The Creation of Ecology Paul
When I started thinking about the cover of my forthcoming novel, The Unravelling of Ou (Palimpsest Press, February 15, 2026), I had a pretty clear idea of what I wanted. And because I was publishing with a small press, I knew I’d have —within reason—a fair amount of control over my cover.
It was probably only a few days after signing my publication contract that I reached out to Santa Fe artist, Catie Powe. I first encountered Catie’s art on Instagram around 2022. Playful, vivid, and ethereal, I fell in love. I bought my first Catie Powe painting within weeks. I went on to commission several others, including paintings of all four of my children.
My baaaaaaabies!
The heart wants what it wants.
I knew Catie would be the perfect artist to capture the silly and sweet heart and soul of Ecology Paul—the sock puppet narrator of my novel. I sent Catie a description of the book and its protagonist, and the rest is a whimsical history befitting of an adorably bizarre character.
I’m tickled to share a few behind-the-scenes photos of the creation of Ecology Paul, with oodles of appreciation and admiration to Catie.
It all starts with a model! Catie made a puppet based on the novel’s description of Ecology Paul.
Then a digital mock up, which Catie sent to me for my thoughts. (I loved it.)
And then she composed a painting!
The cover, designed by Ellie Hastings. The Unravelling of Ou is coming out with Palimpsest Press on February 15, 2026. You can pre-order directly from the press or wherever books are sold.
Catie Powe!
Catie is an illustrator and painter whose work celebrates vivid color, playful details, and the beauty in everyday life. She has created artwork for books, restaurants, commissions, and her own art series, with a focus on capturing light, mood, and subtle moments. When she’s not painting, she enjoys sketching from life, exploring nature, and finding inspiration in unexpected places.
Find her on Instagram and TikTok @catiepowe, and on Facebook at Catie Powe Art. Shop her available artwork on Etsy at CatiePoweArt.
The original Ecology Paul and me. This is the prototype puppet I spoke with for the year I wrote the novel. I whipped this EP together in about 20 minutes, and sure, it may look a little tired, but it makes me smile every time I see its silly face.