Rick Griffin: Life and Art of a Psychedelic Pioneer
Explore the legendary career of Rick Griffin, from California surf culture and Murphy comics to iconic Grateful Dead posters and underground comix.
RICK GRIFFIN
Life & Art of a Psychedelic Pioneer
1944 – 1991
Early Life & Surf Roots
Born June 18, 1944, near Palos Verdes, California
Grew up immersed in Southern California surf culture
Started surfing at age 14 at Torrance Beach
Father's amateur archaeology exposed him to Native American artifacts
Comics like MAD Magazine inspired his rebellious artistic style
Drew surfer cartoons at Nathaniel Narbonne High School
Murphy & Surfer Magazine
In 1961, Griffin created the beloved "Murphy" comic strip for Surfer Magazine
Murphy: a lovable, wide-eyed surfer kid character that became iconic in surf culture
Griffin became Surfer's official staff cartoonist
A 1963 car crash scarred his face and shifted his artistic style toward denser, more psychedelic imagery
1964–1966: attended Chouinard Art Institute (now CalArts)
Met his future wife Ida Pfefferle and artist-musician group the Jook Savages
Attended Ken Kesey's famous Acid Tests
SAN FRANCISCO
& THE PSYCHEDELIC EXPLOSION
1966: Relocated to San Francisco
1967: Designed posters for the Human Be-In at Golden Gate Park
Created concert posters for Chet Helms' Family Dog / Avalon Ballroom
Also designed for Bill Graham's Fillmore concert series
One of the "Big Five" psychedelic poster artists
Produced over 100 concert posters
Used Rapidograph pens and three-color lithography
THE FLYING EYEBALL
An Iconic Symbol
Created in 1968 for a Jimi Hendrix concert poster (BG-105)
The Flying Eyeball: a winged flaming eyeball — surreal and instantly recognizable
Became one of the most collected concert posters in history
Now in museum collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Blended Griffin's surf imagery with psychedelic surrealism
Defined the visual language of the 1960s counterculture
THE GRATEFUL DEAD
& UNDERGROUND COMIX
Founding member of Zap Comix from 1968 (issues #2–14)
Contributed to Snatch Comics, Tales from the Tube, Man from Utopia
Blended surrealism with counterculture themes in comics
Designed the iconic Grateful Dead Aoxomoxoa album cover (1969)
Jerry Garcia praised the cover's psychedelic authenticity
Designed Rolling Stone magazine's original lettering/logo
Created multiple Grateful Dead concert posters through the 1970s–80s
FAITH, ART & LATER YEARS
<strong>Spiritual Awakening:</strong> In 1970, Griffin became a born-again Christian, deeply transforming his artistic themes.
<strong>Biblical Illustration:</strong> Illustrated Maranatha! Music's <em>Gospel of John</em> with punk-infused resurrection imagery.
<strong>Evolving Aesthetics:</strong> Moved to San Clemente, blending surf painting with Christian fine art (e.g., <em>"Sail on Sailor"</em>).
<strong>Secular & Sacred:</strong> Continued Grateful Dead art into the 80s, while his faith profoundly influenced his visual language with divine light and spiritual symbolism.
Remained connected to surf culture throughout his life
LEGACY OF A VISIONARY
Died August 18, 1991 (age 47) from injuries in a motorcycle crash
Ashes scattered at his beloved "Mystos" surf spot
Influenced generations of artists including Roger Dean and Mark Wilkinson
Work collected in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and MoMA
2025: Collaborations with Levi's, Dr. Martens, and Hurley
Dead & Co. used his art as tour backdrops
Book "Heart and Torch" (2007) documents his transcendent career
His art bridges surf culture, psychedelia, underground comix and spiritual art
Surfer. Cartoonist. Psychedelic Visionary. Spiritual Artist.
- rick-griffin
- psychedelic-art
- grateful-dead
- surf-culture
- concert-posters
- underground-comix
- flying-eyeball