Helen Sadler is a British graphic designer, illustrator and abstract artist living in Ibiza. She takes inspiration for her work from all around Ibiza. Her acrylic on canvas paintings uniquely capture the energy of nature in an explosion of light and colour. We asked Helen to write a post for us about her album cover works..
Phil Cooper approached me at the end of 2020 to work on designing the next album covers for his record label, NuNorthern Soul. The ‘Hints of Ibiza’ series was being released in 2021. He had seen my abstract art and sketches of Ibiza and wanted to combine the two to create the album cover artwork for his eight new artists.
Phil wanted to use iconic Ibiza landmarks for the artwork so that people who knew Ibiza would recognise them. I had many abstract art backgrounds to choose from, and I created about 22 sketches, of which eight were selected for the final covers.
The illustrations were hand-drawn, scanned, and photoshopped onto digital photographs of my abstract art, and Phil directed the album cover design.
Gusk – ‘Mediterranean Sketches’ illustrates the walkway jetty at Sa Trinxa, on the beach at Salinas. Many people who already know Ibiza will recognise it. The painting used for the background artwork was commissioned by some friends in Ibiza, inspired by the colours of their swimming pool.
Lova – ‘Gypsophila’ features the doorway of Hostal La Torre. Phil was playing music there one evening, and Lova, who was on holiday at the time, introduced himself and gave him his USB. Phil listened to it and played it immediately for the sunset track that evening. Because sunset colours had already been used, we opted to have a lighter painting for the artwork, with Balearic colours.
Marshal Watson – ‘Sunsets on Larkin part 1’ has the windmill on the roundabout outside the San Jordi Market. The background painting used is one of my favourites, based on the colours of the waters in the Mediterranean Sea, and is in a private collection in Ibiza.
Marshal Watson – ‘Sunsets on Larkin part 2’ features the Vara de Rey monument in Ibiza Town. The red painting is a small painting inspired by the dramatic colours in the sky of the Ibiza winter sunsets.
My Friend Dario – ‘Cosmic Sailing Remixes’ has an illustration of the ‘Cala Millor’, the sailboat that was moored next to the lighthouse at the entrance of the Ibiza Port. The painting used is a cosmic one, like part of the night sky or the universe. This painting felt right to go with this cover. It is also in a private collection in Ibiza.
Tambores En Benirras – ‘Orbe Dotado’ has a picnic terrace on the rocks at the side of the beach at Benirras, with the famous rock at sea in the background. It looked strange to have just the rock, and having it in the foreground gave it a sense of proportion and identity. The painting used as the background evokes the feeling of sun, sand, and sunsets. It is owned in a private collection in Ibiza.
B.J Smith & Huw Costin—’ Sun when you come / Shinrin-Yoku’ haș an illustration of a windswept tree at Es Codolor. Many people love this tree, and I have always enjoyed photographing it. It was a pleasure to draw it. The background artwork is inspired by the colours in the Ibiza Forests.
George Solar—’ Los Rayos Del Sol’ has the tower at the end of Salinas and Es Cavellet. There are a few towers around the coast of Ibiza, and this is one of the most well-known. The painting used in the background is one of the first gold ones I painted, and George now owns it. It was Inspired by the golden stones in the countryside and around Ibiza.
Designing the covers helped lift my profile as an artist with all the publicity it got, and I am proud of the work created. It tested my belief in my ability and fears of if I could do it. Ever since studying graphic design at University I had always wanted to do album cover art, looking at album covers was probably what got me to study graphic design in the first place, and it was great to have the opportunity to create the artwork for a respected Balearic record label and all the wonderful music and artists involved.
To see more work and next exhibitions follow Helen @helensadlerart and www.helensadlerart.com
