La Primera is the Mother of the California Missions, San Diego de Alcala. Founded on July 16, 1769 by Padre Junipero Serra, it was the first in a series of missions built throughout California to protect Spain's interests in the territory.
Since I grew up in Southern California, I've visited a few of the missions, but I've wanted to visit all of them and paint them. So two weeks ago, I began my "Mission Tour". My sister-in-law Michele and I went to three missions in the San Diego area: San Diego de Alcala, San Luis Rey and San Juan Capistrano. We took hundreds of photos, and we had a great time.
The missions were built along El Camino Real, which still exists today (well, parts of it). Highway 101 in California follows El Camino Real. All the missions are beautiful, and they are all very different; but I was especially taken by the beauty of Mission San Diego. If you visit California, be sure to visit a mission and experience early California history.
1 comment:
This is really lovely. I love the prospective. Great detail with the pen and ink. Can't wait to see the rest.
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