A vow is a binding promise, made with the intention of holding fast. As an illustration of this we have a reef knot, an ancient and simple binding knot commonly used by sailors. The artwork is part of a series of knot paintings by British-Australian artist Brian MacShane. See the whole series. (My colleague Clare Stober has the story behind the new logo that appears for the first time on this cover.)

Another View

Tony Abeyta is a contemporary Diné (Navajo) artist, the son of the painter Narcisso Abeyta. He earned an associate degree in fine arts at the Institute of American Indian Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Abeyta’s heritage is reflected in his artwork, which is especially focused on expressing the spiritual aspects of life. See more of his work here.

Back Cover

“There is one thrill that is known only to the soldier who fights for his own flag, to the ascetic who starves himself for his own illumination, to the lover who makes finally his own choice. And it is this transfiguring self-discipline that makes the vow a truly sane thing.”
—G. K. Chesterton