Sketches and sobs: the story of Ed Sheeran's 'Autumn Variations' cover art
Zoë Radas
STACK Writer
This time around we're going contemporary for our Art of the Album segment, as we're so taken with the cover of Ed Sheeran's 2023 gem 'Autumn Variations'.
The artwork was created by Scarlett Curtis, an English writer, activist and journalist who – according to Ed – loves to create personalised posters for friends' birthdays, filled with little illustrations of all of the person's favourite things. How cute is that?!
"I've always loved them," Ed has said of Curtis's birthday gifts. "I asked her to start drawing Autumn-themed things and compiling them, so we could make a cover for [the album]."
On her part, Curtis was stoked as a roaring fireplace to participate in Ed's vision. "About a year ago one of my favorite people on the planet asked me to draw him an album cover," she wrote on Instagram just after the artwork's reveal in August.
Above: Autumn Variations cover artist Scarlett Curtis
"I didn’t really think it would ever happen, but then it did, and I have spent all day sobbing at the announcement of [Autumn Variations]. It’s my favourite of his albums / any album, and just being a small part of this magical thing has meant more to me than anyone will ever understand."
Leave it to Ed to show us that the real birthday present is, of course, the friends we made along the way.
Autumn Variations by Ed Sheeran drops via Warner.
fall into the season of sheeran
^Discounts apply to previous ticketed/advertised price prior to the discount offer. As we negotiate, products will likely have been sold below ticketed/advertised price prior to the discount offer. Prices may differ at airport stores.