Born in Southern California on December 2, 1969.[1] Robb Havassy has always had a connection with the ocean, for the first 17 years of his life he lived 45 minutes inland in Arcadia, Ca. He then moved to Newport, Ca. to be closer to the ocean. He started surfing when he was about 17 years old, although his first time on a surfboard was when he was 8 in Waikiki, Hawaii on a big red longboard. Since then he’s always been enthusiastic about wave riding and had a strong love for the ocean. Robb Havassy is mostly known for his depictions of women, landscapes, flowers, children and animals as well as his sports portraits of Ben Hogan, Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.[2]
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Before ever becoming an artist, Robb was a international fashion model for the likes of Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Christian Dior and Armani,[3] he modeled from 1982–2002,[4] he didn’t began his formal painting career until 1996 after receiving a beginner’s art kit as a 26th birthday present. Up until that point Havassy’s only artistic expression was in his photographs of his travels around the world and his surfboards.[5] His art was originally discovered by a talent scout in Newport Beach when he was 17. A few years later he contacted the talent scout, took some photos and hired an agent.[6]
In 1996, On Robb's 26th birthday, he was given a beginners art kit by two close friends, at first he was a little confused as to what to do with, but he quickly learned. Robb claims to have always known that he always had the soul of an artist and thought like an artist but he never thought that he would become an artist,[7] his first "traditional" painting was a small surfing portrait of Duke Kahanamoku for photographer and friend Bruce Weber, before that he painted his first surfboard in 1989.[8]
12 years and more than 2,000 paintings later, Robb has been highly regarded for his "eclectic mix of style, motion and inspirational subject matter."[9] Robb's work was also featured as the official cover art for the 2005 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.[10] Cathy Scherzer Pebble Beach Co.'s director of marketing said that “"Robb Havassy's cover art for the 2005 tournament was one of the most popular in the events history.”[11] Robb has created a truly unique and recognizable style for himself that has also nabbed him work with Reef, Op, HURLEY, Surfrider Foundation, GLOBE, Sector 9, NVOHK, HOWE Jeans, Robert August, SIMA and SURFTECH, etc..
Robb has also began to take another step forward towards " a more socially and environmentally forward lifestyle" with the recent launch of the HAVASSY "eco-friendly signature sandal line. "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, along with improvement in the design." This is just one example as to how Robb has mixed art and life. Robb also has an "artist series" of skateboards with Sector 9 and now he is working on the new "Havassy Art model" surfboard with Robert August surfboards, the surfboards basic model is a 5 ft. 8 in., by 20 in. wide hybrid, "rocket fish" inspired. Robb and Robbert August say that "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." This "Havassy" model will be available as a Surftech model in spring 2009.[12]
Havassy has also been closely involved with the Surfrider Foundation, SIMA (Surf Industry Manufacturers Association), and Heal the Bay for much of the past decade, having help raise eco-awareness and close to $50,000 with his art donations, with Havassy's total donations being closer to $100,000.[13]
Last year, Havassy along with REEF created a special edition surf art poster for Tsunami Relief, with 100% of the proceeds going to Surf Aid International. To date it has raised over $15,000 for the ongoing Indonesian relief effort.[14]
Robb had a 2 year long legal battle with the apparel giant Abercrombie & Fitch, the owner of the Hollister Co. clothing store chain. Abercrombie & Fitch had 350+ unauthorized replicas of one of Robb's painted surfboard adorned with his art and to Robb's surprise his "RH" signature as well. The boards were placed in front of every Hollister store in the country since 2001, in order to help them brand themselves as an "authentic" surf company, all without ever asking for Robb's permission.[15] Robb stated that "They had no right to create or use my art. Considering the I would NEVER collaborate with a company who is notorious for its unauthorized "use" of legit pieces of the authentic surf culture"[16] As of the summer of 2008 the copyright infringement lawsuit is finally coming to an end after Robb agreed to have settlement deal, "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, should I take this to trial and fight on for years, were A&F's lawyers" the terms of the settlement are confidential.[17]