Wes Wilson
Robert Wesley Wilson (July 15, 1937 – January 24, 2020) was an American artist and one of the leading designers of psychedelic posters. Best known for designing posters for Bill Graham of The Fillmore in San Francisco, he invented a style that is now synonymous with the peace movement, the psychedelic era and the 1960s. In particular, he was known for inventing and popularizing a "psychedelic" font around 1966 that made the letters look like they were moving or melting. His style was heavily influenced by the Art Nouveau movement. Wilson was considered to be one of "The Big Five" San Francisco poster artists, along with Alton Kelley, Victor Moscoso, Rick Griffin, and Stanley Mouse. Early life and education Robert Wesley Wilson was born on July 15, 1937, in Sacramento, California. He was raised in rural northern California by his mother. He had a stint in the military after graduating high school. Moving to San Francisco, he put himself through college by working at a small printing press. Attending San Francisco State College to study philosophy and religion, he later dropped out to support his young family. Career First publishing company Early in his career in San Francisco, he lived