I've always loved Rick Griffin's art since I was about 13. To have it all in a book, after all these years, is great. Since I also draw, I now realize how his art influenced me. I'd say he was great and this is a beautiful, inspiring, and defining collection. I'm stoked.

Heart and Torch - Rick Griffin is a good book to have your library is you are a Rick Griffin fan and want a history on him and his work. Some redundancy, but worth the buy.

Anyone interested in the life and art of Rick Griffin, or in psychedelia in general, must purchase this book.

I'd seen much of this art, but there was a great deal of his early work I had not seen before, and it is all compiled here and looks great.

The text is excellent as well, with a detailed biography of Rick, and testimonials from those in the art world, the comix community and the 60s California music scene who knew him and worked with him.

Great stuff - we miss you Rick!

I have been a Fan of the Amazing Talents of Rick Griffin since 1969, when I first layed eyes on the Cover of Zap Comix, Number 3. The First Collection of his Work was published by Paper Tiger Books in 1980, and that Book has always been a Favorite of mine.

This Brand New Collection: "Heart And Torch", from The Laguna Art Museum, is just as impressive as Paper Tiger Edition. Printed on Heavy Stock Art Paper, it is Overflowing with Work from all Phases of Rick's life. From the images of Murphy The Surfer that appeared in Surfer Magazine whilst Rick was still a teenager to Posters of San Francisco Music and happenings from 1966-1980's. Covers for early editions of Rolling Stone Magazine in the late 60's. Album Covers for The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Hunter and Man.

What set Rick apart from his fellow Graphic Illustrators such as R.Crumb and Stanley Mouse was his Fantastic Vision to really get Far Out There with a very Good Third Eye {And while all this happened on our Planet, Rick only had a single Eye to see from!}. This Artist did not 'See' Boundaries in Art, his imagination could not be Locked-Down or Controlled to the Rules of the Medium, he Expanded Worlds and wasn't Trapped in them.

The "Flying Eyeball" Poster for a Jimi Hendrix/John Mayall Concert at The Filmore West in 1968, alone would have made Rick's career, But...there is so much more. He created new languages in his Art, such as for The Grateful Dead's Album Cover {1969] Aoxomoxia, that for many of us Defines, The Sixties in San Francisco as THE Piece of Art. When Rick would draw his own image he usually gave himself a "Third Eye", and I believe this is perfectly correct as the Man always saw something that the rest of us would miss, this Book tells his Story in Words and Pictures and it is indeed a "Transcendence".

The most Perfect way to enjoy Rick Griffin, outside of this book would be for you to find a copy of: "Tales From The Tube" his 1973 Comix Book. For me it's a Peak and a Crest, in a Life filled with water and skies. This Comix explains where Rick was coming from and shows where he was headed, it is simply amazing.

If you see a Poster in the Skies above you, I'll bet you it is Rick, still creating his Wonderful Art in the Heavens...FIVE STARS !!!

I collect Rick's art. I've loved it since I first saw it on album covers and in SURFER magazine in the 60's. I had the pleasure of visiting his studio, and speaking to him several times. He was a passonate man, and his art reflects his passions: God, surfing, rock and roll, and the psychedelic experience. This book tells and shows of his journey better than any previous efforts. If you like Rick's art, you will love this book.