Leeteg: Babes, Bars, Beaches, and Black Velvet Art

Iconoclast, contrarian, pugilist, artist—Edgar Leeteg is unforgettable.

Considered the “American Gaugin,” the rakish ladies’ man originated the modern technique of oil painting on black velvet, a style made famous by the Tiki art craze of the twentieth century.

With just a few paint brushes and oils, Leeteg left California in 1933 for the South Pacific. His home in Tahiti allowed him to paint, drink, and party, earning a reputation as...