Don Crocker: Love of Place is a showcase of California local scene and recent experimental works in recognition of this painter’s many contributions to PVAC. The artist attended his first stained glass workshop at PVAC with local glass artist Gary Straub after moving to Palos Verdes in the early 1970s, and presented his large-scale stained glass windows in the inaugural exhibition at The Artists’ Studio. In 2000, he changed his focus to painting; attending workshops at PVAC and later immersing himself in the work of Russian Impressionist Ovanes Berberian and well-respected regional outdoor painters, from whom he learned his mastery of sunsets and the night sky. His nocturnal landscapes were celebrated in a 2014 solo exhibition, Don Crocker: Colors of Twilights, accompanied by a full-color catalogue. Don is an artist member of the California Art Club and a signature member of The American Impressionist Society.
A native Californian, Crocker’s love of place began in his youth as an avid hiker with the Scouts and Sierra Club. After retiring from successful careers in law and crisis management, he put his full attention into painting seasonal landscapes in a variety of Golden State locations, but is best known for views of his beloved Palos Verdes coastline, captured both day and night, in a plein air style inspired by California Impressionism. The one figural painting, Flower Harvesters, is what remains of an early series harkening back to French Impressionist subject matter depicting fieldworkers harvesting their crops in locations such as this in Camarillo, documenting a disappearing landscape. More recently, in a return to the materials he used in his stained glass work, the artist began experimenting with the effects of acid on copper, embracing the unpredictable chemical process and resulting colors achieved with this medium.
Over the course of his many years at PVAC, Don Crocker has exhibited in various group exhibitions, taught numerous workshops for adults and children, and demonstrated his expertise in plein air painting for the general public. His paintings are in the collections of many South Bay residents. In addition to being a longtime member of The Artists’ Studio and Artists Open Group, Don served on the Board of Trustees as President for four years and Chairman for six years, and is stepping down at the age of 86. We thank Don for his support of Palos Verdes Art Center.
