People to Know

My friend Andrew Brandou just had an opening at the La Luz de Jesus Gallery last weekend. This guy never ceases to amaze me… His talent is exquisite. His subject matter is often quaint fairy tale animals and gentle creatures ala Beatrix Potter and executed with impeccable craftsmanship of old Audubon images. But often lurking below the surface if you are paying close attention is an insidious detail or something that will make you chuckle. Makes for wonderfully fun viewing. See the show while it's up at the gallery thru January 31, 2005. And definitely see his online presentation at www.howdypardner.com

What can I say about the Count, but that he is one talented 496 year old. Born in the town of Yabatubursk, near Glipsch, in Smokesylvania, he emigrated to the states and now resides in Hollywood, CA and now produces and emcees burlesque and variety events there. Count Smokula was even the host of a popular cult cable show called, "The Count Smokula Show."

The Count plays a mean accordion solo and I love his Olde World accent and charm. You can acquire an album of his original music called "Authentic Sounds of Smokesylvania" off of his website at
http://www.countsmokula.com

Tiki Oasis IV is just around the corner, so it's time for a Tiki relevant blog!

My friend Iuka Grogg is one of the sweetest old school Hawaiian style crooners around. Although he is a Haole, he resonates with authentic Aloha Spirit. If you are fortunate enough to see him sing live, just close your eyes and be whisked away by the tropical trade winds to a place out of space and time.

I met Iuka years ago at the Caliente Tropics Tiki Oasis where he and his group the Mai Kai Gents sang to the ladies and chaps by the pool. And when I played Mondo Tiki at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, I was thrilled to have him join me and the Thurston Howlies on stage and Rock-a-Hula along with his ukulele. Now he is a regular on the Southern California Tiki Scene performing from the Lava Lounge in Hollywood to International Tiki Day in Huntington Beach. The Mai Kai Gents have also apppeared at the inamous Hukilau event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida!

The one thing that not so many people know is that Iuka is a master mixologist with a fervent love for the cocktail. He always travels with a wine diary that's not just for wine! Look for his name on the wall of fame at the Tiki Ti in Hollywood!

When you see and hear Iuka Grogg with the Mai Kai Gents, you will not only be treated to a top notch serenade, you will witness the musical wizard Mika'ele Loco Moco and the most alluring Mysterious Miss Mauna Loa and her lovely hula hips. They are about to release their first CD, so be sure to add it to your exotica music collection when it becomes available.

http://www.mkgents.com/

When I first met Shag, he was nothing like I imagined. I will never forget the first time I saw a piece of his work hanging in my friend Peter's basement tiki bar. It was one of his very first paintings. The beatnik hipsters were something out of a long forgotten past and reminded me of the work of Ward Kimbell.

I think lots of people have pre-conceived notions of the man behind the magic, but none is funnier than mine, once you know the real guy! I pictured the artist as a big guy with black hair and Elvis biker sideburns wearing street vintage clothes on the verge of a Swing style gangster. I guess it's because his raw talent was something intimidating that I thought of him in the way.

When I did meet Shag, he was a quiet and polite man of a much gentler ilk, immaculately outfitted in suit and tie. He was well spoken, thoughtful and generous with his time and talent. His home is a pristine Mid Century Modern manor with a huge collection of tiki mugs exquisitely displayed. His wife is charming and cultured and I can only imagine his children are precocious and brilliant.

Shag, (a name which comes from the last two letters of his first name and the first two letters of his last name: Josh Agle) is an Orange County kid, influenced by growing up in the suburban dream and nearby Disneyland. Like so many of us who grew up in the tale end of the optimistic Atomic Age, he yearned to re-create the slick commercial art and advertising of the late '50s and early '60s. And he does so like no one else can. His craftsmanship is impeccable and wry wit comes across in the stories within each painting. Sometimes you just want to crawl into one of his settings of fetching vixens and swanky swingers and retire there martini in hand.

His love for the era comes across in each work and collectors recognize that making him one of the hottest artists around. One of my favorite stories about Shag is this. Apparently he had been putting in a long day of painting and his wife asked him to stop working to which Shag replied, "I stopped working about an hour ago. This is my hobby."

Now for those who cannot afford an original painting of Shag's, his work can be found in numerous licensed products. Some have called it selling out, but I say merchandising is the just reward for talent in these Modern times. Only when a society rewards its artists and musicians in monetary ways, can it be called cultured. Although his work can be seen everywhere, it still amazes me that there are those who are unfamiliar with the genius behind the gift tags and cocktail napkins.

At the opening of "Sophisticated Misfits," a seven-year retrospective of his work at the Brea Museum back in August 2002, documentary videographer Smee interviewed people about Shag's work. My girlfriend Bianca Blue claimed her life goal is to appear in a Shag painting. I countered that I had been painted by Shag and now had nothing to live for!

http://www.shag.com/