Jim Phillips (illustrator)

Jim Phillips is an American graphic artist known for his contributions to surf and skateboard culture, particularly his creation of the iconic Screaming Hand logo for Santa Cruz Skateboards. His work has become emblematic of youth rebellion and skate culture, remaining influential over three decades.

Early and personal life
Born in San Jose, California, Phillips has spent the majority of his life in Santa Cruz, California.

Career
Phillips began his career in the arts in the early 1960s, initially gaining recognition through surf and skateboard magazines.

His professional journey took off with his first published work in the 1962 spring issue of Surfer Quarterly, featuring his "Woody" illustration, which had won a surf car cartoon contest the previous year. His art started to gain traction in the 1960s, appearing in major surf magazines and local surf shops where he designed art for surfboards.

In the mid-1960s, Phillips furthered his education in fine art at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, California, under a scholarship. His pivotal career breakthrough came when he became the sole artist and art director for NHS Inc. in the 1970s and 1980s, where he created an extensive array of skateboard-related artworks, including decks, t-shirts, and stickers.

Phillips' Screaming Hand logo, designed in 1985, has become a global skateboarding and youth culture symbol. It is the main graphic associated with the Santa Cruz brand.

In 1988, Phillips founded Phillips Studios, mentoring the next generation of skateboarding artists and producing designs for NHS.

Legacy
Phillips' impact on skateboarding's visual culture was highlighted in the global "The Screaming Hand" art exhibit, which toured 25 art venues worldwide from 2016 to 2017, including the Santa Cruz Art and History Museum.

A documentary about Phillips, titled Art and Life: The Story of Jim Phillips, premiered February 10, 2024, at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.