Remembering Ernestine De Soto — A Light in the Portraits of the Central Coast
This week our community says goodbye to Ernestine De Soto — a woman whose grace, humor, and quiet strength will continue to echo far beyond her years. I was blessed to know her not only as a Chumash Elder of this Central Coast story we share, but as one of the beloved subjects in my Portraits of the Central Coast series. I hope you will visit the page, read her biography and hear her voice to learn about her life of service.
When Ernestine sat for her portrait, she carried with her a lifetime of memories: the last generation to hear the Chumash language used by her elders, the rhythms of family gatherings, the perseverance of a generation that preserved so much history with determined hands and open hearts. I remember how her eyes held both mischief and wisdom, and how easily she laughed (or made me laugh!) when I asked her about the moments that had shaped her life. She told her stories with the ease of someone who understood that ordinary days become sacred when lived fully.
Painting her was less about capturing a likeness and more about honoring a presence. Ernestine represented something essential about this place — resilience rooted in kindness, tradition braided with change, accountability through a lense of grace. She reminded me that the true subject of any portrait is not paint or canvas, but the invisible thread that connects one life to another.
As artists, we often hope our work will outlast us. Ernestine understood something deeper — that it is love, not longevity, that makes a life enduring. I feel honored that her image and spirit are woven into this ongoing project, and I will carry that responsibility with tenderness.
To her family, friends, and all who were touched by her light, I offer my deepest condolences and gratitude for sharing her with us. Her memory will continue to bless this coast she called home. Services will be held at the Santa Barbara Mission, Tuesday February 10th, 2026
With love and remembrance and profound gratitude,
Holli