Exotica Magnets

William the hippo comes from Egypt and is approximately 4000 yrs old. He currently resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.

Conceived as an animated character in the '40s, Madame Banana was instrumental in educating American consumers only recently introduced to bananas about their great nutritional value and how to ripen them. As the years progressed, she came into her own as an iconic figure, appearing in countless TV commercials, print ads, and even being portrayed by models on talk shows and events around the world.

After returning to America in the 1950s from living abroad, Stephen Crane opened The Luau, a Polynesian-themed restaurant on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Quickly becoming a celebrity hotspot, the Luau was known for its innovative tiki decor and its high-profile customers. As the host and owner, Crane became a well-known name in the restaurant industry and tongue in cheek signed his menus as "STEFOOMA, High-Talking Chief of the Luau" in an attempt to keep up with the storied personas of Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic. Crane expanded his company, Stephen Crane Associates, which at one point included over a dozen different restaurants.

Stephen Crane (a.k.a. Steve Crane, Steven Crane) started out as bit actor in Hollywood in the 30's and became better known for being one of Lana Turner's ex-husbands than for any of his roles. Realizing his limited acting skills, Steve Crane turned his charm and energies to the restaurant business and in 1953 bought out 'The Tropics' in Beverly Hills. Taking his cue from Trader Vic's and Don the Beachcomber, Steve created his own Polynesian themed restaurant 'The Luau'. The restaurant quickly became a hit and a 'must see' Hollywood celebrity hot spot. Eventually Steve Crane would be approached by Sheraton to create a Polynesian themed restaurant for the hotels to compete with Hilton and their association with Trader Vic's.

Palm leaves in their natural habitat by Debra Cox - Nostalgic Perspective Photography.

A purple and white iris.

Sweet Exotic Birds Pattern

After Prohibition was repealed in 1933, the bootlegger known as 'Ernie' changed his name to Donn Beach and opened Don the Beachcomber, a small café and bar where he mixed exotic rum drinks for his customers. Inspired by his travels, Donn filled the new place with Polynesian flair, including a bamboo bar with matching barstools, fishing nets draped on the walls, large glass fishing weights in every shade of blue and green imaginable, and the now-ubiquitous cocktail umbrellas adorning his drinks. Thus, Donn Beach became the founding father of the Polynesian “tiki” bar.

If you were looking for a genuine Cuban nightlife experience in the '80s, La Habana Club Nocturno was the place to be. Located in Miami's Little Havana, they were the hot spot for live music including everything from Afro-Cuban jazz and traditional Conga to Mambo and Mozambique. They also offered a full kitchen with a comprehensive Cuban menu and regional cocktails for a fully immersive experience.

Tiki Bob's Cantina was a ubiquitous college-style tiki bar located in Seattle's historic Pioneer Square. It was frequented by a younger crowd and had more of a Senor Frog's kind of vibe that that of a true tiki bar. truth be told, it was tiki in name only, but it was the kind of place you go for jello shots and cheap beer prior to a game or to watch college girls strip for tuition money. Whether you loved it or hated it, it was able to keep the lights on for a good ten years and was quite busy for most of them.

Tony Bennett / Retro Style Fan Design

Tony Bennett / Retro Style Fan Design

Just enjoy my artwork

Iconic Hollywood vamp and Polish import, Pola Negri. Imagery selected based on aesthetic and resolution, and slightly modified to negate the imperfections of time.

Black cat at sunset in Mid Century modern Shag style

From 1963 to 1987, Castaways Hotel and Casino operated on the Las Vegas Strip as the only Polynesian Islands/tiki style themed establishment in town. From the minute you walked in, you were immersed in tiki culture bar, from Polynesian waitresses and exotica music playing throughout to extensive tropical plants and South pacific decor. You truly felt like you were in a much more exotic locale when you were at Castaways, making them one of the original themed hotel and casino operations on the strip. Another first that Castaways was known for was their huge 1,500 gallon aquarium that made up the back wall of one of the main bars, where patrons could watch tropical fish as they enjoyed their cocktails – the patrons, not the fish.

The Siren of the Tropics. Imagery selected based on aesthetic and resolution, and modified to negate the imperfections of time.

In this captivating artwork, a beautiful Asian girl is portrayed in the cyberpunk style. Her image exudes elegance, mystery, and exoticism. She is presented in dark tones that give the painting a mysterious and mystical aura. Cybernetic details and accents create a sense of the future, where technology intertwines with beauty. This painting transports us to a world where the contemporary and exotic blend, creating a unique electrifying atmosphere.

Colorful tropical fish painting with hues of blue, orange, gold and more colors of the palette.

Classic stripes with marble, rose gold and striking black.

Work of Art!

Exotica Collage

AR ANTWORK FEATURING A POSSIBLE RECORD OF EXOTICA SOUNDS

Alejandro Mogollo Art

The practice of preparing shrunken heads originally had religious significance. Shrinking the head of an enemy was believed to harness the spirit of that enemy and compel him to serve the shrinker, and prevent the soul from avenging his death. Replica shrunken heads became popular with the rise of Tiki culture, making the ability to 'keep a cool head' a lot more realistic option for people wanting such things.

Lizard

Curious young male giraffe watching me walk to my tent at the Nogatsaa Pans Lodge in Botswana

Tony Bennett / Retro Style Fan Design

Before the proliferation of large truck stop chains made them a ubiquitous sight along the interstates, one-off mom-and-pop truck stops found on the two-lane highways were the norm, and the Tiki Oasis Truck Stop is one such example. Located at the junction of I-80 and US-51 in the LaSalle-Peru area of Illinois, Tiki Oasis decided to run with the tiki/exotica craze and theme their truck stop as such. From the decor of the motel rooms to signage throughout the facility, the Tiki Oasis was a little slice of Polynesian paradise right in the heart of the Midwest.

Those Who Throw Objects at the Crocodiles Will Be Asked to Retrieve Them

Feast 1983 Throwback Design

Smiling Tiki Bob is ready to bring you a delicious cocktail

If you are a fan of mid-century exotic music, you have probably heard of Korla Pandit. If you haven't, please Google him now because it's a fascinating story. At the time, ladies were taken in by his hypnotic eyes as well as his music. This design comes in a version for a dark background as well.

Krishnanda

The creature has left the Black Lagoon and his troubled past behind him and is now living his best life catching waves and wahines in the tropics.