SurfBEAT opening reception!

Wow! What an amazing show, and what a stellar turn out of talent and super-cool art fans!
I wanted to take more (and better) pics, but the show was PACKED to the rafters from 6pm til Midnight!
If you missed it, have no fear, the show goes until April 5th.
Contact The Light Gallery for hours and info.
Pics soon to follow.
In the meantime, go make friends with The Coconut Monkey Project on myspace!

**SurfBEAT Art Show** Saturday March 15th

I am proud to announce that I will be a part of the EPIC SurfBEAT art show!

70 artists displaying the finest and latest in Tiki~Surf~HotRod~Lowbrow and Outsider Art!

Artist reception Saturday March 15th 6-Midnight.

The Light Gallery
440 E. 17th St. Costa Mesa, CA

Some great hype and news coverage about the show:

Some of the amazing group of surf, outsider and tiki artists who are gonna be in this...
The Pizz, R. Kruze, Drew Brophy, John Bell, Candy, Miles Thompson, Damian, BigToe, Mr.G, Doug Dorr, Grimb, Steve Caballero, Ken Ruzic, Dave Lozeau, Bamboo Ben, Chongolio, Brad "TikiShark" Parker, Fudemae, Max Grundy, Aaron Kraten, Fudemae, Squindo, James Mcleod, Keith Ciaramello, The mysterious 13:11, Dirk Hays, Buddy June, Crazy Al, Scott Aicher, Chongolio, Doug Horne, Atomic Kitty, Justin Barry, Chainsaw Chuck Majewski, Von Poot, Dale Sizer, Dark Vomit, Paul Torres, Joe Vitale, Augie pagan, Mike Sosnowski, Tiki Ray, TV-1, Ryzart and many more talented artists from all over the globe!

Surfing and hotrod cultures, along with fascination with the decadent psuedo-polynesian tiki culture, all blossomed in the 50s, when hipster baby boomers explored their sense of individuality and rebellion. They offer in common today, as they did then, a haven for outsiders, folks disenchanted with the promise of main-stream media and the American Dream.

In the art world, the academic and traditional gallery communities have been slow to warm to the allure of the art produced by these outsiders. Artwork inspired by surfing, hotrods and tikis, in all its forms, revels in It's representational depiction of familiar cultural icons of the "wrong side of the tracks". This aesthetic has been shunned by the leaders of the "high-brow" art world.

SurfBEAT features a broad cross-section of what is collectively referred to as "lowbrow" artists. From world-renowned to local heroes: Surf artists, Animators, Hotrod air-brushers, tattoo artists, skateboard artists, concert poster illustrators, tiki carvers, pin-up photographers and sundry ne'er-do-well artists converge in a celebration of decadence sure to titillate and amuse all but the most puritanical pillars of the community.

The show opens MARCH 15 at The Light Gallery in Costa Mesa.

6pm-midnight
theLightGallery
440 e.17th st
costa mesa 92627
www.thelightgalleries.com

New Coconut Monkey Painting! 'Lil Buddy'

Making his debut at the SurfBEAT Art Show Saturday March 15th!

My Article in Tiki Magazine!

That's right friends! This Year started out with a bang!
The great folks over at Tiki Magazine chose to feature me and The Coconut Monkey Project for their 'Up and Coming Tiki' artist profile in the Winter 2007/08 issue!

The Amazingly beautiful cover art is by Heather Watts

I am really happy with the article, and have been getting great feedback and encouragement from it.

MAHALO to everyone involved and everyone who has supported me and me art!

If you don't already have a copy, pick one up at the Tiki Central website!

Tiki Magazine Art Show @ The Bali Hai!

This was the FIRST ART SHOW hosted by the Amazing Tiki Magazine, and they pulled out all the stops for a stellar night of Art, Music and Cocktails!

The Bali Hai in San Diego made for the most spectacular backdrop for this star studded and diverse show of Tiki, Surf and Polynesian Pop artists. The room was swimming in rich tropical colors and textures, and awash in the glittering light from the water outside. The Smokin Menehunes played two wonderful sets accompanied by Polynesian Dancers, with a guest appearance by Crazy Al on the coconuts! The Bali Hai bartenders whipped up some DELICIOUS tropical drinks, and the spirit of Aloha was alive and well.
All in all, a truly magical evening-not to mention I sold my piece 'Kanaloa' in the first 45 minutes of the show! A new record! :)

Here are some fun pics. Special thanks to Chongolio http://chongolio.blogspot.com/
for letting me steal a few of these!