The introductory sections are worth reading, locating Hall's body of work in the history of landscape painting (which I suspect will be significant!), in the local geography and geology, in her own personal history/memories there, and.as a commentary on human use of the land and water in the Point Reyes area. From these, the reader gets the sense of the largesse and intelligence and relevance of Hall's landscapes, yet it should be noted that the majority of paintings, modestly titled "Rocks and Sea," "The Beach," "Full Moon," are already in people's collections. A great American painter who obviously speaks to the souls of her audience.

I return to this compilation over and over, to rest, recalibrate and inspire my psyche. In addition to people who appreciate fine art, it is also appropriate for people in psychology, deep ecology, nature enthusiasts, those who live and work in the outdoors, and those in the meditative arts. I gave it to a writer to evoke his cherished spaces in Northern California.

Susan Hall's paintings of Point Reyes, part of the Point Reyes National Seashore, are sublime meditations on a very special landscape. And although the book is a tribute to this idyllic area, her paintings go beyond any physical setting. As I looked through the book I realized that I was turning the pages more slowly at each color plate. The simplicity of the format, the beauty and richness of the colors (which is too often the disappointment in reproductions) and the images themselves captured me and I was reluctant to go quickly. This is a successful representation of both the spirit and the amazing skill of Ms. Hall's work. I highly recommend it.

Susan Hall's Painting Point Reyes offers a lyrical gallery of rural landscapes wrought with the refined sensibility of an artist who cherishes her birthplace. Ms. Hall's selection of the spacious natural environment for her subject matter - California's stunning Point Reyes National Seashore - is as important as what she leaves out: all the peripheral contemporary distractions of billboards, crowds and cars. By haunting us with the universal through richly layered minimalist compositions often depicted under the diffuse light of night, she offers a spare and precious moment of touching the lagoons and pools, the hillsides and meadows she calls home.

The paintings are haunting and immediately transported me into a place from where I was able to see Pt Reyes spritually rather than literally. Susan's perspective of Pt. Reyes is unusual and soothing. Whether you know Pt Reyes or not, this is an opportunity to get intimate with one of America's greatest artists and look through her eyes at how she describes her place of childhood. Some of the paintings in this book are from private collections, so it was a treat for me to have in my living room, earlier work by Susan Hall, which is otherwise impossible to see, let alone own.

Painting Point Reyes is a real treasure. The collection of beautiful prints of Susan Hall's paintings provide an unparalleled look into the landscapes of Point Reyes through the paint brush of a native and outstanding artist. Her rich paintings are filled with emotion and capture a perspective of Point Reyes that one cannot see with the naked eye. This book resides on my coffee table and is hardly ever closed, people are drawn to it, and thus it is a perfect gift, both for those who know and love Point Reyes as well as those who simply enjoy fabulous art.