Phil Roberts, an accomplished artist, draws deep inspiration from his Southern California upbringing, where the intersection of surf, skate, and art culture shaped his creative journey. Raised in the beachside communities of Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, Roberts immersed himself in the vibrant surf scene, which heavily influenced his early artistic style.

He was drawing from the age of 5 and earning money for his art at 13. At 15 he was drawing caricatures in front of crowds at sidewalk art shows around the state. The December ’82 cover of Surfer magazine launched his career in Hollywood, with his first movie poster “Hot Dog the Ski Movie”, where he rose to be one of the top illustrators in movie advertising, freelancing for all the major studios. Phil’s scientific illustrations of how waves work for Drew Kampion’s Book of Waves have been published in scientific journals and museum exhibits around the world. Phil has created the coveted winner’s trophies for the prestigious Pipeline Masters since 2008.

Manhattan Beach was home to Phil’s ICAAN GALLERY, and in 2017, a photograph (taken by LeRoy Grannis in 1966) of legendary surfer Dewey Weber, as he carved through a deep blue wave in the summer sun off Hermosa Beach, was forever memorialized by a Phil Roberts sculpture based on the photo in front of the Hermosa Beach Community Center on Pier Avenue.

 Phil Roberts is often referred to by his peers as a “modern day Da Vinci”, as he is best known as a master painter.  However, his strongest talents lie in his inventions, figure drawing and sculptures. Phil has also become well known in the surf industry as the creator of some of the most memorable paintings and illustrations of surf spots and surf personalities.