Meet Mandy

A woman with shoulder-length hair, focused on a computer screen, sitting at a table with a glass of water and a black wire rack holding video game cases, in a minimalist background with a beige and brown color scheme. 
I'm Mandy Howard, a North Carolina watercolor artist specializing in the endangered art of fore-edge painting, the centuries-old tradition creating paintings on the edges of books.
I earned my BFA in Painting and Printmaking from VCU School of the Arts in Richmond, Virginia, and I've spent close to two decades building a life around making art. Before discovering fore-edge painting, I worked as a portrait and landscape artist, abstract painter, and children's book illustrator, always finding creative ways to keep an art career going, even when that meant working as a daycare teacher, library page, or cleaning lady. 
In 2023, a concussion made it difficult for me to spend long hours staring at screens, which led me to search for a more hands-on way to make art. That search introduced me to fore-edge painting.
Today, I paint one-of-a-kind books, accept select commissions, and release new work in my shop every two months. I also teach workshops for people who want to learn this wonderfully unique and rare art form for themselves.
When I'm not painting, I'm writing a middle-grade fantasy novel, cuddling my dog, crafting with my family, and finding excuses to be surrounded by books.
SHOP
COMMISSION A BOOK
PAST ARTWORK AND PRESS
WORKSHOPS
CHILDREN'S BOOK ILLUSTRATION
JOURNAL

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

  • Fore-edge painting is a centuries old, rare and endangered art form where detailed watercolor designs are hand-painted on the edges of book pages, turning your favorite book into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

  • I have been a professional artist since 2007 and I graduated Magna Cum Laude from VCUarts school in Richmond, VA with a BFA in Painting and Printmaking. I’ve done everything from baby portraits to abstract mixed media, and I worked as a children’s book illustrator until I discovered fore-edge painting. I have been a fore-edge painter since March 2024. Of all the work I’ve done, this is the most fun I have ever had creating art!

  • Both! I am fortunate to have Fable Books + Cafe in Holly Springs as my stockist. I also sell my work here, which you can purchase through the “Shop” tab.

  • Yes! Simply fill out the form above and I’ll get back to you with a free price estimate.

  • If you are commissioning a book, pricing begins at $350 per book and goes up depending on the following:

    1. What is the edition of the book you would like painted?

    2. How soon do you need the book completed?

    3. How many edges do you want painted?

    4. What are the scenes you’d like painted on the book?

    5. Where are you located? (so I can estimate shipping cost!)

  • 2-3 weeks from when the deposit is paid + the time it takes to ship to you

  • Every 4-6 weeks I’ll refresh the website with new work.

    *With the exception of Christmas time when I am mostly doing commissions!

  • I love fantasy books, and I especially love painting different scenes from Harry Potter. I’ve also been enjoying painting the classics like Little Women, Pride and Prejudice, and most recently Gone With the Wind.

  • Yes! I teach workshops 1-2 times per month at different galleries, bookstores and community centers throughout North Carolina. Details are on my “Workshops” tab. I’d love to paint with you!