John Van Hamersveld
John Van Hamersveld
John Van Hamersveldis an American graphic artist and illustrator who designed record jackets for pop and psychedelic bands, since the 1960s. Albums include Hotter Than Hell by Kiss, Magical Mystery Tour by The Beatles, Crown of Creation by Jefferson Airplane and Exile on Main Street by The Rolling Stones...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionArtist
CountryUnited States of America
abstract built create design drawn graphic larry lines number photograph poster serve shapes
With the Larry Bertlemann portrait, I started with a photograph that I could use for it. I built the drawing's identity to serve as a graphic identity. After a number of sketches, I went into my own abstract vernacular of drawn lines and shapes to create the composition for the poster design.
art artist business crafted credit daily entertainment formed hidden ideas inside looked package packaging work
As an artist, illustrator, and photographer, most of my daily work was formed around the Art & Entertainment business, which was about packaging ideas that looked like they were crafted as artist ideas. In the distributed products, my artist credit was hidden inside the package of the artist or entertainment personality.
add black bringing connect create design drawing graphic meaning pattern vibe viewer white work
I look at graphic design as communication, meaning that the work has to have a vibe to connect to the viewer or perceiver. I make a black and white drawing and then add color digitally, bringing in a contemporary pattern to the composition to create a vibrance.
publishing work
I'm working on my own work, my own publishing company.
abstract became combining created drawing headline image together words
In 1971, I put together the 'Johnny Face' drawing as a concept, with the words as part of an image in a circle. Combining my abstract drawing with the headline 'Crazy World Ain't It' created an emblem and became a button.
next published
In 2008, 'Surfer's Journal' published 'The Next Wave' image with an article.
became
Because I went to Chouinard, which then became CalArts, I became a multi-discipline artist - it wasn't just about painting, it was about media and performance.
became commission gallery later masters pipeline
The drawing of a 'Pipeline Wave' started with Billabong as a commission for their 2009 Pipeline Masters campaign. My 'Pipeline Wave' drawing later became the start of my 'Waterworks Collection' for gallery prints.
century change constant future state
In this century of hyper-postmodern ideals, with the digital future, we're segmented into different people, places, and things in a constant state of change.
backdrop built california change idealist southern state
What is Southern California but an ever-changing dreamscape backdrop for the postmodern ideal? The psychology of the postmodern world is the continual state of change as we live in its idealist manufactured dream, built by developers.