GRATEFUL DEAD - Artist Proof #10/10

This work is inspired by my connection with the wonderful crew at Warner Records and discussions about storytelling and music that are passed down from generation to generation. The past few years have been an exciting journey into the music of the Grateful Dead and the world connections we have as artists. This is about the family of humankind, male and female. The four figures of males and females represent the family in the four directions of the world. The drum is the instrument of the healer and is the heartbeat of life. The click sticks are the oldest musical instrument of mankind. Some old ones used the radius of an ancestor as a click stick to beat time for the songs, the stories from our ancestors.

The Raven in a circle speaks to the story of the trickster and creator from the Pacific Northwest. Raven is also in stories around the world. The totems are entrance totems, and when you step through the portal you connect to the people inside and their songs and stories handed down from the ancestors. Every potlatch is a celebration in songs and dances connecting us to our ancestors.

When you are standing in the strength, truth, and beauty of who you are, the ancestors on the other side are speaking excitedly to each other and remarking that you may be the one who carries on the strength, truth, and beauty of your lineage, I believe they are the Grateful Dead.

The central part of this image is one of the designs Roy created for the now-famous PACIFIC NORTHWEST ’73-’74: The Complete Recordings release. The Grateful Dead Treasure Box features this image on the lid of the box.