Jean Stern, author of the first part of the book, 1880-1925, is the Executive Director of The Irvine Museum. An authority on California Impressionism, he co-authored California: This Golden Land of Promise and has contributed to several books about California artists. He also appears in the PBS documentary series Impressions of California: Early Currents in Art, 1850-1930. Molly Siple, who wrote the second half of the book, 1925-2009, is an Artist Member of the California Art Club. She contributed to the book Enchanted Isle: A History of Plein Air Painting in Santa Catalina Island and has written for such magazines as American Artist and Workshop.