BigToe - artist Tom Laura — is one of the most recognizable creative forces in today’s Tiki, Kustom, and Surf art scenes. Raised in a big Italian family in Los Angeles and still rooted in Southern California, his life has always revolved around beach culture, surf travel, and the rebellious spirit that defines outsider lifestyles. From surfing the stretch between Baja and Malibu to absorbing the visual language of Mad Magazine, Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, and Rick Griffin, BigToe developed a style that blends humor, playful eroticism, and nostalgic escapism. It’s a style perfectly suited for anyone living a kustom life.
Art That Embodies the Kustom Spirit
BigToe’s work thrives at the intersection of Tiki, Kustom, and Surf cultures. While these worlds may appear different on the surface, they share a deep connection: each represents a renegade way of life. BigToe sees them as the last vestiges of wild west individuality — communities built on craftsmanship, creativity, and the thrill of living beyond the mainstream.
His artwork radiates tongue‑in‑cheek humor, retro fantasy, and a sense of escape from the fast-paced modern world. This makes his creations a natural fit for custom car builders, surf enthusiasts, tiki bar creators, hot‑rod dreamers, and anyone who curates their life with intention and personality.
A Global Presence in Tiki, Surf, and Kustom Culture
BigToe’s art has traveled far beyond Southern California. His work has been showcased in galleries across Los Angeles, Hawaii, San Diego, Orange County, New York, Detroit, Florida, Canada, Japan, France, England, Germany, Switzerland, and Australia. His collectors include cultural icons such as Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols and Debbie Harry of Blondie, as well as major organizations like Google.
His first decade of artwork is collected in the book Gratisfaction: The Inspirational Art of BigToe, and his pieces have appeared in numerous themed art books and magazines, including Kustom Graphics, Surf Story, Longboard Magazine, Car Kulture Deluxe, Tiki Magazine, Exotica Moderne, and MAD Magazine.
Art for Your Kustom Life: Prints, Originals, and Tiki Mugs
BigToeArt.com offers a wide range of artwork designed to fit seamlessly into any custom-built environment. Whether you’re decorating a home tiki bar, customizing a garage lounge, or curating a surf‑shack aesthetic, BigToe’s catalog has something for every vibe.
The shop features original acrylic paintings, custom bamboo-framed pieces, archival paper and canvas prints, tiki mugs, apparel, vintage skateboard paintings, and gift cards. Prints begin at accessible price points, making it easy for anyone to bring BigToe’s signature blend of surf culture, hot‑rod attitude, and tropical escapism into their space.
Why BigToe Art Belongs in Your Kustom World
BigToe’s art isn’t just decoration — it’s a lifestyle statement. It celebrates individuality, craftsmanship, humor, irreverence, and the freedom of outsider culture. For those who build their world around custom cars, surfboards, tiki bars, retro aesthetics, or handcrafted living, BigToe’s work amplifies that identity. His creations transform any space into a vibrant, rebellious, tropical escape — the perfect environment for those who live life on their own terms.
BigToe, also known as Tom Laura, is a Southern California artist whose life has been shaped by surfing from Baja to Malibu, sketching Mad Magazine and Ed Roth characters, and years spent in the surf apparel industry. After raising two daughters and traveling to Hawaii, Samoa, Baja, and Mexico, he returned to painting with a style defined by tongue‑in‑cheek humor, playful eroticism, and nostalgic escapism. His work blends Tiki, Kustom, and Surf cultures—outsider lifestyles he sees as the last wild west renegades—and has been exhibited in galleries across the U.S. and worldwide, collected by icons like Steve Jones, Debbie Harry, and Google. BigToe’s art has appeared in numerous books and magazines, including Gratisfaction, Kustom Graphics, Surf Story, Longboard Magazine, Car Kulture Deluxe, Tiki Magazine, Exotica Moderne, and MAD Magazine.
BigToe, also known as Tom Laura, is a Southern California artist whose life has been shaped by surfing from Baja to Malibu, sketching Mad Magazine and Ed Roth characters, and years spent in the surf apparel industry. After raising two daughters and traveling to Hawaii, Samoa, Baja, and Mexico, he returned to painting with a style defined by tongue‑in‑cheek humor, playful eroticism, and nostalgic escapism. His work blends Tiki, Kustom, and Surf cultures—outsider lifestyles he sees as the last wild west renegades—and has been exhibited in galleries across the U.S. and worldwide, collected by icons like Steve Jones, Debbie Harry, and Google. BigToe’s art has appeared in numerous books and magazines, including Gratisfaction, Kustom Graphics, Surf Story, Longboard Magazine, Car Kulture Deluxe, Tiki Magazine, Exotica Moderne, and MAD Magazine.
Bring BigToe Into Your Kustom Life
Explore the full catalog of prints, originals, mugs, and apparel at BigToeArt.com and bring home artwork that embodies the renegade spirit of Tiki, Kustom, and Surf culture. BigToe’s creations are more than art — they’re fuel for your kustom life.
Visit his website for more info and to view his art available for sale
