permission).

GIMP came into play blending the images, making the smoke, smokestack, and paddlewheel, making the sail to hold the back text, and extending the painting to fit the cover size since the NGA rules are no enlargement. I also created the glow around the gears and half a dozen other effects...and the text font is using Graechan's Antique Metal logo script to start, then additional manipulation.

Oh, and my sister was cradling my son, not a giant gear originally.

The book came out a couple weeks ago .

Seriously, since discovering this forum and listening to all of you, my skills have grown immeasurably. Thank you for opening this outlet for my artistic side. I'm having a lot of fun...and getting things done as well .

Margaret, that is wonderful! I wish you much success in your book. It's likely to be read. I love it!

Thanks, Issabella. I certainly hope you're right about the reading .

Very nice. All the best with the book.

@MarFisk, your cover is very beautiful and well done... KUDO's

Wow!
It was excellent!
Very good job!
Thanks for sharing!

good luck for the book
splendid cover!

Nice work!

BTW... What's a "Book"?

Thanks,sallyanne, molly, Akros, Marcello, and Wallace. It means a lot to hear that from artists. Just because I like it doesn't mean as much.

And Wallace, it's a special stand designed to hold artwork that likes to wrap around something .