Oakland Author Published California Inside Out
The 95-page volume explores state ecology through watercolors and philosophical reflections.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Bird Watching
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Oakland resident Obi Kaufmann has released his latest book, California Inside Out. The work utilizes watercolors and text to examine the state's natural landscape across five distinct chapters.
Why it matters
The book serves as a bridge between Kaufmann's past and future field guide trilogies. It aims to reapproach and update specific terminology frequently used by environmentalists.
The new book spans 95 pages and is divided into five chapters featuring various watercolors of regional wildlife. Kaufmann completed the project following a three-week writing residency funded by the Swedish government.
The players
Obi Kaufmann
He is an Oakland-based author and artist known for his ecological field guides.
Copperfield's Books
This is an independent bookstore chain located in Northern California.
Temescal Brewing Co.
This is a brewery and community space based in Oakland.
The details
Kaufmann uses his artistic and written work to explore California ecology, highlighting subjects ranging from herons to meadow landscapes. He is currently developing a second trilogy of field guides that will cover the origins, cities, and potential futures of California.
Timeline
Summer 2017: Kaufmann last performed tattoo work.
October 1, 2026: The book was published.
October 8, 2026: A reading is scheduled at Copperfield's Books in Santa Rosa.
October 13, 2026: A book-release party will take place at Temescal Brewing Co.
Culture Shift
The publication represents a deliberate expansion in the author's work, moving beyond the format of the California Field Atlas to explore broader philosophical dimensions of state ecology. This evolution mirrors a trend of creators utilizing specific regional identifiers to build multi-volume series that blend scientific observation with artistic interpretation.
Readers in the Oakland area can attend a book-release party to engage directly with the author and his latest work. The book itself offers a new resource for those looking to deepen their understanding of local ecology through visual and written mediums.
The takeaway
The author continues to document the state through a blend of art and science to challenge traditional environmental perspectives. Readers interested in regional conservation can look forward to his upcoming trilogy exploring California history and future development.
What happens next
Author Obi Kaufmann will hold a reading at Copperfield's Books in Santa Rosa on October 8, 2026, followed by a book-release party at Temescal Brewing Co. on October 13, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on regional wildlife and nature writing, visit Bird Watching.
More information
Find upcoming event and book information on the publisher website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
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