John Severson

The creator of Surfer Magazine, John grew up surfing in Southern California and began the surf-art phenomena through his study of the Hawaii - California surf culture of the 1950’s. Subsequently he used his art, photography and surfing passion to create a series of surf movies including; Surf Safari, Surf Fever, Pacific Vibrations, and the legendary Big Wednesday. As a surfer, Severson was known for riding big waves, winning the Peru International Surfing Championships and reaching the finals of the U.S and Hawaiian Championships in 1961.Concentrating on his magazine and graphics work, his painting ‘Surf Bebop’ was selected as the outstanding cover painting of 1963 by Communication Arts. In 1968 Life Magazine ran a 10 page story on him and his family. His photography has received equal recognition, appearing in Life, Sports Illustrated, Paris Match, and German Stern among other publications. In 1996 he entered the world of textile design for Kahala Sportswear, always continuing his passion of painting and printmaking of surf themes. Inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame in 1993, and receiving the lifetime achievement award by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association as ‘Waterman of the Year’ in 1997.John continues to paint, (in what is often referred to as his ‘beatnik’ style), with watercolour his favourite medium. “He is a true original, there is no doubt that his artwork will pass the test of time, both as unique artistic statements and as an important visual record of the developing surf culture”.(G.T.McClelland, Author, Art Historian, Santa Ana, California).