Don Ivan Punchatz: Bermuda Triangle

Don Punchatz passed away a few years ago and we're all a lot poorer for it. Don doesn't get the recognition he deserves and that's a shame. He was one of the giants in illustration during the 1960s-early '80s and worked for everyone: Time, Playboy, Exxon, Paramount, Ballantine, etc., etc. Don originally wanted to be a comic artist and attended the SVA with Nick Meglin and Angelo Torres, but he was discouraged from comics and strongly steered to an illustration career by Burne Hogarth. Punchatz was among the first illustrators who proved you could have a career without living in NYC. His Sketchpad Studio was a training ground for such artists as Gary Panter, Roger Stine, and Mike Presley among many others. Plus, jeez, he was the greatest, friendliest guy you'd ever want to meet. His son Gregor is a top-notch SFX artist.

Anyway, this is Don's wrap-around cover for the 1978 electronic music album by Tomita, BERMUDA TRIANGLE.

Acrylic on mylar. 30"x17.5".