Watercolor brings county to life
Lightly faded pastels immersed in vast fields of jade and
classics of San Benito’s countryside are strewn across pages
teeming with rich text in a recently released book by a San Benito
native.
Watercolor brings county to life
Lightly faded pastels immersed in vast fields of jade and classics of San Benito’s countryside are strewn across pages teeming with rich text in a recently released book by a San Benito native. The colors used to portray the story of a time long ago are subtle and organic in nature but nonetheless poignant.
Author and illustrator Jo-an Berry Reynolds released a book entitled “Along the San Benito, A water Color Memoir.” With what started out as purely artistic interpretations – a few sketches of old family photos brought over by her niece, a genealogist – has turned into a collection of paintings.
The book highlights the family’s historic roots in San Benito County through a series of hand-drawn watercolor paintings. Familiar landscapes, old-fashioned farmhouses, and lush valleys lace the inside of the book, while scriptive handwriting etched on the pages tells a story of a pioneer’s journey to settle near what is known now as Pinnacles National Monument.
The author dedicated the book to her great-grandmother Elizabeth Quigley Shell Bacon, who settled in the county in the mid-1800s. While the book is by no stretch of the imagination a biography of the Bacon family, it does have a distinct quality resembling a timeline, with personal events trickled in throughout the pages to add flavor and significance.
The Bacon ranch seen in the book holds great importance to the area’s history and was a source of solace to travelers looking to explore the Pinnacles. Within the book there are brief epithets ranging from grizzlies to stage robbery’s to time-honored Memorial Day picnics. While much of the story centers around Bacon’s family and descendants, the story takes adequate time to immerse the reader in the environment, history and lifestyle of the era.
“Along the San Benito” is a perfect coffee table book for out-of-town friends to glance over as they discuss their weekly worries and daily diatribes. Any reader or artist interested in accounts of an area with a rich history should pick up a copy.
After reading through the book a few times, I was left feeling more connected with the family as well as the county. Being only 21, I find it difficult to truly relate to the way things used to be. I’ve grown up on paved roads and pay-per view, none of which has made me any more prepared for embracing and understanding the past. The book evoked an in-depth appreciation for the county and its respective history, bridging my disconnect by the means of color. The art in the book is soothing and pleasant with a hint of simplicity. All in all, the book is a lovely piece of art tied in with a little history, both personal and public.
Reynolds, who is 83 years old, has painted her entire life. In the last 20 years, she discovered the craft of watercoloring and Chinese brush painting.
For now, Reynolds is looking to find a home for her book at Pinnacles National Monument as well as possibly a store in town, yet to be determined. Interested readers who would like to purchase the book should contact Reynolds at 805-927-8015 or by mailing her at 433 Warwick St., Cambria, CA 93428-2323.
“Along the San Benito” is published through a San Luis Obispo publishing company, Poor Richards Press and is available for purchase in paperback.
