Post #200023 by JohnnyP on Fri, Nov 25, 2005 1:07 PM

What a warm welcome. Thanks a lot. I appreciate all the kind comments coming from the very talented individuals this site has!!!!

BigBroTiki- To answer your question about the reactions people have, I get the whole range of responses, from “Wow, this is really cool!“ to the “this guy is weird” looks. We live out in the country and our yard is not in sight of any the neighbours so we don’t have the “neighbour-hood convention” thing to worry about. You mentioned Detroit has a minor Tiki scene, but I have never met another “Tiki person.” Tiki is a big unknown in this county, as we live about a half hour north of the suburbs -mostly farmland.

The family has been supportive. They were a little unsure of what it was at first, but after letting them flip through the BOT they understand I wasn‘t the only one with this bizarre interest. After a few “Grog Log” / pool parties they have been getting into it. Ironically, even though Tiki is big with the younger people now, my grandmother was the one who recognised it first and help ease the transition for the rest.

It is always interesting when somebody new comes to visit, such as our daughter‘s friends parents. We’re used to the way the house/yard looks and somewhat forget how different it is from most people are used to. Visitors tend to start politely looking around at the art in our house unsure of what to say. It’s fun to watch them try to figure it out. The questions eventually start to flow.

I promised I would post some more items. My biggest interest is in New Guinea wood carvings and I’ve been trying to recreate some of the pieces in the books I’ve managed to locate.

Here is some samples of our inside tiki items. I am fortunate my wife is very supportive and allows me to display these pieces in the living room.

Mask

Small Yipwan -This is actually my version one in "Night of the Tiki" pg 42.

Large Yipwan

Cult Figure

Thanks for looking! More to come.
JohnnyP.