Mostly Santa Barbara, by long-time Santa Barbaran and artist Lynn Richardson, captures in pen-and-ink drawings what we know and remember of Santa Barbara. With humor and style all her own, Richardson has set down the businesses, buildings, and flavor that have made Santa Barbara the community we know and love.

Collected over a life-long career, Richardson's drawings are mostly of Santa Barbara, but include the surrounding areas and even capture some of San Francisco's old Victorian homes. The book contains an introduction by Richardson that chronicles her career and the city where most of it has taken place. Divided into sensible and accessible chapters--Buildings & Habitats; Businesses, Services & Offices; Interiors; Gardens, Plants & Trees; Beach & Shore; Animals; Holidays; Maps; and Objects & Borders--Mostly Santa Barbara remembers an assortment of Santa Barbara scenery.

Here we find landmarks of the past: La Paloma, a favorite Mexican restaurant for many (the recognizable building that is now home to the Paradise Cafe); the original location of Joe's Cafe; Mr. Kim's Chinese-American grocery, located on the corner of Santa Barbara Street and Canon Perdido (the Main Squeeze is there now); and the first location of Stampa Barbara, home to thousands of rubber stamps, many of which Richardson designed.

And Mostly Santa Barbara also contains drawings of places that are still here, including The Lobero Theatre; Santa Claus Lane (Richardson repainted the two-story tall Santa Claus that presides over the lane); and many streets, gardens, buildings, businesses, and interiors that we can still see in Santa Barbara. The book also presents various logos Richardson designed for businesses that are still in town, such as W.A. King, Cafe del Sol, and the Yes Store, as well as numerous drawings of homes, businesses, and gardens that Richardson was commissioned to draw.

Richardson's style is a recognizable one full of friendly animals and amusing details, and the dots and lines that personalize her art. Her drawings combine careful observation, playful good humor, and artistic skill. Mostly Santa Barbara will bring back memories and make new ones.

About the Author: Born in Los Angeles in 1942, Lynn Richardson is an artist who has lived and worked in Santa Barbara for over thirty years.