FREEHAND The Art of Stanley Mouse Text and Illustrations by Mouse Introduction by Joel Selvin Foreword by Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead

The unforgettable images of artistic genius Stanley Mouse,
from "Monster Cars" to Grateful Dead posters.

Stanley Mouse is responsible for some the most enduring and best loved images to emerge from the counterculture of the '60s. Mouse's art captured the decade's pop look and was instrumental in linking the art scene to the music, the other major art form of the '60s generation.

Best known for his posters and album covers, Mouse created art for the Beatles, Eric Clapton, Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Journey and, of course, the Grateful Dead. His Book of Dreams album cover for The Steve Miller Band earned a Grammy Award for Best Graphic Art in 1977.

His work for the Grateful Dead is probably his most memorable art. With Alton Kelly, he designed the Dead's "skull and roses" emblem as well as many of their most famous posters including the "Blue Rose" poster of the closing of Winterland.

Freehand is a major retrospective of this gifted artist's work. Along with his music artwork this beautifully printed book shows over 125 full color images including his early "Monster Car" paintings--described by one critic as a cross between Mad Magazine and Paul Klee--and his famous creation the Zig Zag Man. This is not merely a catalog of Mouse's famed poster art but a comprehensive look at his artistic roots and the full flower of his genius including joint works with Alton Kelly and Rick Griffin and stories from Mouse, Mickey Hart and others.

"When I think of Stanley Mouse, I think of his open-eyed fascination with the world around him...if I were to pick a half a dozen of the definitive 1960s people, Stanley would be one of them."    Bill Graham

"MouseArt makes my heart say, "Cheese!"    Howard Hesseman

"Stanley Mouse drew the face on rock music."    Joel Selvin, San Francisco Chronicle

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