Owsley Stanley

Pen Ink Prismacolor 13 x 13 inches 2019

Artist Note

Owsley Stanley is a psychedelic recording of the creative spirit behind the legendary sound engineer and clandestine chemist of the Grateful Dead. In this visual journal his portrait is enshrined within a giant sun that floats above a melting mountain horizon representing the heat and intensity of the era he helped ignite. Below a psychedelic seascape reveals water that separates into playful fibers while colorful creatures jump between the shifting waves. Owsley’s face vibrates with the warmth of the sun as it begins to melt into the celestial light while his hair and jacket are filled with the deep reaches of galaxies and stars. Scattered throughout this vibrant beach setting are the famous Grateful Dead Bears that Owsley is credited with creating. These iconic figures are shown skydiving and hot air ballooning and surfing to represent the adventurous and free spirit of the sixties generation. This work serves as a testament to a man who didn't just record music but captured the very frequency of a movement. It is a map for the seekers and the deadheads who understand that the universe is not just something we watch but something we playfully inhabit.