Tag Archives: Art

Halloween Art Show at the Tonga Hut

Posted by The Tiki Chick in Events and tagged with , , ,

I started off my Halloween festivities over the weekend with a theme-appropriate cocktail at the Tonga Hut: The Zombie (recipe circa 1934), garnished for the occasion with a gummy eyeball and fake finger.

It was the perfect potion to sip while browsing the art that had been brought in for this special Halloween show. Here’s a peek at some of what was on display. (From left: Painting by Kirby and Stephen Sandoval‘s “The Best Candy” & “Rebirth”)

I was blown away by these black velvets by Thor. Although the subject of shrunken heads might not normally be my cup of tea, it’s hard to look away from the golden glow of these paintings.

Eric October has a knack for making tikis look cute, like this happy Ku toasting a Dia de Los Muertos figure. And I love how the scrap wood frame looks with Kirby’s “Skully Brains Cocktail” on the right.

MP found inspiration for this very cool “Keep to the Code” piece from the movie “Treasure Island” and a hot buttered rum. (I could go for one of those right now, if it wasn’t 88 degrees outside!)

Speaking of salty old pirates, I’ve always admired this Cap’n Sqully mug by Squid, so I snapped one up from the Taboo Island tent that was set up in the vending area in the parking lot.

Coming up at the Hut are a Gilligan’s Island-inspired gig on November 21, and the Christmas-themed Tiki Wonderland on December 11. I’ll be there with bells on! (Quite possibly literally.)

Oceanic Arts – Whittier, CA

Posted by The Tiki Chick in Tiki Sites and Stores and tagged with , , ,

Inside a nondescript building in Whittier, less than an hour outside of LA, is the treasure trove of tiki that is Oceanic Arts. It’s basically a one-stop shop for anybody looking to build a home tiki bar or throw a big luau (though I suppose your second stop would probably be a good liquor store).

But supplying bamboo, lauhala matting and carvings to the masses is just the tip of the iceberg for them. They’re also responsible for the decor of landmarks like the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Tonga Room…

Not to mention numerous films and television shows ranging from “Gilligan’s Island” to the “Pirates of the Caribbean” sequels to my personal favorite: “Saved by the Bell.” (A piece of paper at the front desk lists some of their many credits.)

There’s also sections filled with nautical items like port and starboard lanterns, cork floats, glass floats, rigging, life preservers and even mermaid figureheads. (Although some items are only for rent, and others are even just for show.)

Leroy Schmaltz started Oceanic Arts with Bob Van Oosting in 1957, after cultivating his talent for carving tikis in the style of…Oceanic art! Check out the book/catalog “Night of the Tiki: The Art of Shag, Schmaltz and Selective Primitive Oceanic Carvings” for more on their history.

And they’ve been running this business for more than fifty years! “Almost every sitcom will eventually have an episode that has some tropical setting in it….We’ll wind up doing it,” said Schmaltz in “Night of the Tiki.”

These shell and tapa lamps are just amazing, though alas, out of my price range. I can dream!

Here’s a little area where significant others can relax while the pocketbook damage is being done. (If Mr. Hockey hadn’t been out of town that weekend, you probably would have seen him here.)

The display cases are filled with tiki tablelamps and vintage and recent mugs, including one that commemorates themselves! These are just for admiring, though there are some Tiki Farm mugs available to buy in another area.

The warehouse is only open weekdays, plus Saturdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., so I’d suggest making it an early trip to ensure plenty of browsing time. I picked up a couple things for my tiki room, but probably the most useful purchase was their catalog ($10). It lists pictures and pricing for lots of their stock, so next time I can go in with a clearer idea of what I want and what’s in my budget.

Oceanic Arts Tropical Decor
12414 Whittier Blvd.
Whittier, CA 90602
562-698-6960

Everything but the Kitsch ‘N Sync at La Luz de Jesus

Posted by The Tiki Chick in Events and tagged with , , ,

Back in March, La Luz de Jesus gallery in the back of Soap Plant/Wacko in Silver Lake hosted the 13th annual “Everything but the Kitsch ‘N Sync” art show.

The exhibition is not really tied to a theme in particular, but there were some tiki-influenced artists thrown into the mix. Plus you could sit back and take in the art on this Ku bench that’s kind of obscured in my photo.

Surfer/artist/animator Miles Thompson had some beautiful submissions in the show, including “The Harmony in 3s” above. (And according to this interview in Liquid Salt, he’s also a fan of The Palace Grill in Santa Barbara, so he’s definitely ok in my book!) I’m looking forward to seeing his Munktiki mug collaboration at the Tiki-Ti’s 50th anniversary shindig.

Black velvet paintings are the preferred medium for the amazing Heather Watts. (I hope to own one of her works someday.) This piece, “The Decision,” demonstrates her ethereal style.

Hawaii-based artist Brad Parker merged the classic Universal movie monsters with tiki style in this series of four paintings collectively called “Monsters on Vacation.” Apparently looking for a change of scenery from The Black Lagoon here is “The Kreature from Kona.”

I just had to post another for good measure, and because I like them so much. “Dracula Drinks…A Mai Tai” is another example of the eye-popping colors and intense detail characteristic of his paintings and prints.