In 1971 Venosa was asked to design the ABRAXAS album cover - which he did in collaboration with Mati Klarwein - as well as the SANTANA lettering, which, besides winning numerous design awards, has become one of the most recognized logos worldwide.
In 1978 Carlos Santana asked Venosa to do the cover art for his first solo album, Silver Dreams, Golden Reality and, more recently, the logo design for Guts and Grace, Santana's own record company.
Carlos Santana, SILVER DREAMS & GOLDEN REALITY
- Carlos Santana, Venosa, L.A. exhibit, 1991 -
Being Colorado neighbors - Venosa in Boulder, and Kitaro 10 miles away in Gold Hill - the two met at Kitaro's annual birthday bash striking up a friendship and a working association which included Venosa doing the cover art for the Mandala CD.
Kitaro, MANDALA
Kitaro, Venosa, Spain, 1994
In all, Venosa has designed more than 50 album covers for a number of labels,
including CBS/Columbia, Blue Note, and Mercury, among others. A few are shown here.
Cynic, FOCUS
J.Goldman, DOLPHIN DREAMS
EAST OF GIDEON
Star Edwards, ARC OF PROMISE
Masao Maki, CHILDHOOD DREAM
