From the book by M. K. Wren, commissioned and published by Berkley Books, 1985
This was the third book in a series I illustrated, called "The Phoenix Legacy".
This was also one of my most unusual assignments-to offer a different approach to what was essentially a romance novel series.
Basically it was an "Empire" story, set in space, but without much of the science involved, the emphasis was on the battles, romance, relationships and intrigue, so much the staple of the romance genre.
Gene Midlowski, my art director, asked for a straitforward depiction of spaceships for all three covers-no people, to cater to a Sci-Fi audience, so, the only connection to the somewhat medieval feel of the book, was the emblem on the ship. The other books were, "Sword of the Lamb", and "Shadow of the Swan"
Gouache on Masonite 16" x 26".