The original artwork is based on the portrait of Hunter S. Thompson was created for Thompson's book 'The Curse of Lono' (1983), which chronicles the time Hunter and Ralph spent in Hawaii in 1980, at the Honolulu marathon for 'Running' magazine.



With Hunter's girlfriend, Laila Nabulsi, and Ralph's wife Anna and daughter, Sadie, together they weathered storms and hurricanes, fished for sharks and tested the wrath of the great god, Lono.

In the portrait, Steadman caught a more contemplative side of his friend. The conte crayon, a departure from his usual pen and ink "filthy scribblings" allowed a gentler line, and freer, spontaneous reaction to the usually abrasive, and taciturn author.



The print was developed in close collaboration with Ralph and his daughter Sadie and displays unusual characteristics: the hand sliced paper which echoes drawing board pin tears on the original and the use of PG Tips tea to create the unique finish of the original.