Artist in Residence – Richele Forgét

Richele Forgét (for-jay) is a 25-year-old artist and novel cover designer based in Springfield, Missouri. Born and raised in the heart of the United States, she discovered her passion for visual storytelling during her childhood in the Midwest, where the vast landscapes and changing seasons fueled her imagination. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design/Technology/Stage Management from Missouri State University. After graduation, Richele honed her skills in digital and traditional media, blending vibrant colors, intricate details, and narrative depth to create captivating book covers that draw readers in at first glance.

Specializing in scifi, fantasy, romance, and mystery genres, Richele’s work has graced the covers of several local indie novels and emerging authors, earning praise for her evocative atmospheres and character-driven designs. Her portfolio includes collaborations with self-published writers on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, where her covers have helped boost sales and visibility.

When not immersed in her home studio, Richele draws inspiration from local art scenes, hiking in the Ozarks with her husband, Jacob, and exploring local folklore, all of which infuse her art with a unique blend of whimsy and realism. Committed to helping fellow creators, she also mentors young artists through local workshops, sharing tips on digital tools like Affinity Designer and Blender. Richele is poised to expand her reach in the publishing world, dreaming of one day illustrating for major houses while staying rooted in her Springfield community. She has joined Wooden Hook Studios as an artist-in-residence.

Find her on X.com here and her new Instagram here.