Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

~ John W. Howell
Credit – John Pavart, supplied to ABC News.

Today’s good news comes from the Good News Network.

Local Artist’s Painted Coconuts Have Become a Sensation–and Are Now Found All Over the World

By

Andy Corbley –

 

Artists come from all corners, in all shapes and sizes, and from every race and religion; John Pavart and his painted coconuts are a perfect example.

The former opal miner turned painter from Australia’s state of New South Wales has been painting coconut husks for years, leaving them around the beaches of Magnetic Island for tourists and travelers to find.

It’s become one of the chief charms of the island, even though Pavart started it on a lark.

“I just happened to have a bit of art gear on me and thought I’d pick one up and paint it,” he said, detailing the phenomenon’s remarkably simple origin. “I put it down, and someone picked it up, and they seemed to like it, so I just kept doing it.”

They often depict sea life and beachscapes, and by now, the thin “grey nomad,” a term used to describe Australians in their 50s who move around for months out of the year, believes he’s painted over 750 of them.

“Lots of people have found one, and it puts a smile on someone’s face,” Mr. Pavart told ABC News Au. “I’ve got them in Brazil, Spain, England—they’re all over the world.

Pavart’s coconuts are now so in demand he occasionally has to leave Magnetic Island for Queensland, the nearest continental shoreline, to look for more.

Some of the coconuts have made it to Spain – credit John Pavart, supplied to ABC News.

Once painted, he will leave a picture as a clue on a Facebook page he started to trigger a free treasure hunt, which routinely attracts many of the kids in the island’s town.

He joked with ABC that between himself and the rats, the beaches are completely clear of coconuts.

The good news in this story is one man is spreading cheer and goodwill for no other reason than to do it.

Today’s JohnKy talks about fun. I hope you have a great weekend.

Fun by John W. Howell © 2024

The world in chaos,

Needs a fun reason to smile . . .

Coconuts do it.

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Published by John W. Howell

I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two. I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.

66 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News”

  9. I love this. Creating and sharing art for fun. And causing smiles from those lucky enough to find a coconut. John, thanks for writing all this on a coconut of a post and sharing it with us.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Cool idea on a global scale. One of the teachers at our local university paints colorful rocks with positive messages on them with her students. Then they scatter the rocks around campus and other students come across them.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Love this story, John.

    No high tech, no modern innovations, just old fashioned art and a kind, fun loving spirit.

    Art is an important component of life.

    So are JohnKu’s.

    I’m happy to hear the rats are still getting a share.

    🥥𝖃 🥥🐀 🐀 Ẍ

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Rats are cute, unless they come in the house.
        OR burrow tunnels into your garden.
        OR hang at your feet on restaurant patios.
        OR watch me take pics of art in the alley… ..okay, they are kinda cute in the alley.
        😊X 😊X 😁X 🐂

        Liked by 1 person

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