A Guide to the Best of Southern California : HANDMADE : From the Laboratories of Dr. Neon

DR. NEON’S ORIGINAL lighting prescriptions take off in wild, modern directions. Otherwise known as Alexander Evans, this self-styled practitioner of the neon arts is headquartered at Dr. Neon Laboratories Inc. in Laguna Beach. Dr. Neon’s slashes of color can wind in any direction that bent glass tubing can take them. The repertoire includes an 8-foot dragon ($5,500) and a giant Ferrari sign ($850). More modest designs available are a potted cactus ($175) and a potted palm ($275). Smaller designs, such as tropical fish and parrots, go for as little as $100.

Electricity courses through a mixture of gases, which are captured in sealed glass tubing to create the vivid colors. According to Dr. Neon assistant Carli Gargano, these lights can be left on day and night, since they require very little electricity. In fact, there are some neon lights that are still going strong after 60 years.

Dr. Neon Laboratories Inc., 3275 Laguna Canyon Road, Unit Q, Laguna Beach, (714) 494-4020.