AMAZONS

Cover illustration for the anthology edited by Jessica Amanda Salmonson

Mar 09, 2026

Framed by a full moon rising over hilltop, a female warrior poses triumphantly with her foot on the corpse of a defeated foe. Her heavy armor is a combination of segmented plate and exposed chainmail. Pauldrons flare wing-like, as does the bottom of her helm which is topped with a high tassel. Unrestrained wispy blonde hair is caught by the breeze. She holds a long spear with ribbons also stirring. A heavy mace hangs on her opposite hip while a sword with thin curving blade and crescent ornament on the grip hangs low on her back. A black steed cranes its neck ever so slightly to see around her. — AMAZONS (1979), Acrylic on Watercolor Board - 24” x 17”

When doing a cover for an anthology, I usually just had to come up with an image that communicated the underlying theme tying the stories together, and then run with it.

THREE AMAZONS (1982), Pen and Ink on Illustration Board - 12” x 8”

This was the first cover painting in which I deliberately used a symbolic element not taken from any story. The moon is the symbol—and source?—of feminine spirit and strength.

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