Here is the concept art that ultimately didn’t make it onto my book cover. They were all fun to make, but none of them had the right personality. (One day, though, I hope to write a story that will live up to the flamingo cover.)
I learned a lot along the process. First, don’t use copyrighted works even for private concept art, because you might fall in love with something you can’t ultimately use. Second, it’s not easy, but you can search wikimedia commons for art that falls under “CC-BY-3.0” a common license that can be used for book covers. Third, there are a lot of stock photography sites that charge a small fee for the kind of print runs an indy author would have. Fourth, it’s way easier to have a graphic designer do your cover than to do it yourself. Fifth, I learned how to use the free image manipulation program GIMP. WIN!
Here is some more detailed information about the art in this picture. I did my best, but if this is your art and I’ve attributed it incorrectly please let me know.
Flamingo cover
Moab by DR04, found at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:05242008_Moab50.JPG
Flamingoes by Christian Mehlführ, found at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:James_Flamingos_MC.jpg
Floating doll cover
Sealing Room: author unknown, found at http://thetrumpetstone.blogspot.com/2011/02/unique-sealing-rooms.html
Doll by Kristin King, photographed from antique at Lagoon amusement park
Tree of Utah cover
Tree of Utah by Karl Momen, found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphor:_The_Tree_of_Utah
Doll by Kristin King, photographed from antique at Lagoon amusement park
Smoking woman by Nuria Garay Del Barrio, found at 123rf.com
White house cover
Elizabeth Cady Stanton House, found at http://www.nps.gov/ner/photosmultimedia/photogallery.htm?id=1B0E50FF-155D-451F-678AB4570B671E4D
Smoking woman by Nuria Garay Del Barrio, found at 123rf.com
Man on roof cover
Steep Roof, author unknown, found at http://www.wienerberger.com/brands-products/koramic-clay-roof-tiles/projects-and-references/steep-roofs-on-scattered-buildings-make-modern-village.html?lpi=1120659566515
Brother Sharp, found at http://www.china.org.cn/photos/2010-03/03/content_19511630_8.htm
Arches National Park cover
Three Gossips by Sanjay Acharya/ Wikimedia Commons, found at
Woman smoking – Moulin Rouge, by Elen Moulin Rouge(?), found at http://all-free-download.com/free-vector/vector-people/moulin_rouge_40997.html
Kristin Ann King 
