Six Years of Secret 7”

I have always drawn inspiration from music. To visualize music is a small gesture of thanks.

When I was a kid, I took piano lessons. I did it for about as long as it takes to realize how difficult playing and reading music is. I find it extremely difficult. Whatever I played never seemed to add up to the music I loved to listen to. Opposite to music is drawing, which came naturally to me. I wasn't always good at it, but it was easy for me to sink countless hours into a drawing. As I grew older and equipped with my trusty mp3 player, music put me in a state of focus to draw.

Appreciation for music, musicians, and the creative process that connects the maker and their output are mysterious and alluring to me. It's no surprise then, that I frequently collaborate with musicians. It's rare, however, to direct this appreciation to bigger causes. A group of music industry veterans are changing that with a project called Secret 7". Each year they take 700 pieces of art, press unique covers for 7 popular singles, and sell them in a month long exhibition. The sales go to a different charity each year. This year's charity is Help Refugees.

I've been participating in Secret 7" since 2013. In addition to the stated benefits, each year has afforded me the opportunity to learn about new music and new drawing techniques. The track I made a cover for, Toast by Koffee, is upbeat and celebratory. In the cover (pictured above) are soft-serve ice cream, confetti, and a champagne glass. The techniques I used to realize this pay homage to brand studies conducted by Universal Everything for AOL a decade ago. I'm grateful for the space Secret 7" creates and recommend checking out their online gallery which was recently published.

Here is to all musicians everywhere,

—Jono