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Huntington Beach, CA, USA
Storytelling through art, history, and a little coastal magic
Welcome to Toni Haas’s Artist Gallery
commissioned artwork Sepia Watercolor & Gouache
Dwight’s Circa 1932 - Sepia Watercolor & Gouache
Created as a commissioned piece for Dwight’s Beach Concession, this artwork captures the playful spirit and early days of Huntington Beach when sun umbrellas dotted the sand, and beachgoers gathered for simple seaside fun. Founded in 1932, Dwight’s was the very first concession on the beach—serving generations of locals and visitors as a hub of coastal life just steps from the shore. Painted in warm sepia watercolor and gouache, Dwight’s Circa 1932 blends nostalgia with whimsy, celebrating a time when beach days were unhurried, community mattered, and the shoreline buzzed with laughter, towels, and timeless summer rituals. This piece honors not just a place, but a living piece of Huntington Beach history.
Company names are used for identification purposes only. All artwork © Toni Haas
Serving Sunshine Since ’32
Commissioned Character Design
Watercolor and Technical Pens
As part of Dwight’s creative rebrand, Toni Haas created a cast of original characters inspired by the stand’s most iconic menu items, channeling the playful cool of the classic drive-in era.
Leading the lineup is the legendary tortilla strip—reimagined as a bold, confident ringleader with undeniable swagger—setting the tone for the whole crew. Close behind is the world-famous basket of cheese strips, brought to life as an exuberant fan favorite, along with a fearless, saucy sidekick (because let’s be honest… it’s all about the sauce!).
Illustrated with mid-century flair and beach-town attitude, these characters capture the fun, flavor, and carefree spirit of classic Southern California.
GUESS WHAT? They’ve even leapt off the page as plushies, letting fans take a piece of Dwight’s retro-cool world home with them.
Together, they transform Dwight’s into more than a place to grab a bite—it becomes a living, playful world where history, food, and surf-town culture collide.
Dwight's Beach Concession Custom Sign Design & Painting | Huntington Beach, California
Dwight’s Rebranding - Acrylic on Wood
It was an honor to design and hand-paint this custom wood sign that Rich Clapp made for Dwight's Beach Concession, the original beach concession in Huntington Beach, and the city's longest-operating business. Founded in 1932 by Dwight Clapp, Dwight's has been a beloved part of Surf City USA for generations.
Dwight recognized early on that tourism would become Huntington Beach's future. After noticing beachgoers needed cold drinks and umbrella rentals, he opened a small concession in the back of the original Huntington Beach lifeguard tower. Nearly a century later, Dwight's remains a cherished destination for locals and visitors alike.
The sign was created to celebrate the colorful history and spirit of Dwight's, highlighting the beach rentals, surf culture, gift shop, and world-famous cheese strips that have become a Huntington Beach tradition. The vibrant hand-painted design reflects the fun, nostalgia, and community pride that define this iconic family business.
Pictured with me is Jack Clapp, Dwight's son, who has operated the concession since the mid-1970s and helped preserve its legacy through decades of change. Following a devastating fire in January 2025, Dwight's is undergoing renovation and preparing for its next century of serving the Huntington Beach community. Today, Jack is proudly passing the business to the next generation, ensuring the Clapp family legacy continues.
Projects like this are especially meaningful to me because they combine my passions for art, storytelling, local history, and preserving the unique character of Huntington Beach. Being entrusted to create artwork for one of the city's most historic landmarks was both an honor and a privilege.
Artist: Toni Haas
Medium: Acrylic on wood
Wood Sign creation: Rich Clapp
Location: Dwight's Beach Concession, Huntington Beach, California
Company names are used for identification purposes only. All artwork © Toni Haas
Dwight's Beach Concession Tote Bag & Apron Surface Pattern Design & Merchandise Development
Custom Merchandise & Brand Pattern Design
Dwight's Beach Concession Merchandise Design
A custom fabric pattern inspired by Dwight's famous Cheese Strips and nearly 100 years of Huntington Beach history. Designed for tote bags, aprons, and specialty merchandise, the artwork brings a beloved local tradition to life through playful illustration and surface design.
The project showcases my passion for creating artwork that connects local history, illustration, and product design, helping businesses tell their stories through unique merchandise that customers can enjoy and share.
Artist & Designer: Toni Haas
Location: Dwight's Beach Concession, Huntington Beach, California
Company names are used for identification purposes only. All artwork © Toni Haas
Let's Go Surf! Puzzle
Let's Go Surf!
This is an original children's puzzle and activity set created by author and illustrator Toni Haas. Inspired by the colorful surf culture and beach lifestyle of Huntington Beach, the collection features playful canine characters, vibrant surfboards, and original artwork designed to spark creativity and imagination.
The 48-piece puzzle is thoughtfully sized like a placemat, making it perfect for restaurants, airplane travel, road trips, waiting rooms, and family outings. Designed to encourage hands-on play and meaningful interaction, Let's Go Surf! offers children and families a fun way to unplug, spend time together, and enjoy a break from electronic devices while exploring the adventurous spirit of Surf City.
All artwork © Toni Haas
Goodnight surf city, A huntington bEach bedtime story!
Goodnight Surf City is a beautifully illustrated bedtime story that celebrates the heart and spirit of Huntington Beach, California.
Created by local author and illustrator Toni Haas, this charming picture book takes young readers on a gentle goodnight journey through beloved Surf City landmarks, beachside adventures, and the coastal community so many families call home.
Filled with colorful artwork, local pride, and a touch of seaside magic, Goodnight Surf City is a keepsake for residents, visitors, and anyone who loves Huntington Beach. It's the perfect bedtime story for children and a treasured gift for families, grandparents, and beach lovers of all ages.
Available online now.
Signed copies are also available by request.
For signed books, special events, school visits, or retail inquiries, please contact goodnightsurfcity@gmail.com.
If you purchase your copy through an online retailer, reviews are greatly appreciated and help other families discover Goodnight Surf City! Thank you for your support!
Artwork Sepia & Gouache on Paper
Dwight’s Circa 1948
Sepia Watercolor & Gouache
Rendered in sepia watercolor and gouache, the piece evokes the warmth of vintage photographs, capturing a pivotal post–World War II moment in the late 1940s when Dwight’s expanded into a drive-in at Pacific Coast Highway and Beach Boulevard. During this period, drive-ins flourished across Southern California, reflecting the rise of automobile culture and the changing rhythms of postwar life near the Huntington Beach Pier.
The scene features women working as carhops, a hallmark of mid-century drive-in culture, who served customers directly at their cars and became recognizable figures of the era. Their uniforms, gestures, and interactions—alongside period vehicles and architecture—illustrate the optimism, social connection, and everyday rituals that defined this chapter of American history.
Through Dwight’s Circa 1932, history is not merely documented but thoughtfully re-imagined, preserving a meaningful slice of Huntington Beach’s cultural past and inviting viewers to step back in time to experience the stories, spirit, and community that once gathered along the coast.
Company names are used for identification purposes only. All artwork © Toni Haas
Digital Art
Step into a world of digital art and discover the limitless possibilities of this exciting medium. Toni Haas's digital art is a true testament to the power of technology and creativity.
Illustrator
In addition to her commissioned and character-driven work, Toni Haas is actively illustrating children’s books that blend art, storytelling, and local history. She is currently collaborating with historian and author Chris Epting on Time Surfers, the first title in the Hidden History Explorers series. The book introduces young readers to the rich and surprising history of Huntington Beach, California, through imaginative time-travel adventures and vibrant illustrations. Time Surfers is scheduled for release in late spring / early summer, inviting children and families to discover local history in a fun, engaging, and visually immersive way.
Your Idea, My Paintbrush!
Dwight Clapp, circa 1932
Sepia and gouache watercolor on paper
Painted by Toni Haas, Artist, this work was created as a special gift for Jack Clapp, Dwight Clapp’s son, honoring both family and legacy.
Inspired by early Huntington Beach beach-era imagery from around 1932, the painting reflects Dwight’s role in the formative years of Dwight’s and the pioneering coastal culture of the time.
With Dwight’s preparing to re-open, this enduring legacy continues—connecting generations through tradition, community, and place.
Custom Artwork
Want something personal?
Toni offers custom, one-of-a-kind artwork created just for you. You bring the idea.
Toni brings it to life—brushstroke by brushstroke.
Surfing into Fall. Currently on sale and displayed at the Huntington Beach Int'l Surfing MUSEUM.
This painting is part of the Surfing into Seasons series of (4) paintings. Artwork can be printed on a variety of surfaces, including canvas, fine art paper, and more.
Custom Work
Custom Painting – H.B. Corner Market
This custom painting of H.B. Corner Market was created by Toni Haas, an Artist, for Suzanne, the owner, to celebrate her community impact and the market’s legacy as a local landmark.
Rendered in watercolors and technical pen, the piece captures the character, charm, and everyday familiarity that make the market such a meaningful part of the Huntington Beach community.
Through careful line work and layered washes of color, the painting blends architectural detail with a sense of place—celebrating not just the building itself, but the stories, memories, and neighborhood spirit it represents.