John Avon

John Avon (born 1961 in Cardiff, Wales) is a fantasy and science fiction illustrator. Avon has published a book of his work and his work has been used for book covers, CD covers, games, toys and advertising campaigns. He is best known for his artworks for the collectible card game, Magic: The Gathering, of which he has produced over 200 paintings.

Life and work

Avon completed an art foundation course near to where he grew up in Cardiff, and gained a BA in graphic design in Brighton. He began his art career in 1983 with commercial advertising.

He has painted book covers for authors Stephen King, Terry Pratchett, Arthur C. Clark and Harry Harrison.

Avon is one of the most prolific Magic: The Gathering artists, having painted over 280 unique cards, mostly landscapes on 'Basic Land' cards. For the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game, he created the image for the Water Elemental card which is used in Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft.

In 2014 he successfully used the Kickstarter crowd funding website to raise funds for an illustrated book of his work, Journeys to Somewhere Else (2015).

Avon is married to the illustrator Patricia MacCarthy, with whom he has two sons and lives in Saltdean, near Brighton and Hove, England. He also composes, plays and records music on the guitar and piano.

Publications

• Journeys to Somewhere Else. Self-published / John Avon Art, 2015. Hardback ISBN 9780993109706. Deluxe edition of 500 copies ISBN 9780993109713. Illustration and text.