Sam Hyde Harris, an early California plein aire landscape painter, earned his living as an artist from 1903, at the age of 14, until he passed away in 1977. This book offers a glimpse of his sometimes outrageous personality and insight into his methods and styles. It enables readers to witness his ability to communicate, both visually and verbally, what he internalized and gave back in the form of wonderful, bright images. It demonstrates his two distinct early styles of easel painting and the blending of those styles later in his career, as well as his teaching and philosophy. Sam's distinct styles are brought together in over 400 images that show the progression and refinement of his subject and technique. By including the different stages of a work of art-pencil drawings, work-up sketches, maquettes, and the final forms-the illustrations do what words sometimes can not accomplish. This informative book contains visual lessons for the art historian and artist, and essays by leading California historian Marion Yoshiki-Kovinick and contemporary California artist Gary Lang. It is a comprehensive record of the art, exhibitions, and the words of this important 20th century artist.