Saturday, October 27, 2012

Shelf Candy Saturday #41: Parting the Veil, by Nene Thomas

 
 
Welcome to
Shelf Candy Saturday!!


This weekly meme/blog hop, hosted here,
features beautiful book covers!
It was originally hosted by
Stephanie @
Five Alarm Book Reviews,
a blog I really miss...



If you'd like to participate, just grab my button (or create your own), write your own post, and link up in the Linky widget at the bottom of this post. Just be sure to click on "Read more" so that the entire post will open up.
 
As a bonus, you can include information on the artist, designer, and/or photographer in your post, but it's not required. You can simply feature a cover and explain why you love it!
 

Here's my choice for this week!

 
 
 
The Art of Nene Thomas
Hardcover, 128 pages
Chimera Publishing
July 1, 2005
Art Monograph, Fantasy Illustration 
 
 
Why do I love this cover?
 
Anything that has to do with fantasy is endlessly fascinating to me!  I love fairies, dragons, unicorns, wizards, magical kingdoms...  And, of course, I love horses, as well!
 
While this is not a fictional work, it does have something to do with the fantasy realm, obviously.  The entire book is totally dedicated to fantasy illustration, and each work of art is totally beautiful!  (Yes, I own this treasure.) 
 

I find this artist's style totally enchanting, if you'll forgive the pun.  This fairy is so masterfully rendered, with those delicate, veined wings, and the exquisite folds of her dress flowing over the horse's back...  The horse is a perfect example of equine beauty, with that glorious mane that mimics the flow of the fairy's dress.   He is a fine creature of the highest breeding, and his harness shows that he belongs to a royal house.  Perhaps he's carrying the Fairy Queen on his back. 
 
The Queen, if such she is, seems to be conversing with a small dragon flying at her side.  Or perhaps she's receiving a message from the Dragon King.  She might, instead, be giving him a message to carry for her, in order to avert a possible war.  There are so many possibilities!  This cover certainly lends itself to the creation of a high fantasy tale!
 
The scene is lovely, as well.  The winter landscape surrounding the fairy and her  horse is as magical as they are.   The branches of the low-lying trees echo the swirling movements of the fairy's beautiful long hair.  The white of the snow helps the horse's white mane to stand out.
 
This is such a lovely cover!  I'd love to have that hair, as well as that dress!  And what I wouldn't give to ride that gorgeous steed!
 
I didn't even have to think twice when I first saw this book online.  I bought it at once!  Beautiful books are treasures far more wonderful than actual jewels, I think!
 
If you love to read fantasy novels as much as I do, then treat yourself to this book.  Believe me, it will occupy a proud place right next to Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia!   
 
 


What do you think of my choice?
What beautiful covers
are you featuring this week?
 
 
 
 

12 comments:

  1. You have great taste in book covers Maria! In addition to what you mentioned, I love the way the artist throughs in two small spots of red in what are otherwise subdued colors.

    I also like that blueish grey background.

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  2. Wow, Neme Thomas's artwork is so beautiful, I can't believe I'd never even heard of it before reading your post! I'm afraid (though only for my wallet) that I might end up buying this book of artwork as well-- I can't resist fantasy novels or artwork.

    I have some books of Amy Brown's lovely artwork in my room at home, but it looks as though Neme might trump her in the variety of fantasy art she does (Amy mostly paints faeries). So glad you decided to feature this book, Maria!

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  3. Ooh that's a very pretty cover. Btw, thank you so much for your comment on my Friday post.

    If you don't mind, what's your Shelfari name? You should come join the Bibliophile group. A Winter Reading Challenge will be starting soon.

    Vonnie's Readin Corner

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  4. That is definitely a stunning cover. I really like the horse. It just flows. Way cool! Thanks for sharing!

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  5. Hey, Brian!

    This is definitely a GORGEOUS cover! Youi're so right -- those touches of red really make all the subdued colors stand out.

    Thank you so much for compliment!! : )

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  6. Hey, Kat!

    I'm glad you've discovered this artist through my post. But let me tel you -- she, too, does fairies only. Not that I mind!

    I'm a HUGE sucker for fantasy art, too! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!

    Thanks for such a GREAT comment!! : )

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  7. Hi, Vonnie!

    It IS indeed pretty, isn't it? When I first saw this cover I KNEW I had to get this book!

    My Shelfari name is Maria B. Hey, that sounds like an interesting group! Although I don't think I can join this challenge -- I'm already committed to a Christmas reading challenge.

    Thanks so much for the comment!! : )

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  8. Hey, Heidi!

    Glad you like this cover. And I especially love the horse.

    You're very welcome for the share! Thanks for commenting!! : )

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  9. That's a great cover. Definitely eye catching and gorgeous. I, also, love the colors. Great pick as always and I can definitely see a story in it.

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  10. Hey, Lis!

    This is a really GREAT cover, isn't it? Glad you agree, and see a story in it, too.

    Thanks for the compliment!! : )

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  11. I wish there was a way that blogs notify people of responses made on other blogs. Is hard to keep track sometimes of the comments one makes.

    Anywho, here's the link to the Bibliophile group: http://www.shelfari.com/groups/23394/about

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  12. Hi, again, Vonnie!

    There IS a way to be notified, but I'll leave more details on your blog. Meanwhile, thanks for the link!! : )

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