Category: Counterculture

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Pat Ryan & Dave Sheridan Art

Long before medicinal and recreational Cannabis legalization brought branding to the mainstream, Pat Ryan and Dave Sheridan were already laying the creative groundwork for the industry’s visual identity. Working as the California Homegrowers Association, this duo from the Artista Gang collective based in the Emerald Triangle, crafted brilliant cannabis brand parodies spoofing the vintage lithograph style of cigar boxes and produce crates. They weren’t just illustrators; they were underground icons who operated well ahead of their time. I suppose maybe it was like this quotable line from ‘Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie‘: “I figure it this way, dope’s going to be legal in a few years ya know, then, like, then I’ll be, it’ll be a legitimate job, and all these other dudes that aren’t ready for it, they won’t know how to do it, see, and then, like, I’ll have a job man.”

Beyond their collaborations, their solo impact was massive. Dave Sheridan is a legend in underground comix, and Pat Ryan’s portfolio spans from psychedelic posters to deeply moving tributes to the American Indian Movement and Occupation of Alcatraz. Pat Ryan also created legitimate cannabis branding for Mendocino based Martyjuana Farm.

Sheridan left us in 1982 and Ryan in 2022, but their art is immortal. I’ve scanned some of my favorite prints below, but I’ve kept them watermarked to encourage you to buy Pat Ryan’s Sinsemilla Sinsations postcard book. Supporting the work of these creators is vital, so as long as that book is available for purchase, these watermarks stay put to protect the interests of their heirs.

You can use the Archive.org Wayback Machine to view the last/latest snapshot of Pat Ryan’s website here.

– CPX

Pat Ryan & Dave Sheridan

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NC17 Streetwear

NC17, also known as NC-Seventeen, was a counterculture streetwear brand active throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, producing its designs on T-shirts and stickers. The company explored a range of styles, including drug- and sex-themed brand parodies (such as THC), movie and TV spoofs (like Serial Killer), double entendres, and sharp social commentary. NC17 was known for its originality, and in my view, helped pioneer streetwear built around provocative double meanings—designs that often walked the line between obscene and misunderstood.

Here is a collection of NC17 sticker art from my personal archive.

– CPX

WARNING: Contains explicit content

NC17

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Alexander

Active from the 1990s into the early 2000s, Alexander was an influential underground artist whose primary medium involved sticker art and streetwear-focused designs. His work often centered on skateboarding themes and drug-related parodies, frequently featuring a distinctive blue-and-white color scheme. Unfortunately, reliable information about the origins and history of his art is difficult to track down—partly due to the simplicity of the moniker—so it’s unclear whether the artist is still active today.

Here is a collection of Alexander sticker art from my personal archive.

– CPX

Alexander

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Skunk

Founded in the 1990s, Skunk, not to be confused with a recent urban/Hip-Hop inspired streetwear Skunk Wear, was a staple of cannabis-themed streetwear. What made Skunk unique was its brand mascot, you guessed it—a cannabis-consuming skunk; which was often a main focal point and inclusion in its clever satirical designs and parody art. While documented history on the company is frustratingly scarce, the brand’s physical legacy lives on through rare artifacts still circulating in the vintage market.

Here is a collection of Skunk sticker art from my personal archive.

– CPX

Skunk

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THC – Grown in the U.S.A.

During my teenage years I discovered the art of THC in the ‘all-ages’ section of a long running hippie / bohemian store called Greeko’s. Whether they were calling themselves The High Command, Trees Hills Clouds, or Towards Harmonious Civilization, or one of several other backronyms, their work was the ultimate ‘if you know, you know’ for both teenagers and adults in the cannabis scene. It was essentially the cannabis enthusiast’s version of Wacky Packages—brilliant satires of corporate, government, religious, entertainment and everyday products; with a weed-related theme of course.

Started by a guy named Ramsey in the early 90’s Los Angeles county, the THC brand made a lasting impression on my life and influenced my own style of artwork here at CPX.ART. I’ve spent years tracking these stickers down from all over the world. It was a labor of love to provide this comprehensive archive of designs to share.

I’m pleased to share that THC.com is still active and I encourage you to visit the website and show your support for and follow the happenings of this legendary counterculture company.

– CPX

THC