Saving Rick Griffin

Griffin Mural, a priceless piece being saved from the landfill. Saving Rick Griffin With just 24 hours before a bulldozer is due to destroy two previously unknown murals by surf artist Rick Griffin, two old fans organize a rescue effort Photos and Words by: Joe Knoernschild A few Sundays ago, after a fun session at Haggs, I checked my cell phone for voicemails and there’s one from my good friend Mac McKnight. Mac’s a general building contractor. “Hey Joe, you might want to check out a home here in PV that is due to be demolished this week. There’s some art high up on two of the bedrooms walls that is signed Rick Griffin, 1960.’ I’ve been a huge fan of Rick’s art since the mid-1960s. Many a RG poster was up on my bedroom wall. One I am stoked to still have is his “The Creator Slow Moving Maintains His Creations as Vortices,” illustrating Van Morrison’s album These Mystic Eyes. In 1969, I sent my $1.50 to Surfer and eagerly awaited the postman. A shout of “Yowza” went up when the poster finally arrived. The poster still graces my bedroom wall. Griffin Art before the artist worked with Greg Noll and Surfer Magazine. Griffin died in 1991 from an accident on his Harley. I call my wife…

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