LSD Blotter Art originally took off in the 70s. Tiny squares of paper, innocuously displayed a caricature, cartoon or fantastical scenery which held more than art – it held Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD); that psychedelic drug that blossomed in the 60’s with the help from many mindful visionaries of the time, like: Ken Kesey, Timothy Leary and many others.
Though, did you know why paper was used to transport the drug?
Why Use Paper Art for LSD?
Because sentencing for drug charges was linked to the weight of what you were caught carrying, passing psychedelics through sheets of paper initially came about as a way to ensure that dealers would face minimum sentencing –– the lighter the object, the lesser the consequence.
The blotter paper quickly became a new canvas for artists, as a way for dealers to put their own mark on their batches. The art had hidden information about things like dosage and the strength of the strain. As the artform and the method became more popular, many artists tapped into the psychedelic world and created these miniature masterpieces, which have now become highly collected pieces of art.
Prominent Collectors of LSD Blotter Art
Alice Through the Looking Glass By Mark McCloud
Mark McCloud is famously known as the first person to collect blotter artwork for art’s sake. With over 33,000 sheets in his inventory, his collection is known globally as “The Institute of Illegal Images.” He has faced two charges for possession –– and has somehow been acquitted both times. As an artist himself, he is also well-known for his own pieces of renowned blotter art.
The Captain – Red Roses By Herb Greene
The world of psychedelic artists saw a rise in the 70s. Creators like Alex Grey and Reverend Samual were known for their blotter art, specifically. Although, other artists who made art without intending it for blotters — such as R. Crumb and Stanley Mouse — also quickly became famous for their comic work that was easy to appropriate and distribute with LSD.
Though we don’t know if the art still contains LSD (as its shelf-life is pretty durable under the right conditions) but wouldn’t it be groovy to find out if it is still viable?
Recently, artist Frank Kozik recently released a new limited edition blotter work, featuring his well-known Acid Kid image (image above).
