Last summer I was given the task of creating an album cover for a local folk band called Winters Hill and thier EP 'someone in texas loves me'. After listening to thier music and meeting with the guys it was clear that they were a very organic band; They were freinds growing up, they appreciated the same music and the concept of putting the band together was to play at a local festival... to me thier story is very honest and refreshing. 

 

The guys had mentioned how they had approached tattoo artists to create a 'sailor jerry' style illustration for the cover, then they were going to print them off and stick them in jewel cd cases.... which is when my brain said to me 'yuck'... not yuck about the saior jerry illustrations, its a dope concept.. but the fact that something so organic could be put in a cheap and over manufactured jewel case. A first musical contribution from these guys should be something to keep and not just be thrown on a shelf.

 

I came up with sketches of a heart and scroll for the front cover. 

Once I had a decent version I took it onto photoshop and added the shading to get it looking like a tattoo flash

until I had the final illustration....

My wife is an artist and had recently ran some prints off on a digital press onto canvas to sell, which are great, it looks like it has been painted onto the canvas and is an affordable way to get an 'authentic' looking piece of art.... perfect for a cd sleeve! the only problem with this approach is that the cases would need to be stitched together..... which would be a mission.

who am I to turn down a mission ay?! Next came a series of manly events to make the cases. Sowing and cutting.

some shots of the finished piece. 

For the tracklisting I blacked out and sectioned the heart and hand drew the track titles on the back. 

Thanks for looking and appreciating. For more information on the band please visit https://www.facebook.com/wintershillband and the ep is avalable from http://wintershill.bigcartel.com/  while stocks last!