Book Signing: “The Man Beneath the Paint: California Impressionist Tilden Daken” by Bonnie Portnoy

Celebrate the shared 150th anniversary of two extraordinary figures in early California history; Jack London and his friend Tilden Daken (1876-1935), one of the most adventurous painters in the American West.

Join author Bonnie Portnoy on June 14, 2026 from noon to 3:00 p.m. for a special book signing on the 150th birthday of Tilden Daken, her grandfather, at Jack London State Historic Park in the historic House of Happy Walls.

Born in 1876—the same year as Jack London—Daken shared a spirit of adventure that carried the two men across the American West, including early days riding the rails together. Following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Daken settled in Glen Ellen, where his life and artistic career became deeply intertwined with the Sonoma Valley landscape—and with London’s enduring legacy.

“The Man Beneath the Paint” presents an intimate portrait of Tilden Daken as both artist and adventurer and features more than 250 illustrations of his California paintings. The book also offers vivid, little-known stories of his friendship with London in Sonoma County. It includes a foreword by Matt Leffert, Executive Director of Jack London Park Partners, and a testimonial by Armando Quintero, Director of California State Parks.

All proceeds from book sales at this event (100%) will be donated to Jack London State Historic Park, supporting the preservation of this historic site.