The Coconut Monkey Project

SurfBEAT opening reception!

2008-03-18T18:34:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-12T03:36:00.000-07:00

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'

2008-03-12T03:15:00.000-07:00

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

My Article in Tiki Magazine!

2008-03-12T03:03:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-03-12T00:18:00.000-07:00

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!

Happy Holidays from the Coconut Monkey Project!

2007-11-27T01:12:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays everyone! Hope to see you at one or both of these great tiki and custom culture art events!

Saturday December 8th @ the Tonga Hut in North Hollywood, CA

Saturday December 15th @ Hot Rod Surf/TikiLand Christmas Car Show in San Diego, CA
Check out the Hot Rod Surf site for details:
www.hotrodsurf.com
href="http://www.hotrodsurf.com/index.htm">

I will have original paintings, bamboo framed prints, stationary sets, ornaments and more for sale-so come out and enjoy some tiki and low brow fun, and get all your holiday shopping done at the same time!

REMEMBER: Everyone loves a monkey! :)

If you can't make it out to one of these fun events, you can also buy prints and other great Coconut Monkey Project art online at:

MAHALO!

The Big Eye Paintings are HERE!

2007-10-12T02:46:00.000-07:00

Aloha friends!
Well, it's been a busy summer and I have some great news and great new pieces to share with you!
First off, I am just finishing my interview and photo shoot for the next issue of Tiki Magazine! So be sure to pick up a copy and enjoy the fun filled article all about the Coconut Monkey Project and my paintings in the NEXT issue!
Second, we just wrapped our 5th Tiki Art Show at the Tonga Hut, and boy, was it a BLAST! We had an amazing group of artists including LITTLE LOST TIKI with his beautiful and intricate paintings and brand new TIKI FARM mug set, TIKI DIABLO with his awesome tiki mugs and hand painted idols, Suburban Pagan with glowing moody paintings and hand made tiki idol candles, JOHNNY VELOUR with one of a kind hand sculpted scorpion bowls, lava bowls and poison bottles, Seco from the MARTINI KINGS with some great art as well as CD's and Camp Burlesque DVD's, The much anticipated CD release from the TIKIYAKI ORCHESTRA. I was up to my usual monkey business, but finished TWO NEW PAINTINGS just in time for the show!
YES, These are NON-MONKEY paintings-I CAN paint other things you know ;). . .and they are inspired by one of my other loves-the Big Eye Paintings by Keane and the other masters of the 1960's.
I seem to have found a happy medium between kitch and tiki, and I'm not budging!:)
Let me know what you think!

Tiki Oasis A-Go-Go!

2007-08-24T02:35:00.000-07:00

What a blast!
Met some great folks, listened to some great tiki tunes, had some amazing drinks!
Highlights: Meeting my heros artists Derek Yaniger http://www.derekart.com/
Stewart of FontDiner.com. http://www.fontdiner.com/main.html

Being an assitant mixologyst for the great Beachbum Berry During his amazing Historical Tiki Drink symposium. http://www.beachbumberry.com/

Go Go Dancing with the devilettes! :) http://www.devilettes.com/

Oh yes, and seeing my coconut monkey prints on display in thier great new home-The Freaky Boutiki in San Diego-right on the beach-they love it! You will too! http://thefreakfactory.biz/boutiki/page2.html

Here are some fun picks. . . can't wait til next year!

The Coconut Monkeys invade Tiki Oasis!

2007-08-16T01:57:00.000-07:00

I will be living it up all weekend in San Diego for the annual Tiki Oasis extravaganza!

***AND*** I am pleased as punch (rum punch of course!) to announce that The Coconut Monkey Project paintings and prints will be on display and for sale ALL WEEKEND LONG at San Diego's own fabulous beachfront FREAKY BOUTIKI!

http://thefreakfactory.biz/boutiki/page2.html

***Swing on by and check out this unquie shop! And hey, while you're there, why not adopt your very own coconut monkey print!

These are archival wood mounted and varnished prints in hand made bamboo frames for ONLY $40!!!

***Remember, all procedes go to the collection and preservation of wayward coconut monkeys.***

Mahalo for your support, and I hope to see you at Oasis! Please say hello if you see me! -I'll be the blonde in the vintage Shaheen dress and white Go Go boots! :)

The latest addition. . .Kirby 'The Funky Monkey'

2007-06-17T23:50:00.001-07:00

Introducing. . .Kletus!

2007-05-14T20:24:00.000-07:00

Here is Kletus, he is #6 in the Coconut Monkey Project series, and a nice companion peice to Fetus.
Collect them all!

Tiki Treasures and Polynesian Pin-Ups Show!

2007-04-20T14:40:00.000-07:00

Announcing the Tiki Treasures and Polynesian Pin-Ups Show!
SATURDAY ARRIL 28th!

Buy Coconut Monkey Art!

2007-04-19T16:29:00.000-07:00

Coconut Monkey Project-Coming soon to the Freaky Boutiki!

2007-01-16T00:11:00.000-08:00

Great news Monkey fans!

The fabulous framed prints of the first 5 Coconut Monkey paintings in the series will soon be available and on special display at the FREAKY BOUTIKI in SAN DIEGO! Check back next month for details!

Mahalo friends and supporters!

A very special print offer for Tonga Hut Art Show!

2006-12-13T18:18:00.000-08:00

Aloha friends,

I am excited to announce a VERY SPECIAL OFFER/CHALLENGE
exclusively for Tiki Central members and Coconut Monkey Project fans!

Just bring your coconut monkey offering to The Tonga Hut Sat. Dec. 16th 7-Midnight, to receive your treasure!

The Coconut Monkey Prints are HERE!

2006-12-09T18:30:00.000-08:00

Just in time for the Holidays!
*These are limited edition signed prints. They will be available Saturday, Dec. 16th at Tonga Hut art show!

For those who can only be there with us in spirit contact me via e-mail with your order/inquiry and we can set up easy payment through paypal.

This holiday, show you care, give a coconut monkey.
Monkeys make people happy.

Mahalo!
Atomikitty

2006-12-07T17:34:00.000-08:00

Aloha friends,

Here is the latest painting to emerge from the Coconut Monkey Project studio.

This particular coconut monkey was given to me by a good friend before he moved to New York. It had belonged to his grandfather, and had been in the family as long as he could remember.

The character, shape and expression of the coconut monkeys often inspire my choice of background motif and color palette. In this case I was equally inspired by this quirky, buck-toothed, shag-haired monkey, and the person who gave it to me.
The result? A sort of Eames era hipster, atomic beatnik coconut monkey.

I hope you enjoy!

Coconut Monkey Paintings held captive by pirates!!!!

2006-10-11T18:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, so they are not REALLY being held captive by pirates. . .

. . . but they ARE on surrounded by them, and on display as part of the 'SPOOKY LUAU' group art show at
'ENCHANTED DEVA'S LAST WISH REVENGE N' TREASURES'
until the end of October.

'ENCHANTED DEVA'S LAST WISH REVENGE N' TREASURES'
-for all your pirating needs-now with monkeys!!!
5050 Vineland Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91601

* 3 New wayward coconut monkeys have found their way to my door this weekend! I have introduced them to the tribe, and they are adjusting well in their new environment. . .Now I gotta get started on these paintings! . . .

New Arrivals!

2006-09-28T22:36:00.000-07:00

Aloha friends,

Here are the two latest paintings, 'Flathead and Son', and 'The commodore'. First sighting was Sat. Sept. 16th at the Tikis and Terrors Art Show.

Tell me what you think! Your feedback is appeciated!

Mahalo and Enjoy!

The Adventure Begins!!!

2006-09-14T01:59:00.000-07:00

Aloha, and Welcome travelers!

I am an artist, vintage collector, and tiki bartender who has set out to document my immense and ever growing collection of kool, kreepy, kitsch, COCONUT MONKEYS.

These pieces are part of 'The Coconut Monkey Project.' -My personal crusade to rehabilitate and provide a refuge for wayward coconut monkeys.

HERE IS A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COCONUT MONKEY:
Captured and brought to the states as souvenirs of exotic tropical vacations, or with servicemen after their tours of duty in the Pacific, these coconut monkeys took up residence in American homes, and became an icon of the tiki and cocktail culture of the 50's and 60's. As rumpus rooms and tiki bars fell out of fashion, so did the coconut monkey. For decades they have been discarded by owners, stranded on garage sale and flee market blankets, and forgotten in dusty attics as their coconut husks fray. Over the past ten years, I have made it my personal mission to open my home as a sanctuary to these coconut monkeys. Here they are put in a place of honor among the bamboo, tiki mugs, and exotic rum bottles to be enjoyed and appreciated by all. I wanted to share my mission, and my love for coconut monkeys with the world, so I decided to paint their portraits. No two paintings, or monkeys, are alike.

In the following months, I will be posting individual updates and bios on the monkeys, as well as the status of the overall collection.

There will also be several ways that you can 'sponsor a coconut monkey', details to be worked out in the near future.

IF YOU LIVE IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA, I WILL BE DISPLAYING THESE COCONUT MONKEY PAINTINGS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE 'TIKIS AND TERRORS-THE LOST EXPEDITION' ART SHOW. OPENING RECEPTION IS SAT. SEPT. 16TH @ BAHOOKAS IN ROSEMEAD. THIS WILL BE AN AMAZING NIGHT FULL OF ART, MUSIC, FOOD, AND DRINK! NOT TO BE MISSED!

Until then, enjoy the art!

Comments are much appreciated, so let me know if you are out there!