TAKE OFFS

Take Offs are John Severson mixed media graphic paintings inspired by photos in Surf Fever, a book of images focusing on John’s 1959-1971 “Surfer years.” The images are starting points, with John taking off in many different directions. 




One of John’s most successful images is the famous photograph of Greg Noll staring down a giant wave at Pipeline. Here Severson takes the image into abstract impressions in deep indigos, and in another version, reddish sienna.  A six-pack of Waimea surfers drop into an extended wavescape in both blues and sepias.  A Rincon nose ride evokes the open waves and times of the ‘50s as Lance Carson hangs ten in blazing reds, again in turquoise, and then in a graphic presentation of soft brown nostalgia with SURF lettering. Severson’s early “Fever” style lettering has taken on a life of its own, reflecting the funky ‘50s surf scene, and a new wave style that ushered in the ‘60s.

John works with a screening process that merges surf and pop art imagery on canvas in a blend of photo, serigraph, and paint.  He paints the background and then screens the image.  This becomes the starting point for the painting.  Using the subject and accidentals as inspiration, the painting then takes off.  "It's a series of crossroads," says Severson, "each new canvas allows me to explore another direction.  I'm sure I'll play some ideas out, but for now, it's a painter's dream."

John Severson led the way in surf photography, established the genre’ of surf art, and his imagery in still evocative after forty years.  The painted graphics are both nostalgic and contemporary, representing another original direction by John.

Gordon McClelland
Art Historian, Santa Ana, California

"SOUL DOG" (MIXED MEDIA) 18" X 24"

$1,500-Unframed on canvas board (reproduction rights retained by artist)
Shipping $20 domestic, $30 foreign.

"SURF ARCH" (MIXED MEDIA) 24" X 24"

$2,000-unframed on canvas (reproduction rights retained by artist)
Shipping $30 domestic, $40 foreign.

"FAST EDDIE" (MIXED MEDIA) 24" X 30"

$2,000-Canvas-unframed
(reproduction rights retained by artist)
Shipping $25 domestic, $35foreign.

"MAKAHA TRIM" (MIXED MEDIA) 20" X 24"

$1,200-FRAMED (reproduction rights retained by artist)
Shipping $20 domestic, $30 foreign. Currently on
display at The Surf Gallery in Laguna Beach.

"HOT BOP" 20" X 24"

$1,200-unframed (reproduction rights retained by artist)
Shipping $20 domestic, $30 foreign.

"SIX PIONEERS" (MIXED MEDIA ON CANVAS) 30" X 40"

$3,000 Canvas-unframed (reproduction rights retained by artist)
Shipping to be determined

"OFF THE LIP II" (MIXED MEDIA) 20" X 24"

$1,500-Unframed
(reproduction rights retained by artist)
Shipping $25 domestic, $35foreign.

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