Fantasy artist of the day. John Jude Palencar

ohn Jude Palencar (born 1957 in Fairview Park, Ohio) is a fantasy, science fiction, and horror artist. Over 100 book covers have been adorned by his art, including all three covers of the Inheritance Cycle series by Christopher Paolini. He graduated from the Columbus College of Art and Design in 1980.

Palencar has exhibited in numerous group shows in galleries, colleges and universities throughout the United States. Demand for his work extends into Europe and the Pacific rim through sales of his original paintings, second-rights usages and commissions.

He was a featured artist for IDEA Magazine in Japan. Many private and corporate collections throughout the United States and Europe include his paintings. Palencar has created covers for several novels by Stephen King, who also holds Palencar's work in his private collection.

When Knopf published Eragon in 2003, they called on Palencar to draw the cover. He also drew the cover for Eldest and Brisingr.Paolini said that he named Palancar Valley after him long before Palencar illustrated the cover of Eragon.