Blotter art: originally was an art form printed on perforated sheets of absorbent blotting paper infused with liquid LSD. The delivery method gained popularity after banning the hallucinogen LSD in the late 1960s. Graphics on blotter sheets originated as an underground art form in the early 1970s, sometimes to help identify the dosage, maker, or batch of LSD. Blotter art frequently incorporates themes common to psychedelic art, using bright, contrasting colors and repeating patterns in its designs. Cartoon characters were often exhibited, and many examples contain religious and mystical imagery or pay homage to figures in the psychedelia subculture.

The Photographer: Herb Greene took the concept of real LSD Blotter and printed some of his most iconic images on blotter paper without adding LSD! Herb moved to the San Francisco Bay area in the 1960’s. He ended up in the Haight Asbury neighborhood, teaming up with hippies and musicians. One day, he met Jerry Garcia at a bluegrass café, and the two became friends. Greene booked a portrait session with Garcia’s band, The Warlocks, later renamed the Grateful Dead. Greene became friends with many of the era’s musicians and photographed many. 

Jerry Garcia: From Annabelle Garcia’s Facebook page: “This is the United States flag that has been in our family for at least 50 years. It hung on the wall in the iconic 1964 pictures that Herbie Greene took of Jerry and his banjo. Our mom said that Jer had it when they moved in together back then, but doesn’t know where he originally got it. This flag has seen a few amazing things. It hasn’t felt the light of day in many years and it was calling out to be waved and remembered. The shared history of this flag and our family could not have happened in any other country.”

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