Behold this oldie but goodie from 1979: Musical Mirage. This hypothetical album cover was a fun challenge for me. My concept featured a young couple listening to music and imagining a whimsical fox band performing the songs!

This was my first time working in the square format, using a 12 x 12-inch canvas to match the actual size of a record album. I employed one-point perspective to draw viewers into the scene, with the focal point being the fox drummer at the center. The stereo system, based on my Sansui equipment, was an important element. If you look closely, you’ll notice two 1970s posters on the side walls—a subtle nod to artists Bill Martin and Gage Taylor. The far wall dissolves into an outdoor landscape, where the fox band performs their tunes. In the distance, you’ll see the skyline of my hometown, Madison, Wisconsin. A notable detail is the drummer’s "Mad City" t-shirt, which was popular back then.

Musical Mirage reflects my style at the time, characterized by psychedelic, repeated-pattern brushwork. The painting captures a moment when music and imagination could take you anywhere.