This serendipitous collaboration of painter and poet began in the fall of 2024, when Brenda noticed several of Jon’s poems posted online, leading to an idea exchange (Ojai to Oahu), gallery shows and books, notably Brenda’s Eastside Fall 2024 show in Santa Barbara and Jon’s book of Santa Barbara poems, Salsipuedes and the publication of three Santa Barbara-themed poems in Santa Barbara Literary Journal.
Jon arranged a visit to Ojai on New Year’s Eve, and returned to Ojai in March 2025 for immersive studio time, surrounding himself with Brenda’s paintings, observing her artistic process and ideating on what a collaborative book could be. A third meeting transpired a month later at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, a place both of them know well.
The idea here is for Jon to write poems inspired by Brenda’s paintings, known as exphrastic, Greek for description. And then, in turn, Brenda would select several poems composed by Jon, which resonate with her work. We have curated four of those exphrastic poems here in this book, and added four Brenda paintings from her recent solo show at Channel Islands Maritime Museum in Oxnard, plus four poems from Jon that Brenda likes.
This book also includes an essay that Jon has written about Brenda’s art, based on his Ojai visits. Brenda and Jon are both natives of Santa Barbara, both graduates of Santa Barbara High School. Jon grew up in the Goleta Valley and much of his work is influenced by the Chumash heritage of the Gaviota coast and Santa Barbara backcountry.
Brenda is part-Chumash, of the Barbareno tribe. This clothbound coffee table book is planned for publication and release in 2026.
Each Presale purchase will include a numbered, signed edition of the hardback book and the purchaser’s (or honoree) name listed in the Acknowledgements*. Presales allow us to secure the production of the book at reduced cost. 200 copies will be donated to local schools, museums and the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center.
Your copy of Listening to the Light will be delivered to you at a series of book launch events in Santa Barbara and Ventura in 2026 (art gallery shows, bookstores, cultural centers) or mailed.
Pre-Order Listening to the Light
This serendipitous collaboration of painter and poet began in the fall of 2024, when Brenda noticed several of Jon’s poems posted online, leading to an idea exchange (Ojai to Oahu), gallery shows and books, notably Brenda’s Eastside Fall 2024 show in Santa Barbara and Jon’s book of Santa Barbara poems, Salsipuedes and the publication of three Santa Barbara-themed poems in Santa Barbara Literary Journal.
Jon arranged a visit to Ojai on New Year’s Eve, and returned to Ojai in March 2025 for immersive studio time, surrounding himself with Brenda’s paintings, observing her artistic process and ideating on what a collaborative book could be. A third meeting transpired a month later at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, a place both of them know well.
The idea here is for Jon to write poems inspired by Brenda’s paintings, known as exphrastic, Greek for description. And then, in turn, Brenda would select several poems composed by Jon, which resonate with her work. We have curated four of those exphrastic poems here in this book, and added four Brenda paintings from her recent solo show at Channel Islands Maritime Museum in Oxnard, plus four poems from Jon that Brenda likes.
This book also includes an essay that Jon has written about Brenda’s art, based on his Ojai visits. Brenda and Jon are both natives of Santa Barbara, both graduates of Santa Barbara High School. Jon grew up in the Goleta Valley and much of his work is influenced by the Chumash heritage of the Gaviota coast and Santa Barbara backcountry.
Brenda is part-Chumash, of the Barbareno tribe. This clothbound coffee table book is planned for publication and release in 2026.
Each Presale purchase will include a numbered, signed edition of the hardback book and the purchaser’s (or honoree) name listed in the Acknowledgements*. Presales allow us to secure the production of the book at reduced cost. 200 copies will be donated to local schools, museums and the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center.
Your copy of Listening to the Light will be delivered to you at a series of book launch events in Santa Barbara and Ventura in 2026 (art gallery shows, bookstores, cultural centers) or mailed.