Music is my Drug...Inspiration for life!
LIFE SOUNDTRACK IS IMMENSE, BUT HERE'S A FEW FAVS:
Bob Marley, thievery Corporation, Massive Attack, Zep, Sabbath, Miles, Chet Baker, Billie Holiday, Police, TOOL, Gregory Issaacs, The DEAD, Santana, Jack Johnson, the ROOTS, Notorious BIG, Tribe Called Quest, Groove Armada, the Stones, Morcheeba...ETC!
A former international fashion model for the likes of Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Christian Dior and Armani, Robb Havassy, a graduate of U.C. Irvine with a BA in psychology, began his formal painting career in 1996 after receiving a beginner's art kit as a 26th birthday present. Up until that point, Havassy's artistic expressions had been more or less taking photographs around the world in his travels, and painting his surfboards, but did not really include any formal canvases. Entirely self -taught, his first "traditional" painting was a small surfing portrait of Duke Kahanamoku for photographer and friend Bruce Weber. 12 years and more than 2000 painting's later, the success that followed Havassy's first little watercolor has been manifold, garnering him both national and international acclaim. Highly regarded for his brilliant use of color as well as his eclectic mix of style, motion and inspirational subject matter.
Recently Havassy has begun to showcase his photography as well as a new sculpture series, which has become a new passion for RH.
In addition to being one of the surf culture's most celebrated and collected artist, Havassy's work was featured as the official cover art for last years AT&T Pebble Pro Am of golf, one of PGA golf's most popular events and one known to have featured some of the world's most prominent sports artists.
Cathy Scherzer, Pebble Beach Co.'s director of marketing...
"Robb Havassy's cover art for the 2005 tournament was one of the most popular in the events history."
Additionally, Havassy is highly regarded for his sports portraits of the likes of Ben Hogan, Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Though, it is his refreshingly original depictions of women, landscapes, flowers, children and animals that have garnered him the most attention. "To have created a truly unique and recognizable style in an era where "knock-offs" are commonplace, is an achievement in and of itself. Robb has managed both in a very short time.
The Southern California native's list of collaborations with brands in the surf-skate community include work with Reef, Op, HURLEY, GLOBE, O'Neill, Sector 9, NVOHK, HOWE Jeans, Robert August, and SURFTECH.
The recent launch of the HAVASSY "eco-friendly", signature sandal line, is just another step forward toward a more socially and environmentally forward lifestyle, continually overlapping life with a art and vice versa...
"ART 4 LIFe" is pretty much how I live...I can't really separate the two...that's what being an artist is really about."
"I wanted to take a great idea and make it even better," says Havassy. "The concept and design of my footwear is creatively similar to the sandals I did with Reef, updated with eco-friendly bio-foam, with improvement in the design."
The Havassy Eco/Art sandal line is one in a long list of unique ways "RH" has mixed art and life...Havassy's "artist series" of skateboards with Sector 9 has been more of the most popular editions in the legendary skate brands history.
The new "Havassy Art model" surfboard with ROBERT AUGUST surfboards is one of the most simple, beautiful and versatile waveriding vehicles ever. The basic model is a 5 ft. 8 in., by 20 in. wide hybrid, "rocket fish" inspired, hand-shaped beauty...The "Cola-Cola colored" model features a "fire-engine red" resin tint and a white hand-painted Havassy signature Sun/SOL, which wraps from bottom to top...No less than 6 artisans collaborated to produce each and every one of these..."I think one of the coolest and most beautiful single features on the board is the mahogany/resin tinted tail block...it's one of the keys to why this the modern swallowtail is so amazing."
"The goal in creating this shape was to make the 'ultimate' wave riding machine...a board that you could rip and flow on mushy slow waves, could handle some juice and a more powerful wave, as well as riding the tube like a dream."
"To say that we succeeded is an understatement...this board is all that and more...The decision for those who've purchased this collector's item is whether to put it on the wall or surf on it. As a literal piece of art it works both ways, but in my opinion it's made to surf...It's pretty much all I ride anymore, and after having one of the greatest tube-riding sessions of my life earlier this year at Witch's Rock, by myself on it, I don't really need to ride anything else...I love it!" This "Havassy" model will be available as a Surftech model in spring 2009.
A recent collabaration with American Vines has brought a wine into the Havassy realm. The new "Las Olas" wine features Havassy's famous "Sunset Surfers" on it's label. The partnership between Havassy and American Vines will soon see the launch of Havassy's own "sangria" beverage called "Solgria", which is based on the wine and juice beverage Havassy has been serving at art exhibitions, and parties for almost a decade.
Like any responsible surfer/artist, Havassy has balanced his commercial success with a devotion to enviornmental concerns. Over the past decade, Havassy has helped raise more than $100,000 in philanthropic contributions with his continuing support of and collaboration with the Surfrider Foundation, Heal the Bay, Surf Aid International, in addition to dozens of other international non-profit organizations dedicated to social and environmental causes.
"One of the latest and most exciting ventures that I working on is a massive project called "SURF STORY."
SURF STORY is a book/exhibition/film including art and surf stories by more than 70 surfers/artists/writers/icons from the culture. SURF STORY is scheduled to open summer 2009. The book and exhibition will feature the largest collection of surf art and surf stories ever presented. The 300+ page hard-cover coffee table book will contain more than 200 pieces of surf art, and over 150 surf stories from an incredible list of contributors including:
SURF STORY Surfer/Artists: Ken Auster, Chris Lundy, Sandow Birk, Michael Knowlton, Mike Doyle, Kevin Ancell, Robb Havassy, Meegan Feori, Shawn Griggs, Rick Rietveld, Russell Crotty, Ben Brough "33", Céline Chat, CR Stecyk, Alex Weinstein, Chris Pederson, Spencer Reynolds, Alan Casagrande, Damian Fulton, Mike Losness, Shannon McIntyre, Vanessa Janss, REMI BERTOCHE, Frank Errickson, Gaston Locklear, Ned Evans, David Lloyd, John Severson, Patrick Parker, Drew Brophy, Wade Koniakowsky, Jay Alders, Aubrey Falk, Kevin Short, Pete Tillack, Scott Szegeski, Charlie Clingman, Heather Brown, Steven Chew "Sli Dawg", Matt Beard, Jesse Miller, Herbie Fletcher, Noia, Bill Ogden, Peter Thorne, Steve Bojoroquez, Peter Pierce, Ron Croci, Mike Lorenzini, Karim Rejeb.
***Plus Surf Story contributors: Noah Johnson, Wingnut, Joel Tudor, Drew Kampion, Rochelle Ballard, Chris Ahrens, Aamion Goodwin & Daize Shayne, Greg Escalante, Jamie Brisick, Pat O'Connell, Mary Osbourne, Darren "Ithaka" Pappas, Peter Townend, Timmy Reyes, Cody Graham, Herbie Fletcher, Peter Mel, Robert and Sam August, Sam George, Art Brewer, Tom Servais, Gordon McClelland.
"The SURF STORY is what the whole culture is built on...we all have our own. It doesn't matter who your are or how well or often you surf...great stories just happen....This project is just one large, multi-media view into the tradition.
The inspiration for the SURF STORY project came during Havassy's two year legal battle with apparel giant Abercrombie & Fitch/Hollister, where in A&F made 350+ unauthorized replicas of one of Havassy's painted surfboard adorned with his art and to Havassy shock, his "RH" signature as well. The surfboards were placed in the front of every Hollister store in the country since 2001, in order to help them brand themselves as an "authentic" surf company...all this without ever asking permission. "They had no right to create or use my art. Considering the I would NEVER collaborate with a company who is notorious for it's theft of legit pieces of the authentic surf culture I decided to engaged them legally...
As of summer 2008, the copyright infringement lawsuit is finally coming to an end after Havassy finally agreed to a settlement deal after a two year legal battle..."It was time to stop putting energy into the all the negativity associated with the lawsuit. I wanted to focus on more positive ideas and realized that the only ones truly happy in this were A&F's lawyers"...Terms of this settlement are confidential.
During my lawsuit with Hollister/A&F I had alot of kind words of support coming from within the surf industry...
Dick baker, CEO of OP and SIMA president...
"Robb is both an amazing artist and true waterman, as he reflects the authenticity and soul of the sport thru his creative work....He is a legend in the world of surf art and his work has been an integral partof the lifestyle of the sport."
SIMA director Sean Smith...
"It goes without saying that Robb is a very talented artist and that his work is absolutely stunning," said Sean Smith, executive director of the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA). "We are doubly blessed in that Robb is not only talented, but also a passionate surfer who cares about the ocean."
Make plans to head out to Edinburg for Acension, this Friday June 19th! Our last rave we reached capacity and had close to 2000 people before 2am!! Ascension starts at 10pm and will go on till 5am. This is going to be a massive party you do NOT want to miss out on!
Texas beaches need your help. Last week state Rep. Wayne Christian pulled a sly move in the legislature and created an exception to the Texas Open Beaches Act that allows him and his neighbors on Bolivar Peninsula to build houses on the PUBLIC BEACH.
This is bad news.
We have a campaign to convince Texas Governor Rick Perry to veto this bad bill.
This is very simple and your email could make the difference.
Hi from France. Hope everything is fine for you. Beautiful art you do ! I wish you a nice day, take care & see U later. Respect, Jam Huon.(From African Inspiration, made in Card board by myself).
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