'Tales From the Tiki Lounge' exhibit in L.A. opens July 6

La Luz de Jesus Gallery

4633 Hollywood Blvd.

Los Angeles CA 90027

323-666-7667

www.laluzdejesus.com

info@laluzdejesus.com





Brad "Tiki Shark" Parker

Tales From the Tiki Lounge

Miles Thompson

Warm Fuzzies, Cold Pricklies


July 6 - 29, 2012

Opening Reception: Friday, July 6th; 8-11 PM

Closing Party: Sunday, July 29, 4 pm - 7 pm




Tales from the Tiki Lounge is the rarest, hardest to find, and most collectible, Pulp-Adventure publication never made. It existed only in the Mai-Tai light Zone of Brad (Tiki Shark) Parker's imagination. These paintings are the cover-art of the most desired and sought after issues. So precious that they are nearly beyond price, and believability.



"Brad Parker creates lurid paintings that pull in inluences from tiki, comics, and rock." - Honolulu Magazine, "The Best Of 2012 "



"My art is my personal celebration of a creative reinvention of a foolish misinterpretation of an ancient mythology that sought to solve the mystery of the "breath of life" that eternally and precariously surfs the complete expanse between the bottomless sea and the floating shadow land of preexistence in the inconceivable heights of the sky. Not just to live. But, to 'live aloha'." -Brad Parker




Miles Thompson's Warm Fuzzies, Cold Pricklies," a show created with Gouache on illustration board, reflects on what makes life both a beach and a bitch. It is an epitaph for the oceans and forests, once abundant and fecund (look it up, it is the root of the F bomb), now only a ghostly reminder of what an infinite life giving power they once were. There is more than just an environmental message here, Warm Fuzzies, Cold Pricklies is also a joyful reminder for us all to frolic around and about the impermanence we all face day to day while we are blessed with a heart, body and mind. Life happens between the lullaby and the nightmare, having and losing. Everything in-between is either a memory that we don't want to fade, or which is sadly indelible.



Thompson, whose influences range from the ephemeral world of comics, animation and album cover art to centuries of fine art and sculpture, is a native Californian residing in Hollywood who draws, paints, reads, writes, hikes, runs, surfs and meditates. He is most inspired by his daughter who he calls his butterfly.


Martini Kings "Palm Springs Serenade" vinyl LP release and closing party for Tales from the Tiki Lounge and Warm Fuzzies, Cold Pricklies


Live performance by The Martini Kings

Sunday, July 29, 2012

4 - 7 pm



Come have one more look at Brad and Miles' show and celebrate the release of The Martini Kings' Palm Springs Serenade LP on Dionysus Records, featuring cover art by SHAG, at this combination record release and show closing celebration.