Coombs, probably more than anyone else, is responsible for what is known as “The Florida Style” Tiki carving, marked by exaggerated expressions and bright, colorful paint jobs. Unlike other artists who hammer their raw materials into submission, Coombs lets his media guide the creation of his initial vision naturally. This Tao-like receptiveness turns the classic relationship between artist and subject on its side, allowing often rigid materials to dictate the shape of each of its own cuts and contours. The result is always exhilarating and keeps Coombs in a constant state of eager discovery.

“People just assume that we take any old log and start chipping away at it and presto! you’ve got a Tiki,” shouts Coombs over the din of the spinning blade. “You’ve got to locate them first, check them out, load them, and transport them back to the studio. After that, we fumigate them, cure them, and peel off the outer layer of bark. It’s a long process.”

Before sculpting, Coombs tells me that he first feels the log in his hands to see how it rests naturally. “I find the base first and get the feel for where its center is. After that, I try to let it sculpt itself…I only look for the potential”.