This issue’s cover artist Joey Moreira provides us with a detailed drawing that captures many different styles, colors and themes in one cohesive image. The piece is loaded with symbolism of the state of RI: our admiration of this work mirrors the appreciation that we have for the state we call home.
Moreira wanted an aesthetic contrast between the vibrant colors, which are centered around the masked woman, and the dark background that is decorated with our RI area code. The illustration is partly inspired by The Spirit of Youth, a bronze statue located on Blackstone Boulevard in PVD. The sculpture memorializes Constance Witherby, a 16-year-old PVD girl who passed away while hiking in the Alps in 1929.
Moreira elaborates on the detail of his artwork by noting, “My direction was inspired by my love for both color, black-and-gray style tattooing and how they look when you pull them both together. I also wanted to find a way to incorporate our lil Rhody into the design as it is home and I feel we have such rich art and culture. You will find our state flag symbol, state flower and in the heart… our actual state as it appears on the map.”
To learn more about Joey Moreira and his work, particularly his tattoo artistry, read our coverage about his wins at the 2022 Motif Tattoo Awards.
