Career
He then moved to Newport Beach, California, 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 eight in Waikiki, Hawaii, on a longboard. Robb Havassy is 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.
Before becoming an artist, Robb was an international fashion model for the likes of Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Christian Dior and Armani, he modeled from 1982–2002, he did not 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. He was 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. In 1996, on Robb"s 26th birthday, he was given a beginners art kit by two friends.
In 2005, Hollister Company created 360 unauthorized knockoffs of signed Robb Havassy surfboards for use as decoration in their stores.
After litigation, Havassy collected an undisclosed amount as damages from Hollister. In his book, Havassy writes of the incident "lieutenant"s about how cool it is to be a surfer – and how a billion dollar company put their hands on lieutenant They got called on lieutenant"
Robb"s work was featured as the official cover art for the 2005 American Telephone & Telegraph Company Pebble Pro Am of golf, one of Professional Golf Association golf"s most popular events.
Cathy Scherzer Pebble Beach Company"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.” Robb worked for Reef, Op, Hurley, Surfrider Foundation, Globe, Sector 9, NVOHK, Howe Jeans, Robert August, SIMA and Sirftech.
Robb has launched the Havassy eco-friendly sandal line, and an "artist series" of skateboards with Sector 9. He is working on the "Havassy Art model" surfboard with Robert August surfboards, the surfboards basic model is a 5 foot
8 in., by 20 in. wide hybrid, "rocket fish" inspired. The "Havassy" model was be available as a Surftech model in spring 2009.
Havassy has also been involved with the Surfrider Foundation, SIMA (Surf Industry Manufacturers Association), and Heal the Bay, helping to raise eco-awareness and close to $50,000 with his art donations, with Havassy"s total donations being closer to $100,000.
Havassy, along with Rrrf, has 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.
