Walter P. Temple grew up in the San Gabriel Valley of Southern California. His father was the founder of Temple City, and his ancestors on both sides were members of the valley's First Families, dating back to 1841. As a boy, he experienced life on a rancho, witnessed the genesis of California's oil fields, and appreciated the natural glory of the valley's hillsides. By the time Walter reached his sixties, he saw that this beautiful valley was changing and prospering, and familiar buildings that had been an integral part of his early heritage were being razed in the path of city development. He knew that if future generations were to value the history of the area, such landmarks must somehow be preserved. He began to record them in sketches, watercolors and oils as gifts to share with those who might appreciate them. Gentle Artist is a collection of those artworks and related family photographs, lovingly presented by Walter's daughter,Josette.