JOHN PICACIO was born in 1969 in San Antonio, Texas. He is an award-winning illustrator who has created covers for works by Michael Marshall Smith, Harlan Ellison, Michael Moorcock, Robert Silverberg, Neil Gaiman, Joe R. Lansdale, Jeffrey Ford, Graham Joyce, Lucius Shepard, Charles De Lint, David Gemmell, L.E. Modesitt, Jr., Frederik Pohl, Hal Clement, and many, many others.

In 1992, he earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Four years later, he illustrated his first book – the 30th Anniversary Edition of Michael Moorcock's BEHOLD THE MAN. In May 2001, he chose a career in illustration over a career in architecture and devoted himself full-time to the craft of illustration.

Since then, his client list has continued to grow, including such publishing imprints as Random House/Del Rey, HarperCollins/Eos, Tor Books, Pocket Books, Pyr, MonkeyBrain Books, Viking Children's Books, Roc Books, Tachyon, Golden Gryphon Press, Orion/Gollancz, Night Shade Books, Earthling, Pegasus Books and REALMS OF FANTASY MAGAZINE.

He still lives in San Antonio, along with his partner and fiancée, Traci.

The Fantasy Writer's Assistant

Shelf Life

PUBLISHED WORKS

Some of John Picacio's most notable covers include THE FANTASY WRITER'S ASSISTANT by Jeffrey Ford (Golden Gryphon); LIVE WITHOUT A NET, edited by Lou Anders (Roc); GHOSTS OF COLUMBIA by L.E. Modesitt, Jr. (Tor Books); A CANTICLE FOR LEIBOWITZ by Walter Miller, Jr. (HarperCollins/Eos); GATEWAY by Frederik Pohl (Ballantine/Del Rey); HER SMOKE ROSE UP FOREVER by James Tiptree, Jr. (Tachyon); THE CAT'S PAJAMAS by James Morrow (Tachyon); WIZARDRY & WILD ROMANCE by Michael Moorcock (MonkeyBrain Books); STAR OF GYPSIES by Robert Silverberg (Pyr); BUMPER CROP by Joe R. Lansdale (Golden Gryphon); HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE by Chris Roberson (Pyr); FACE by Tim Lebbon (Night Shade); MORE TOMORROW & OTHER STORIES by Michael Marshall Smith (Earthling); THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF NEW TERROR, edited by Stephen Jones (Robinson/Carroll & Graf) and the 35th Anniversary Edition of DANGEROUS VISIONS, edited by Harlan Ellison (iBooks).

His work has been featured in many annuals and art compendiums, including SPECTRUM: THE BEST IN CONTEMPORARY FANTASTIC ART, APHRODISIA and RENDEROSITY.

Heros and Monsters

The Empire of Ice Cream

AWARDS

In 2002, he was presented with the International Horror Guild Award for Best Artist.

In 2005, he received a Chesley Award (for Best Paperback Cover) and was a finalist for the Hugo Award (Best Professional Artist). Later that same year, he received the prestigious World Fantasy Award for Best Artist.

Live Without a Net

Bumper Crop

CURRENT PROJECTS

Current projects include the cover for H.P. LOVECRAFT'S BOOK OF THE SUPERNATURAL, edited by Stephen Jones, from New York publishing imprint Pegasus Books, which launches its list in 2006.

COVER STORY: THE ART OF JOHN PICACIO, is a 200-page hardcover of the best of the artist's cover work. It will be published by MonkeyBrain Books in May 2006.

Further information can be found at the official website www.johnpicacio.com