Local Artists at Lemons & Sugar Gift Shop in Lunada Bay

Gifts and Home Accessories

Local Artists at Lemons & Sugar Gift Shop in Lunada Bay

Donald W. Crocker, Oil Painter

Artist Statement: As a native Californian, my muse has always been the early California Impressionists who painted our State’s natural beauty post Statehood and pre-subdivision, emphasizing the amazing light at all times of the day and night. I often paint at sunrise, sunset and in the moonlight. My focus is local scenes of land, sea and sky from Palos Verdes to north of Santa Barbara and wilderness areas, including Alaska.

Workers harvesting California’s beautiful crops are another interest. The “plein air” lighting for my painting is often before the Sun’s direct rays have yet warmed the earth or when it’s mostly done with its day’s work and the evening’s light is the primary source of beautiful illumination.

Art Experience: Juried to both galleries of the Palos Verdes Artists Studio, signature member of the American Impressionists Society, board member of SCAPE, and artist member of the California Art Club (CAC). Trained “en plein air” under OAK Group, artists Marcia Burtt, Thomas Van Stein, John Comer, Richard Schloss, and Allan Drury; California Art Club Academy courses with Ray Roberts, John Budicin, Calvin Liang and Mian Situ; Plein Air Painters of America President, Kenn Backhaus, five PAPA member artists in Winter Park, Ovanes Berberian in Idaho, and CAC artists Greg Hull, Camille Przewodek and Meridith Abbott.

Have had multiple art works in American Impressionists Society and California Art Club juried shows; and PVAC exhibitions and was a specially featured artist in shows in 2003 and 2004, 2006 and 2007.

Have been juried into numerous Santa Barbara Natural History Museum Art Walk shows and various all-member PVAC shows. Have extensively painted “en plein air” on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Santa Barbara and Ventura County coastlines and mountains, San Gabriel Mountains, High Sierra and wilderness Alaska, including sunrise and sunset, daylight and moonlight, and the aurora borealis.

Jan Napolitan, Ceramic Artist

Jan has been a ceramic artist for over thirty years and a long time resident of Palos Verdes Estates.

Artist Statement: With a background in painting and drawing, my focus was immediately changed when I took my first ceramics class. I was challenged by the whole process - wheel throwing, hand building, variety of forms, glazes, embellishments, and types of firings. Continuing my arts education through classes and workshops has enabled me to explore new techniques, as well as refine those already learned. I have been fortunate to have studied with many internationally and nationally recognized ceramic artists. At present, I am passing along their information and skills and the processes I have learned and used from thirty plus years to my students.

I create one of a kind pieces. My sculpturally oriented forms have been displayed in one woman exhibitions, groups exhibitions, and invitationals and have won numerous awards. Private and university collections in Europe, Japan, South America, and the United States have included my work.

My functional stoneware kitchen and dining pieces can be used at a feast, but also are a “feast for the eye.” It is satisfying to know my functional ware is uses and enjoyed daily.

John Phillips, Author

John Phillips, a fourth generation Californian, was born in Redondo Beach in 1966. His education included Southern California’s West Torrance High and El Camino College, as well as trade school. Presently, he resides in Palos Verdes Estates with his wife and three children.

Visits to Hearst Castle and San Diego’s Balboa Park as a boy formed a lasting impression and gave him a lifelong appreciation for architecture and history. An entrepreneur at an early age, he began a career in the construction industry which has allowed him access to some of Los Angeles’s architectural gems.

A creative streak lean him to real estates development which along with the design and building of his first two residences gave him the confidence to take on his most recent achievement; the painstaking historical restoration of his 1927 vintage Palos Verdes Estates home.

While doing research for his restoration project, he became inspired by the wonderful local history collection of the Palos Verdes Library District and its staff. The idea arose to put some of what he had learned into a book and the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition to become published was realized.

He recently spearheaded an effort as a member of Palos Verdes Estates’ Malaga Cove Homeowners Association to help raise funds for the beautification of the historic Malaga Cove School. He remains very interested in civic issues especially those related to Palos Verdes Estates’ historic buildings and their preservation.

Bobbie Rich, Fine Art Instructor and Painter

Bobbie Rich is a fine art instructor and painter.  Bobbie's work celebrates her command of color and her vivid view of the wonders around us.  Her oils on canvas are featured in private collections all over the world.  With over 10 years of teaching experience and many devoted students we are excited to have Bobbie teaching in the studio at Lemons & Sugar.

Click Here for Bobbie's Classes

Tom Stephen-Hassard, Wood Turner

Artist Statement: I have been a wood turner for many years and now in retirement find even more satisfaction in turning what is beautiful as well as functional.

For me, wood turning is an exhilarating experience. Ad adventure, with the elements of excitement, suspense, patience and the ultimate joy of having created something beautiful.

Most of my bowl turnings have undergone the turning process twice. My rough turned bowls will spend several months to years drying out in paper sacks. The paper sack prevents the wood from drying out too quickly and while the wood may warp and shrink, it normally will not crack. A final turning will yield a stable bowl that will sit flat on a table and maintain its shape beautifully.

Whether it’s a wine stopper, pen or ice cream scoop, I’ve tried to combine the best in natural and man-made materials to create an attractive, useful and timeless product.

Mike Stocksdale, Musician

It’s been said that Mike Stocksdale writes like Paul Simon for a new generation. His songs are an eclectic mix of contemporary folk, roots rock, and alternative country music.

Mike is a graduate of PV Peninsula High School and Indiana University, where he launched his music career with a song on the annual Live from Bloomington compilation album. His band Three Minute Mile was voted “The Best in Bloomington” and was invited to play at the 2001 Farm Aid Concert for America, featuring Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp. Following the release of their album in 2002, the band lived and performed in Chicago, the Midwest, and Los Angeles opening for well-known performers like The Foo Fighters, OKGO, and Michelle Branch.

At the end of 2003, Mike moved back to Los Angeles to produce his first solo album Searching for September and to further his education at the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, where he was recognized as best songwriter/performer in the annual artist development competition. He continued to perfect his songwriting style and guitar skills, found his voice as a singer, and formed a new band that can be seen live in L.A. and beach cities.

Since 2003, Mike has released two more CDs that are sold on iTunes, The Hill, and his latest in 2009, Chase You. Music Connection Magazine critics placed him at the top of the charts for the year 2009 touting him as best indie artist based on production, lyrics, music, vocals, and musicianship. Mike is currently recording his next CD that will be released in 2011.

Follow him on: Facebook, Twitter, Reverbnation, and My Space
For more info and show schedule visit: www.mikestocksdale.com

Fred J. Straeter, Plein Air Painter

Fred J. Straeter III A.K.A. Fred, has been capturing the charm of the peninsula for many years.  Fred is a plein air painter and long time Lunada Bay resident.  His admiration and respect for our local environment define his work as a painter and a coastal, environmental sculptor.

AnneMarie Wargin, Painter

AnneMarie Wargin captures the wonder of the Palos Verdes peninsula in each of her paintings.  Living here since she was 10 years old, her art has always been inspired by the views around us.  Each of her works, whether in oil, acrylic, watercolor, or now, in her new found love of etching, she creates images of beauty based on our local surroundings.




Lemons & Sugar Gift Shop

Lemons & Sugar Gifts
2325 Palos Verdes Dr. West, #220
Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
(310) 544-7100
shop@lemonsandsugar.com