Can cover artists read?

Cover artists are quickly becoming the bane of my existence. Perhaps someone can tell me how the whole process works, because sadly I must say that I do not know. If I had to guess, I would say that either:

A) The cover artists read the book and then create a cover (apparently not likely)

or

B) Someone tells the cover artist (author, publisher, publicist?) what they would like to see on the cover of a book.

So...how the hell do they get it SO WRONG?

I like tasteful covers, I like landscape covers, I can even understand (if I'm not crazy about) covers featuring representations of the characters, but I expect the details to be right! Especially when talking about the characters. I don't use the cover models as the representation of the characters in my mind, but they start the basis for my mental picture. I even find myself referring back to the picture multiple times during my reading to reinforce my mental image. So why do authors let representations get so far off the mark?

I am not going to bash the titles/cover artists/authors, but let me just tell you...

Two weeks ago I read a book in which the herione has light brown hair. Cover model herione has...yep, blonde! WTF?!?

One week ago, I read a novel where the h/h are in a love scene and she runs her hands through the hair on his chest. Cover model hero has...yep, shaved, smooth chest! WTF?!?

And yesterday, I finish a novel where the cover model herione is pictured wearing a red dress. What's the big deal you ask? The DEAD WIFE's signature color was red! WTF?!?

Arrrgggggggg.

...Fiona...