Plant Portraits: The California Legacy of A. R. Valentien, published in 2003 (Hardbound) Smith has long felt a

Smith has long felt a deep connection to the Golden State

the Crocker Art Museum

and dedicated theatre professional whose discerning eye

Biographies of 42 artists

Plant Portraits: The California Legacy of A. R. Valentien, published in 2003 (Hardbound) Smith has long felt aBy Margaret Dykens, Jean Stern, and others The definitive book on Albert R. Valentien, the original Chief Decorator for the Rookwood Pottery Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio, Valentien came to San Diego in 1903 and was commissioned to paint the flora of California by Ellen Browning Scripps. This book illustrates the best of his elegant watercolors of California's plants. 212 pages, 325 color plates Hardbound edition