If Matisse or Picasso had grown up surfing, golfing and living in Southern California, they may likely have turned out like Robb Havassy.

For the past decade California artist Robb Havassy has been one of the leading creative voices within the surf culture, having created art and collaborated with many of the surf industry’s biggest brands, most prominent collectors and most impactive environmental and socially conscious non-profit organizations. In addition to HAVASSY's own art-based, signature apparel, the Southern California native's list of collaborations with the major brands in the surf-skate community include work with REEF, OP, HURLEY, GLOBE, Sector 9, HOWE Jeans, Robert August, Surfrider Foundation, SIMA and SURFTECH. The addition of HAVASSY footwear in 2009, an "eco-friendly", signature sandal line, is just another step toward a more socially and environmentally forward lifestyle brand, continually overlapping life with art and art with life.

Next Magazine Cover & story, 2001

In Indo with painted board

First Havassy Collection. spring 2012

Barreled at HT's in Indo

 
Robb painting NY Kiss board

RH test driving his "artist model"
5' 8" at home in Newport Beach
 

As of 2011, fifteen years and more than 2000 paintings and drawings, the success that followed Havassy’s first small scale works has been manifold, garnering him both national and international acclaim. His brilliant use of color as well as his eclectic mix of style, motion and inspirational subject matter has  created numerous avenues to pursue his creativity. Havassy’s art has grown to include not only traditional paintings, but sculpture, fashion design, photography, film, apparel, surfboard design, as well as furniture and architectural design.  In addition to being one of the surf culture’s most celebrated and collected artists, it is his refreshingly original depictions of women, landscapes, flowers, children and animals, that have garnered him the most attention.  Sports portraits are also something Havassy is known for and include epic likenesses of Ben Hogan, Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, to name a few.  Havassy’s work was featured as the official cover art for the 2005 AT&T Pebble Pro-Am, one of PGA golf’s most popular events and one known to have featured some of the world’s most prominent sports artists.

RH and Daughter Marin, Fall 2010

Havassy with Vol.1 of the legendary
"SURF STORY" book

Setting up for the Evolution Art show

Having a passion to make a positive difference in the world, Havassy has balanced his commercial success with a devotion to social and environmental concerns. Over the past decade and as of 2010 Havassy has helped raise more than $200,000 in philanthropic contributions with his continuing support of and collaboration with the Surfrider Foundation, Heal the Bay, Surf Aid International, numerous wildlife preservation groups as well as dozens of other domestic and international non-profit organizations.  For more info: HavassyArt.com, Havassy Art on Facebook SURFSTORYPROJECT.com and SURF STORY PROJECT on Facebook.

Surfing while CA burns
 

Havassy Eco/Art sandal line

RH hand painted surfboards

Robb Havassy on the release of his HAVASSY Signature apparel collection for Spring 2012: "My new collection, like my art, reflects the warmth, passion and freedom of the California lifestyle. I'm inspired by the ocean, surf, people and beauty that surrounds me when I'm home painting and enjoying my time with family and friends or traveling the globe gathering inspiration. This entire collection is built for those like me who are inspired by art, an active lifestyle and whose lives reflect and awareness and sensitivity to socially and environmentally relevant issues. I like to say that my HAVASSY brand is an intersection of art and lifestyle."

Next on the agenda is the opening of a flagship HAVASSY store in Orange County as well the first international HAVASSY store in CHINA. Additionally, the launch of Havassy's signature sangria, SOLGRIA, to go along with a boutique wine collection is expected late 2011/early 2012.(MORE UPDATES SOON.)

Havassy featured in OC mag, 2009