Artists, Street Performers, Musicians
Novik (Nakhapet Tcholokian) is an acrylic painter who’s been associated with the Venice Beach Boardwalk for over 16 years. He’s originally from Tbilisi, Georgia. In the eighties he had several exhibitions in Poland, Germany, Yugoslavia and Italy.
In addition to his website link above, you can also watch a slideshow of his work on YouTube.
WARNING: GRAPHIC
So I’m walking along Venice Beach, singing with my guitar, and I come across Mister Morgue. First off–he’s not faking anything. He really does swallow a snooker-sized billiard ball right down into his stomach–and then regurgitate it back out. He does hammer a 5″ steel nail up his nose. He drops the nail afterwards so the audience themselves can hear the solid steel TING. I can’t go on describing him–it’s just too freaky. Mister Morgue–amazing.
While others entertain to live, I live to entertain!
Dr. Geek’s a wordologist extraordinaire. He can rap, rhyme and tell jokes with great skill while always staying positive. He started out making up jingles when he used to sell ice cream to little kids. Originally from Detroit, Dr. Geek made up an unrehearsed ryhme for BluBlocker that sold 20 million pairs–which is how he got his new name.
Salvador Dali–There is only one difference between a madman and me. The madman thinks he is sane. I know I am mad.
Welcome to the world of Gary Soszynski. Gary’s been painting with oils on Venice Beach for over 32 years. Originally from Yonkers NY, Gary started painting at age five. Check out his surrealistic visions such as ”I See You” or the whimsical human-like animals of his Cartoonees at his website.
I love Venice Beach. It’s the University of Entertainment!
Watch Perry Hernandez as he defies the odds by leaping from The Voodoo Chair Of Death onto razor sharp glass. Huba Huba, as he is called on the beach, is known as “The Prime Minister of Limbo.” Calls of “Huba Huba in the House” can be heard echoing across the sand seven days a week. Originally from Trinidad where glass walking is known as Bottle Dancing, Perry has been performing on the Venice Boardwalk for over 26 years.
Next time you’re on the beach, let Huba Huba show you a step or two!
We are here to be of service to one another…our planet…and all her creatures.
Riannon Marhi’s an acrylic painter who’s been exhibiting her art on Venice Beach for over three years.
I know the hell addicts walk through, because I was once there myself.
Since 2003 Prodigal Grace, consisting of members of the Venice Foursquare Church, has been “reaching the lost” in a community outreach effort. Pastor Steve Weller (left in yellow), after sixteen years of sober living himself, now helps to take the homeless off the streets and recover from addictions. You can read about his founding of Addicts For Christ at the Foursquare Church’s website.
Art is meant to beautify the world…not destroy it.
I caught up with Justin Case (as he likes to go by) on his second day on Venice Beach. Originally from Oklahoma, Justin paints because “it’s fun…I like the smiles.” He’s a green artist specializing in water soluable–environmentally safe materials. Latex paintings also have other unique qualities. For example, if different liquids touched the outside of the finished canvas it wouldn’t hurt the work of art.
We believe in one race…the human race.
Raymond Bartlette (center) is the leader of the Calypso Tumblers. He’s originally from St. Kitt in the Caribbean where he would teach 4H kids to survive on the streets by becoming “flippers” and “breakers.” The Calypso Tumblers are some of the best street performers around and they have a fantastic banter that includes warnings for young kids to stay away from drugs and alcohol. Check out Sharon Osbourne’s expression when they wow the crowd on America’s Got Talent!
Nathan Pino is a classically trained pianist who’s been performing on the Venice Boardwalk for over six years. He’s an outstanding musician who loves to play year-round on the beach. Even in the dead of winter, when most of the tourists are gone, I know that when I stroll down the boardwalk playing my guitar–there will be Nathan–caressing the keys. The link is to a video of him playing an original song of his “Sister Lucretia.”
Twenty-three years ago Sid Abel went to Yucatan, Mexico and discovered an underwater world of Carribean colors while snorkeling that has influenced her as an artist to this day. She’s an acrylic painter who’s been creating art in Venice for over 11 years while living on and off on Isla Mujeres (“Island of the Women”) in the gulf of Mexico–a small fishing village where she sold her first painting.
