The Man with the World's Longest Tongue Uses It for Painting

"Art is an outlet for absurdity. My life is an outlet for absurdity. I'm not one to be very concerned with fitting in." - Nick Stoeberl

by Beckett Mufson

September 17, 2015, 6:30pm

via @NickStoeberl

What would you do if you had the Guiness Book of World Records-certified longest tongue on the planet? Well, Monterey resident Nick Stoeberl lives that dream, and he's doing it right using his massive taster to make art. Clocking in at 3.97 inches, Stoeberl's tongue is hefty enough to be used as a paint brush, a fact he discovered from Indian YouTuber Ani K in the process of his World Record research. Stoeberl humbly tells The Creators Project, "Having a long tongue isn't a talent, it's a gift. If you know how to use a God-given gift, you can call that talent."

For Stoerberl, using this gift means wrapping his tongue in plastic and making paintings with the simplicity that comes from trying to make shapes with an organ designed for more subtle things, like talking and eating. He calls the technique "licking," (probably because when he "licks" innuendo-y images like his "favorite animal"—the beaver—it elicits a slight snicker from my inner 12-year-old). "Recently I've licked a beaver, and Steve Harvey," Stoeberl quips. His other masterpieces include a bow tie, a martini, a chocolate-covered strawberry, and several abstract masses of tongue-stroked color, each with its own story about why he painted them.

Images courtesy the artist

Right now he's trying to turn his gift from on-high into a YouTube channel called "The Tongue Show," in which he licks things with his tongue and puts on various personas to create reasons for himself to lick things. Truthfully, seeing the world's longest tongue in action, covering whole canvases in blocks of color with his irreplicable tongue strokes, is mesmerizing. "Art is an outlet for absurdity. My life is an outlet for absurdity. I'm not one to be very concerned with fitting in," he says.

Grateful for the fact that that Stoeberl has decided to channel his prowess into the creative arts, The Creators Project decided to ask him a few questions about his practice, "licking," and what he's doing with his life.

The Creators Project: When did you realize you had a long tongue?

Nick Stoeberl: I have always been aware of my body. Some parts are long, other parts are… long. When I was boy I went on a family vacation on a cruise to Mexico, and on that cruise I entered a talent show. Simply put, I whipped it out and the people liked it. Having a long tongue isn't a talent, it's a gift. If you know how to use a God-given gift, you can call that talent.

Does having a mammoth mouth slug like that ever get annoying?

It is annoying when its bitten, otherwise it's not an inconvenience. I don't mind taking photographs with people—whether or not they request my tongue be in the picture. I'm more likely to choke on my tongue and die while sleeping.

What made you decide to use that thing to make paintings?

It's a bit more intimate than a paintbrush.

On Youtube I discovered Ani K, and Indian school teacher who paints with his tongue, when I was doing research on tongues before setting a new world record. Ani K experienced headaches, nausea, and other side effects of painting with his tongue—don't even know if he's alive. He inspired me to paint, so he may be a good teacher. I've adapted my own technique—I use protection (plastic wrap around my tongue).

I've labeled my technique "licking".

Tell me about your process. What kind of paint do you use (non-toxic, I hope)? Etc.

My first painting appears overtly sexual and obscure. I just placed the paint and moved my tongue about the canvas. I took my time.

In my journal, I'll sketch out what i want on the canvas. With pencil I draw out what I want on the canvas. I cover my tongue in plastic wrap. Place the paint on my tongue Shape the paint into a pointed edge on my tongue using a tooth pick. Apply the paint.

What inspires you to paint?

I paint what entertains me. Recently I've licked a beaver, and Steve Harvey.

My Nana always makes me chocolate-covered strawberries when I visit, and I enjoy wearing bowties.

The Martini was inspired by my fondness of James Bond films.

Who are your favorite artists? Whose work has inspired yours?

Koko the Gorilla is near the top. Picasso. Ani K is one of my favorites, his work is good. Andy Warhol's pop art inspired the project I'm working on now.

Do you know any other tongue painters? Do you hang out and swap tongue painting tips?

Yeah. Adrianne Lewis has a massive tongue. She's recently uploaded a vid on her channel painting a monkey. It was great. We met in Los Angeles and hung out for a bit. She's sweet.

Admittedly, your position seems kind of ridiculous, a perspective you seem to have embraced on your YouTube show. It's not polished, and it seems like you're mostly trying to have fun. How do you see yourself fitting into the art world?

I had my comedian friends over before a performance one night, and my friend Maxwell laughed at my tongue paintings hung on my wall—I'm conscious of the absurdity. Art is an outlet for absurdity. My life is an outlet for absurdity. I'm not one to be very concerned with fitting in.

I enjoy being in the presence of creation—so far living in Los Angeles has been fairly inspiring. There are so many galleries (like my hometown Monterey, Carmel), I get to be on TV, I've started modeling and took part in my first professional runway event.

Do you identify as an artist, a showman, a world record holder?

I am a World Record Holder. I use my gifts to create art. I enjoy performance: singing, comedy, painting—my YouTube channel is a vehicle to exercise my talents. I'm only five shows deep.

What's next for you?

I want to work from home, so please subscribe to my YouTube channel. I'm working on a difficult project right now—this is good. After every licking I learn a new trick. I thank the wonderful people who follow me, and have a shared entertainment. I remain amused.

My fan page started as a page where I review mechanical fans, now I can share my YouTube channel on it. I appreciate having people to share with.