I am fortunate to work with some amazing people on the Snow books and I wanted to give readers a chance to get to know the talent behind the scenes.
Jeffrey Hayes is the uber-talented illustrator behind Plasmafire Graphics. Not only does her provide covers for the Snow series, but also the Sheriff Tom Myers series, both for BEN Books, but he also handles cover duties for my Dante series from Valhalla Books. Jeffrey has given the Snow characters their distinctive looks and some fantastic cover art.
And now, meet Jeffrey Hayes.
Bobby
1. Tell us a bit about yourself and your background. How did you get into illustration and design?
I was ten years old in 1970, so to say I grew up in the 70s would be precise. I love the long-gone print media of that era. From movie posters, comics, magazines, and TV Guide, I loved the art and illustrations and would cut out my favorite pieces and keep them in a scrapbook to reference and attempt to emulate. This was also the era when table-top gaming was growing, so I got a job with a couple of Austin, Texas game publishers doing illustrations for games and related trade magazines. I then worked for a regional grocery company doing display and sign work until I changed careers, all the while maintaining my interest in illustration. In the 2000s, I began doing promotional posters for indie filmmakers and audio-drama production groups, which ultimately led to indie publishing and book covers and the creation of Plasmafire Graphics.
2. Who is Abraham Snow?
As I said, I grew up in the 70s and watched some of the best cop shows on television. I had a steady diet of, “Adam-12,” “Rockford Files,” “Beretta,” “Hawaii 5-0,” “Starsky and Hutch” and the like, all while watching reruns of shows like “Dragnet,” “Manix,” and “F.B.I.” This didn’t stop in the 80s, when shows like, “Magnum P.I.,” “Hill Street Blues,” “T.J. Hooker,” “Miami Vice,” and more were there to absorb. With that, my answer is simple, Abraham Snow is an amalgam of the very best leading
characters of those classic police action shows I grew up watching.
3. What draws you to the various characters in the Snow series?
When I read the Snow series, I see bits and pieces of the characters from the classic TV series I love. They are written with identifiable and reliable traits and behaviors that make them as interesting and the series lead. Then somewhere along the line, something remarkable happens. The Snow characters take on a life of their own and become fully fleshed-out and unique characters I can see in my mind’s eye. The Snow universe of good guys, bad guys, and questionable characters all resonate with me which makes them easy to illustrate.
4. Why should people be reading or listening to the Snow books?
The Snow stories are fast-paced and action-packed like any great and memorable classic cop show. If you like a mystery, a few car chases and gun fights, and all the other fun associated with those 1-hour cop shows of the 70s and 80s, then you should be reading these books. Each book is like a television episode, containing all the best elements from those classic TV shows.
5. Where can people learn more about you and your work?
You can learn more about my illustration world at www.plasmafiregraphics.com, www.facebook.com/plasmafiregraphics, or www.instagram.com/plasmafiregraphics
I was ten years old in 1970, so to say I grew up in the 70s would be precise. I love the long-gone print media of that era. From movie posters, comics, magazines, and TV Guide, I loved the art and illustrations and would cut out my favorite pieces and keep them in a scrapbook to reference and attempt to emulate. This was also the era when table-top gaming was growing, so I got a job with a couple of Austin, Texas game publishers doing illustrations for games and related trade magazines. I then worked for a regional grocery company doing display and sign work until I changed careers, all the while maintaining my interest in illustration. In the 2000s, I began doing promotional posters for indie filmmakers and audio-drama production groups, which ultimately led to indie publishing and book covers and the creation of Plasmafire Graphics.
2. Who is Abraham Snow?
As I said, I grew up in the 70s and watched some of the best cop shows on television. I had a steady diet of, “Adam-12,” “Rockford Files,” “Beretta,” “Hawaii 5-0,” “Starsky and Hutch” and the like, all while watching reruns of shows like “Dragnet,” “Manix,” and “F.B.I.” This didn’t stop in the 80s, when shows like, “Magnum P.I.,” “Hill Street Blues,” “T.J. Hooker,” “Miami Vice,” and more were there to absorb. With that, my answer is simple, Abraham Snow is an amalgam of the very best leading
3. What draws you to the various characters in the Snow series?
When I read the Snow series, I see bits and pieces of the characters from the classic TV series I love. They are written with identifiable and reliable traits and behaviors that make them as interesting and the series lead. Then somewhere along the line, something remarkable happens. The Snow characters take on a life of their own and become fully fleshed-out and unique characters I can see in my mind’s eye. The Snow universe of good guys, bad guys, and questionable characters all resonate with me which makes them easy to illustrate.
4. Why should people be reading or listening to the Snow books?
5. Where can people learn more about you and your work?
You can learn more about my illustration world at www.plasmafiregraphics.com, www.facebook.com/plasmafiregraphics, or www.instagram.com/plasmafiregraphics
Thanks again, Jeffrey!
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