This week's awesome artist interview features Ruth Anna Evans, a favorite within the indie community. Ruth Anna Evans is a horror writer, anthologist, publisher, and cover designer who lives in the heart of all that is sinister: the American Midwest.
She has self-published the horror collections OH FUCK OH FUCK IT HURTS and No One Can Help You: Tales of Lost Children and Other Nightmares.
She is the editor of Ooze: Little Bursts of Body Horror, two spooky novellas, and a new medical horror novella coming out this summer. Ruth Anna Evans works with indie authors across the community to design their covers in a professional and polished way.
Ruth Anna has done several of my book covers and she has always done fantastic work! She is kind, a genuine joy to work with, and pays attention to detail.
Ruth Anna Evans
Did you always want to be an artist?
I’m one of those people who has always “felt” like an artist. But until I discovered cover design, I just hadn’t found that thing that I could really settle into and stretch what I could do. I was relieved when I felt it just click, it made me feel like I had found what I’d been looking for.
When did you first begin to draw and when did you start drawing horror pieces?
I can’t draw a lick. Not any at all. I’m doing well if I can do a good line. I did my first horror cover design for myself. I was so annoying when I was getting a cover designed that the designer emailed me the Photoshop file and told me to have at it. From there, I have practiced every day and been lucky enough to have help from some talented people.
What is your favorite thing about being an artist and what are your favorite mediums to work with?
Wow, that’s a really great question. My favorite thing about being an artist is seeing myself get better. I love doing a design that’s better than anything I’ve ever done before. I love the craft.
Do you do any interior illustrations for the book or movie industry currently?
I have done some interior illustrations. They were realistic photographic illustrations of scenes for Judith Sonnet, and they turned out really well. That’s the only interior work I’ve done, other than covers for each of the pieces in Ooze.
If you could work with any author, creator, or movie director, who would it be and what would be the project?
I would love to work with Junji Ito. I would be crazy excited to see what images he would make out of my work. Plus, working with him would make me cool to my daughter, which would be a total bonus.
What advice would you give to other artists?
Practice. It’s not all going to be good. Some of it will suck. But if you practice a LOT, you will absolutely get better.
Where do you hope to see yourself in five years with regards to your artwork?
I’d like to be making enough money to be making progress on paying off my daughter’s college debt. I’d like for my art to be considered with the top tier artists in the community. I also hope that I will still feel like I am continually learning.
What are some of your favorite pieces or projects that you have done so far?
There is an unrevealed project that I think is my best work ever. It’s a golden color is all I will tell you, and for a ghost story. I am super-duper proud of my cover for The Harbinger by Kyle Rolinatis. And I’ve loved every time I’ve worked with Judith Sonnet. We make some cool shit together.
What are your thoughts, if any, on the use of A.I. generated art images?
It sucks. I lost a job recently to AI. People don’t want to pay money. It sucks. And what REALLY sucks is the “artists” who are selling AI and pretending it’s not. That’s super lame.
What is your favorite thing about being in/a part of/or a fan of the Horror industry?
I feel like I can be myself. I can be as creative and crazy as I am, and people will support me just like I support them. Horror stories are universal stories, and I like that connection I feel when I read or write or make or see something really good.
What other services do you offer clients?
I also do logos, audiobook covers, and any general piece of design work you may need done.
What current projects are in the works that you would like to mention?
I am getting ready to publish my first book that I didn’t write, from my “One Stellar Novella” call. I’ll be announcing that name and the book shortly. Artistically, I’m working on learning some of the more creative tools on photoshop so that I can grow my style to meet the demands of the market and just have a ton of fun.
Find more of Ruth Anna Evans below:
For more information on book cover design, go to her website: ruthannaevans.com (google.com)
You can also join her Facebook Group Ruth Anna Evans Cover Designs to see current pre-made cover art.
She’s on Twitter @ruthannaevans and on Facebook as Ruth Anna Evans.
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