Post #651186 by TikiHardBop on Sat, Sep 8, 2012 6:31 AM

A letter to the editor from a well-known personality:

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20120908/OPINION/120906015/Letter-Tiki-artist-Wayne-Coombs-forged-his-own-path-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

Tiki artist Wayne Coombs 'forged his own path'

Written by
Otto von Stroheim, Tiki News
Alameda, Calif.

Big kudos to FLORIDA TODAY report Pam Harbaugh for recognizing Wayne Coombs, who passed away earlier this week, as a Florida legend.

Not only was Wayne a warm and amazing human being, he is a legend in the world of tiki carving. Wayne created his own style now known as “the Florida style” by teaching new carvers who later left to start their own businesses.

I had the honor of interviewing Wayne in 2000 and visiting his then new studio in Cocoa Beach. He is an American folk artist who forged his own path right from the start. A self-made man and an inspiration to many.

Wayne will be sorely missed in the tiki world and in Florida, I’m sure.