Crystal Beach is the ol' proverbial sleepy little coastal village nestled on The Bolivar Peninsula (named after Simon Bolivar) across the Houston Ship Channel from Galveston, Texas. To get to Galveston, we have to ride one of the ferries operated by the Texas Department of Highways. To get off the other end of the peninsula, we have a bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway connecting us to the Texas mainland. Over the years, many colorful people have taken up residence here...but few as 'in living color' as Kevin Kavanagh... or "Tiki Kevin" as he is fondly referred to. Kevin has a local business called Tiki Loco where he carves tiki heads or tiki totems out of palm tree trunks and other types of trees. Kevin is quite creative and his artwork adorns many houses and businesses alike here on this little island. Kevin is a Viet Nam Era veteran of the United States Navy and is aided by his wife and son in his artistic venture. Tiki Loco is located on the main thoroughfare of the island; Hwy.87. On just about any day of the week you can drive by or stop and watch Kevin plying his trade of tiki art. Artists and writers seem to gravitate to The Bolivar Peninsula due to its unique coastal allure and scenery. The local folks add a great deal to this artistic appeal. I can't help but recall chapters and passages from John Steinbeck's novel, "Cannery Row", when I think of all the out of ordinary people that have taken solace on this little emerald isle. Not to mention their cute nicknames... "Barefoot", "Crab Trap Ron", "Backup Birt", "Rockin' Robin"...and countless others... have all added their technicolor personalities to the patchwork quilt of this community. I love it...it's almost like living in another country; with Houston but a scant sixty miles away. Though I have included a few photographs of Tiki Kevin's art; I have done little justice to the vast body of artwork he has done over the years. One can hardly drive down one of our roads without passing some of his work. Tiki Loco has two websites; tikiloco.webs.com and tikiloco.com Tiki Kevin's mobile phone number is: 409 750 0086... give him a shout for his original and customized artwork. Positively, Truman |
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