Ruth Thompson 129 Vienna Avenue Niles, OH 44446 Phone: (330) 544-1991 E-mail: SignyD@aol.com Ruth Thompson is a native Ohioan and a current "redhead." She escaped the University of Alabama with a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design and Art History, and soon began her own business, Tarnished Images. Her interest in fantasy was assisted by her Mom, who brainwashed her with tales of faeries and goblins and other weird stuff all through Ruth's childhood. This, along with a steadily growing artistic ability sent her careening into the "phase" (her father's term) of actually drawing this weird stuff. Her sister pushed Ruth into a fantasy/science fiction convention art show and locked the door until Ruth agreed to show the pencil sketches she had done of their group's FRPG characters. By the show's end, most of the pieces had departed with happy new owners, a trend that continues to this day (but without the sister stuff). Ruth has been honored with numerous Artist Guest of Honor appearances at conventions all around the country and many accolades and awards. A New York publisher saw Ruth's work at one of these shows and was impressed enough to offer her a contract for book covers starting in January 1996, which Ruth accepted, thereby fulfilling some prophecy somewhere. Her publishing credits include artwork for Royal Fireworks Press, Wizards of the Coast, Palliard Press, Steve Jackson Games, TSR, GREY WORLDS MAGAZINE, Black Dragon Press, Mayfair Games, Last Unicorn Games, and others.