Brad “Tiki Shark” Parker, artist and owner of Big Island-based Tiki Shark Art Inc., has sold out all of his paintings for a Los Angeles-based art show two years in advance.
The gallery La Luz De Jesus gives its artists one month to show and feature their work with a specific opening and closing date. During this time period patrons visit the venue and have the opportunity to purchase the art. “It is seldom artists featured at this type of venue have an advance sell-out show,” said Abbas Hassan. Parker’s agent and senior vice president for Tiki Shark Art Inc.
According to Parker, he “will not paint anything that he himself would not be proud to hang on his walls.” It usually take Parker two to three months of meticulous work to complete an original masterpiece, so he has his work cut out for him for the next two years.
“It’s fun and whimsical. I’ve never seen work similar to his so it is very unique,” said Tamara McLean, a longtime collector of Parker’s work and one of the patrons who made a prepurchase for the 2016 delivery of an original painting.
Locally, Parker’s work covers the front wall at Kona Oceanfront Gallery on Alii Drive.
His company designs fine art, imports and exports unique custom design art and souvenir items including beach towels and other beach and tiki themed accessories. It has recently co-branded with surf industry giant Body Glove International to include exports to the Gulf Corporation Counsel countries under exclusive license. The company takes pride in designing and creating all its items on the Big Island.
For more information, visit tikishark.com or pay a visit to his home gallery at Waterfront Row, 75-5770 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona.