John Van Hamersveld is an icon in Southern California culture, or maybe more aptly described as a creator of

icons, credited with many graphics and images that celebrate Southern California. He launched his professional

career as the art director at 'Surfer Magazine'. Then his poster for the classic surf film 'The Endless

Summer' became an image that is an emblem for surf culture itself.

Spontaneity is not part of his approach. He has the designer's sensibility, not the artist who draws.  Every inch,

every wiggly worm is carefully considered. Even in his animated,  futuristic style work his negative shapes are as

important as his positive ones.

The drawing process continues flowing into detail with pen in hand, as Van Hamersveld explores patterns through

the drawn image. This means that any given drawing derives from many hours of his contemplation in an almost

trance-like state. The accumulation of experiences from the past truly becomes the past. As Van Hamersveld

draws in the Zen of the moment, with each hour's focus on the pen in front of the paper. 

Known for his psychedelic patterns and vivacious color schemes, Van Hamersveld?s images capture the essence

of their subject, distilling the most powerful elements of a picture down to a graphic icon that becomes an

emblem of a feeling, movement, or a way of life. John?s work captures these subcultures so well because e

experienced and interpreted them incessantly.

Van Hamersveld also designed more than 300 album covers, most famously the Stones' "Exile on Main Street"

and the Beatles' "Magical Mystery Tour". He's created historic rock posters for Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and Jefferson

Airplane, and so many more.

Public murals have been installed from Norfolk VA to San Pedro CA. The largest mural is 510 feet in El Segundo

CA.

His recognizable hand has spanned an array of cultural niches. For some this reveals Van Hamersveld's far-

reaching influence, and for others this simply validates their understanding of John's deep roots in the culture

that makes up the Southern California we know today.