And, finally, part two of my post about Wayne Coombs’ Mai Tiki Studio and Gallery in Cocoa Beach, Florida…

Outside, a couple of palm trees were propped up against the wall, waiting to meet their destiny of being carved into tikis.

After browsing through the gallery, we also got to take a look in the studio. This is where the magic happens! That big guy was in the process of being molded into a giant tiki fountain.

Wayne Coombs himself was there that day and it was awesome to chat with him. Of course, I was having such a good time that I forgot to get a photo op. 🙂

A pretty impressive thatched hut out in the back—would have been perfect for taking shelter during a sudden storm, like the one that you can see happened while we were there. Though I suppose in Florida it’s not so much “sudden” as “inevitable.”

I really loved the juxtaposition of this tiki and the “Casablanca” mural next door. Can it be just a coincidence that he and Humphrey have similar expressions and hand positioning?

Editor’s Note: Wayne Coombs passed away in September 2012. The Mai Tiki gallery closed its doors in November 2013, following a celebration of Coombs’ 40 years of art at the Space Coast Art Festival in Cocoa Beach.