Mary McLeod Bethune

Book Cover Design

Client: UT Press
Art Direction and Design: Elisa Razak

Mary McLeod Bethune, one of the historic founders of Bethune-Cookman University, rose from humble beginning as the free daughter of former slaves. She worked as a field hand from the age of five to initiate a school for African American girls that would become today’s university. Her religious upbringing in an impoverished South and hard-nosed work ethic led her to found the training school. The author requested an illustrated portrait cover which I agreed. I opted for the painterly, loose brush stroke effect to achieve an ethereal yet powerful presence.