Interview With Earth Angel Cover Designer, Adara Rosalie

Since I've had the Falling Angles Saga covers redesigned, so many people have asked me "who does your book covers?  They're gorgeous!"  Today I am unveiling my secret weapon. I'd like everyone to meet the woman who created and designed the covers for Boyfriend From Hell and Earth Angel, my new friend Jayde, also known as Adara Rosalie.  First a brief bio.

Known as Adara Rosalie, Jayde, is a self-taught digital artist living in the Sydney Region of New South Wales, Australia. Her works bring forth the beauty in the dark, strange and Gothic. Her images are beautifully rendered, with a blend of photo manipulation and digital painting, showing a natural talent for creating new and fantastic visual artworks that are original in concept.

Fast becoming sought after for her particular style, Adara has been commissioned for the design of a number of CD covers, promotional displays, and book covers.
She has also been featured in magazines such as Advanced Photoshop (Issue 81), won a number of awards on artist community websites (thanks to all her supporters, whom bolster and strengthen her and her art with their wonderful comments) and a variety of other wonderful things that are to be confirmed in the near future (including publication in a digital book by Quarto Publishing Ltd.).

Jayde currently lives at home with her family and her puppy-dog, Constantine, but has recently made another big change in her life by purchasing her first home with her partner, Michael.

1)      Hi Jayde.  Thanks for stopping by. I noticed when I first saw your work that you have an eye for making things pretty using Photoshop.  Where does this gift come from?

            I am an only child so developed a vivid imagination at an early age that developed in later years into a passion for visual arts. It was not until I enrolled into a visual arts diploma at TAFE (tertiary educational institution) that I was introduced to Photoshop in one of the core units. I was instantly captivated with the program (if a little over whelmed at first by all the tools and features) and branched out in my spare time in researching tutorials and practicing with it until I understood all aspects of the program. If I was unsure how to create an effect I took the initiative to contact other artists to ask their advice, or if available, discuss techniques with my teachers.

            Every artist develops their own individual artist practice and finds inspiration in a variety of ways (music, TV, movies, life experiences, appropriation of concepts, history, mythology, culture or subculture).  I find my inspiration from my love of Gothic subcultures, mythology, fables and life experiences.

            I was not always as proficient with Photoshop. My first works are devoid of finesse and were very raw. I did not have the knowledge to create special effects or produce professional quality images. It is only with hours and hours of practice that I was able to create high quality images that were visual representations of my imagination.

      Tell us a little about yourself?

            I have been subject to High School Bullying because I came from a low income household and saw things differently from others. In year 12 , I found the body of my Uncle who had committed suicide. In spite of this trauma I continued on to complete year 12 and receive my High School Certificate. It was through the support and care of my teachers and family that helped me to succeed.

I had to put off enrolling into university, and had to enter the work force to be able to pay household living costs. I waited 5 years before my family was financially stable, I took a leap of faith and quit my job, and enrolled into a diploma of visual arts course that ran for 2 years. It was in those two years at Tafe, working and developing my skills, that I discovered that working in an office as a paper pusher was not a career that makes me happy. In my last year of Tafe, I applied to the Australian Catholic University to enroll into a Bachelor of Teaching/ Bachelor of Visual Arts, and to my utter delight was accepted. I was a mature aged student. My education comes first. It is the basis for a career that I love and a solid income.

In the meantime it I have been working with digital art, and following my personal dreams of becoming a well-known artist and book cover designer. It has taken me 5 years to build my artist portfolio, reputation and network. I am continually reaching new heights and have never been happier with my life and choices.

The Falling Angels Saga covers are really gorgeous.  How hard was it to come with the design?  How hard was it working with E? (Be honest)

                Thank you! I was truly honored and blessed to be able to work with E. (and not only because I grew up with the Cosby Show)! Working on any commission for a client has its ups and downs, it is the most difficult thing to be able to take what another individual envisions and try to create a visual image. I have worked with a variety of clientele and found that E. was one of the most pleasurable and easiest clients to work with.

            E. provided me with an outline, or suggestion, on the type of images that he envisioned and gave me creative license to work within my own imaginative and artistic capabilities. This provided me with the freedom to work WITH E. on creating the perfect cover.

6)      What’s your favorite project you ever worked on?  Why?

            I don’t really have a favorite project, but if I had to choose, I would say working with E. on his book covers. I love being able to develop freely, creating new works of art that reach out and capture the imagination of people. I think that the act of creating, in itself, is a wonderful gift and I love every moment that I have creating.

7)      What are your guilty pleasures in life?

                Hmmnnn, guilty pleasures... I love pepperoni pizza! I know that it is not healthy, but so yummy! And I am a HUGE fan of Family Guy.

8)      Where can fans find you on the web?

            My works of art can be found in a variety of places. I have many artist portfolios, and am a member of a few sites where prints, posters and iPhone cases can be purchased of my work.

Redbubble: http://www.redbubble.com/people/jayderosalie

Deviant Art: http://jayderosalie.deviantart.com/

Advanced Photoshop UK: http://www.advancedphotoshop.co.uk/user/adararosalie

The Untapped Source: http://www.theuntappedsource.com/artist_detail.php?category=344

Art Flakes: http://www.artflakes.com/en/shop/adararosalie

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adararosalie/

Shadowness:  http://shadowness.com/Jayde

Thanks for stopping by, Jayde.  For those of you who didn't get enough, we'll be hearing from Jayde again some time early next year.  Please stop by some of Jayde's sites, check out her work, and maybe even purchase something. 
Peace and Happy Holidays.