Mission Art Press
The Fine Art of Howard Anderson
Fine Art Prints
Mission San Diego de Alcalá: Mother of the Missions
Founded in 1769 by Padre Junípero Serra, Mission San Diego de Alcalá marks the historic birthplace of Christianity in Alta California. Known as the "Mother of the Missions," this radiant painting by artist Howard celebrates the foundational roots of California's mission history and parish life.
"I wanted to show the parishioners gathering for Sunday Mass, with the Eucharist being the most frequented of the Catholic sacraments," Howard shares, reflecting on the active community of over 2,000 weekly worshipers today.
Key Details & Architectural Highlights:
The Iconic Five-Bell Campanario: The painting prominently features the striking 46-foot bell tower with its five terraced arches, housing historic bells preserved through centuries of reconstruction.
Lush Flora & Stark Adobe: Stark, brilliant white adobe walls contrast beautifully with vibrant palm trees, lush greenery, and colorful flowers blossoming in the foreground.
The Blueprint of Mission Design: The piece showcases the classic Spanish Franciscan elements that defined the entire 21-mission trail, including the massive welcoming doors, red clay roof tiles, and expansive compound grounds designed for agriculture and community gathering.
A Journey Completed: Serving as the geographical beginning of the El Camino Real, this painting stands as a cornerstone of Howard's complete 21-mission artistic series.
Situated in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, Mission San Fernando Rey de España comes to life in this vibrant piece by artist Howard, highlighting its role as a living classroom, historical archives center, and sacred community hub.
"Several years before I began the mission painting project, I was introduced to Msgr. Francis Weber by a mutual friend, never imagining how important he would become to this effort," Howard recalls.
Key Details & Hidden Touches:
A Special Tribute: Msgr. Francis Weber, the renowned archivist who granted Howard access to centuries of historic mission records, is painted on the left walkway alongside his faithful Sheltie dog, watching over visiting schoolchildren.
Vibrant Mission Grounds: Capturing a unique period in the mission's history, the painting features peacocks and other animals, including a hen strolling in the foreground, roaming freely across the grounds.
Youth & Discovery: School buses and energetic fourth-graders fill the scene, honoring the classic California history field trip where young students explore the roots of their state's heritage.
Sacred Legacy: Beyond its educational charm, the piece honors the site's ongoing importance as a resting place, historical treasure trove, and sanctuary for prayer and community life.
Mission La Purísima Concepción: Twilight on the Working Mission
As dusk settles over the grounds, Mission La Purísima Concepción captures a moment of serene beauty—the only evening scene in artist Howard’s entire mission series.
"After a long day of travel, dusk was settling in and I raced to beat the sunset, pulling over on the road to take photographs... I was immediately drawn to the stillness of the animals and the peacefulness of the mission grounds," Howard recalls. "I literally crept onto the fields to capture the photos that were my inspiration for this painting."
Key Details & Highlights Featured:
A Peaceful Sunset Scene: Warm evening light bathes the landscape as lowing cattle and sheep rest in the foreground, honoring the essential role agriculture and livestock played in early mission life.
Infinite Arches & Bell Tower: The composition pays tribute to the historic reconstruction, showcasing the tiled roofs, bell tower, and signature archways extending toward the horizon.
A Living History Experience: Named in honor of the Immaculate Conception of Mary and established in 1787, the site operates today as a California State Historic Park. It stands as a "working mission" where visitors explore historic candle-making, soap-making, livery facilities, and early trade traditions.
Capturing a quiet transition from day to night, this painting bridges sacred history, quiet resilience, and California’s rich agricultural roots.
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad: Land, Labor, and Family Memory
Nestled in the heart of the Salinas Valley, Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad is brought to life by artist Howard in a poignant tribute to regional agriculture, simple architecture, and personal family heritage.
"I wanted to capture the history that this once barren land had been transformed to seasonal agricultural work as depicted in harvesting row crops with the water truck that is important to the well-being of field workers," Howard shares.
Key Details & Personal Stories:
Salinas Valley Agriculture: Set against muted tones and looming purple mountains, the painting highlights the vibrant green row crops, like lettuce and strawberries, and honors the essential field workers who cultivate the land today.
Historic Adobe Ruins: Showing the mission's understated construction, the main structure sits behind low scrub trees and a preserved portion of the original adobe wall. To the left, a large cross marks the resting place of those who perished during harsh, freezing winters.
A Personal Family Connection: The piece was deeply inspired by Howard’s in-laws, who ran a funeral home in Soledad during the 1950s. Family lore even holds that they donated their funeral home organ to the mission chapel during its 1956 restoration, a cherished memory woven into the artwork's legacy.
Mission Santa Clara de Asís: A Legacy of Faith, Family, and Alma Mater
Deeply personal and rich with nostalgia, Mission Santa Clara de Asís is a heartwarming tribute to the campus where artist Howard studied, met his wife, and built a lifetime of memories.
"As I was preparing to paint this mission for the second time... I was flooded with memories of my days on this beautiful campus as a student and where I met my wife," Howard recalls.
Key Details & Personal Stories:
The Cloistered Gardens: Set against the mission's central bell tower and traditional Spanish adobe architecture, the painting highlights manicured lawns, palm trees, and sheltering wisteria vines—a peaceful sanctuary for students and faculty.
A Personal Cameo: In the gardens on the right, Howard and his wife, Kathy, are depicted in front of the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Both are Santa Clara graduates (classes of '71 and '72) who attended late-night student Mass and were later married in the mission church.
A Multigenerational Connection: The artist included his son, Tim, who attended SCU 27 years later, pictured playing guitar on the lawn.
Fourth-Grade Mission Projects: The piece celebrates the classic California 4th-grade mission project, a nod to the model mission built by his son Tim that Howard kept in his studio for decades alongside his son Casey's project of La Purísima.
Mission San Francisco Solano: The Final Stop on the Mission Trail
Situated on the historic Sonoma Pueblo Plaza, Mission San Francisco Solano, often called the Sonoma Mission, brings to life the 21st and final mission established in Alta California.
"My primary motivation for this painting was to memorialize the secularization of the last vestige of Fr. Serra’s vision to evangelize and bring the Catholic faith to California," artist Howard shares. "I wanted to paint the simplicity of the restored mission buildings that reflect the intentions of Fr. Serra and his missionaries."
Key Details & Historical Landmarks:
The Bear Flag & State Republic: The California State Flag flies prominently, marking Sonoma’s pivotal role in the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt and the formation of the California Republic following the end of Mexican rule.
State Park Stewardship: A California State Park ranger stands near the main entrance, a detail highlighting that this site is one of only two missions owned and operated as a State Historic Park rather than an active parish.
Sonoma Plaza & Wine Country: Framed by the parched golden knolls of a Sonoma summer, the painting captures the historic plaza intersection where 1836 military barracks, local commerce, and wine country heritage meet.
End of the Trail: The simple cross atop the red-tile roof stands as a quiet reminder of the mission's original sacred purpose at the northernmost terminus of the El Camino Real.
Known as the "King of the Missions," Mission San Luis Rey de Francia stands as the largest and one of the most beautifully landscaped of all 21 California missions. In San Luis Rey Reflection, artist Howard captures the grandeur, lush seaside atmosphere, and enduring heritage of this historic Oceanside sanctuary.
"I was immediately drawn to the large fountain that is prominent in the foreground of this painting because it was a major statement about the importance of a central fountain, which is critical in nearly all of the California missions," Howard recalls.
Key highlights featured in this artwork:
A Clever Title: The name San Luis Rey Reflection serves as a double entendre, referencing both the physical reflection of the mission buildings in the fountain waters and the quiet spiritual reflections of the Franciscan priest pictured in meditation.
Coastal Beauty & Hidden Wildlife: Benefiting from cool breezes and moisture off the coast, the painting emphasizes lush green grounds, vibrant trees, and small local animals and coastal birds hidden throughout the scene.
A Timeless Gathering Place: Designed historically as a source of refreshment for travelers and animals, the central fountain remains a joyful gathering spot for visiting students today, bridging the gap between the 18th century and modern times.
Celebrated for its royal scale and rich history, from its founding in 1798 to its legacy as California's first Franciscan seminary, this painting honors a sacred site of worship, peace, and natural beauty.
Mission Basilica San Buenaventura: Faith by the Sea
Perched against lush coastal hillsides with views of the Pacific Ocean, Mission Basilica San Buenaventura, often called the "Mission by the Sea," comes to life in this vibrant painting.
"With its proximity to the ocean, I wanted to capture the location’s lush trees and foliage in this painting, while focusing on welcoming parishioners at the mission doors," Howard shares.
Key Details & Highlights Featured:
Inviting Fountains & Architecture: A central fountain acts as a welcoming symbol of sacramental life. The scene showcases the bright white walls, contrasting red-tile roofs, and Moorish architectural features, with the bell tower set against the golden dome of Holy Cross School.
A Thriving Coastal Sanctuary: Designated a Basilica by Pope Francis in 2020, the artwork highlights the enduring community built around the mission, where parishioners gather warmly in the open-air garden patio.
Sacred Treasures & Legacy: The piece honors a site rich in history, home to a permanent statue of Fr. Serra, rare historic wooden bells, and centuries of preserved artifacts that connect past and present.
A beautiful tribute to community, faith, and coastal serenity, this painting captures the timeless spirit of Ventura's historic heart.
Mission San Miguel Arcángel: Nostalgia, Travel, and Tradition
Tucked along Highway 101, Mission San Miguel Arcángel comes to life in this mid-century nostalgic narrative by artist Howard. Grounded in his childhood memories of driving along the El Camino Real, the painting captures the spirit of Central California travel in the 1960s and 1970s.
"I especially thought about keeping company with my mother as she drove my sister from our home in San Jose to college in Santa Barbara," Howard recalls.
Key Details & Historical Nostalgia:
Period Travel & Transport: Meticulously researched vintage elements fill the scene, with a Greyhound bus, an Airstream travel trailer, classic automobiles, a roaring locomotive in the foreground, and a period airplane soaring overhead.
60s Era History: Highlighting the Vietnam War era, military transport vehicles appear in the distance near Camp Roberts, alongside the region’s sun-bleached golden hills and grazing cattle.
Folkloric Festivity: The classic Spanish architecture, with its long multi-arched colonnade, serves as a backdrop to vibrant young dancers performing in traditional folkloric costumes during the mission's annual festival.
Franciscan Hospitality: Under the care of Franciscan priests continuously since its founding, a friar stands at the mission doors, keeping alive the centuries-old tradition of welcoming travelers and parishioners.
Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo: Sacred Legacy and Family Faith
Considered by artist Howard to be the most iconic painting in his entire 21-mission series, Carmel Mission captures a radiant First Communion celebration at the historic heart of Father Junípero Serra’s ministry.
"I chose a first communion celebration to reflect the commitment of the Catholics in Carmel community to maintain the legacy of Fr. Serra through parish sacramental life," Howard observes. "The preparation for First Communion is both a church and family affair, and I wanted to reflect this in the gathering of second graders with their pastor while preparing to enter the mission church."
Key Details & Architectural Highlights:
A Sacred Celebration: Multigenerational families and second-graders in white dresses and suits gather in the courtyard around the prominent central fountain before Mass.
Majestic Coastal Architecture: Using meticulous overlay drawings, Howard captured the church's distinct features, including its twin bell towers (one topped with a Moorish dome) and the famous star window above the entrance.
Lush Coastal Environment: The painting reflects the coastal fog and ocean mist of Monterey Bay, which nurture the vibrant, colorful flora in the foreground.
Historical Importance: Founded as the second California mission and serving as Serra's headquarters and final resting place upon his death in 1784, this Minor Basilica stands as a crown jewel of California history and restoration.
Mission San José de Guadalupe: A Vibrant Journey and Storied History
Nestled beneath the rolling hills of Fremont at the southeastern edge of San Francisco Bay, On the Way to Mission San Jose captures a welcoming scene of parishioners and visitors arriving for Mass at this historic sanctuary.
"I wanted to emphasize the rolling mountains at the southeast end of the San Francisco Bay Area in the city of Fremont to show the relationship of the landscape to the mission buildings," artist Howard recalls.
Key Details & Historical Highlights:
Faithful Reconstruction: Destroyed by the 1868 Hayward Fault earthquake and meticulously rebuilt in 1985, the painting honors the restored Spanish-inspired architecture, featuring a prominent tower, stark white adobe walls, red clay roof tiles, and a lush plaza.
Sacred Entrance Cemetery: Situated prominently off the main plaza, the mission cemetery honors the missionaries, local heritage families, and Indigenous peoples who built and sustained the community.
The Dominican Sisters & Historic Olives: Depicted in front of the church are two Dominican Sisters. Arriving in 1891 to care for orphans, the sisters tapped into the property's 300 olive trees to produce olive oil. The painting captures these historic 230-year-old trees in the background, a legacy that continues today, with olive oil sales benefiting Catholic education through the sisters' Vision of Hope foundation.
Known as the "Jewel of the Missions," San Juan Capistrano comes vibrantly to life in San Juan Capistrano Fiesta—the most meticulously detailed painting in artist Howard's mission series.
Designed to capture the mission’s full impact on its community, the painting celebrates the annual St. Joseph’s Day Festival (March 19th), which marks the famous return of the swallows. Framed through iconic mission arches, the artwork showcases the energy of local organizations, intricate traditional costumes, and students performing folkloric dances.
Key Details & Hidden Treasures:
The Moorish Fountain: Set within peaceful garden walls, the Fountain of the Four Evangelists anchors the tranquil heart of the mission.
A Special Tribute: Tucked away in the rafters above the arch, Howard painted a swallow’s nest as a subtle nod to the sanctuary's most famous seasonal visitors.
Sacred Heritage: The piece reflects the deep history of the grounds, honoring the Indigenous peoples, Franciscan priests, and early community members buried in its preserved sacred grounds.
"By using the perspective of peeking through the arches, I wanted to capture the spirit of the many organizations that recreate this festival annually," Howard explains.
Nearly 25 years after completing the piece, Howard returned to find local fourth graders still walking the grounds, a powerful reminder that this historic sanctuary remains a living center of culture, education, and community joy.
Mission Santa Barbara: A Celebration of Faith and Architecture
Known as the "Queen of the Missions," Mission Santa Barbara shines in this joyful painting by artist Howard, capturing a vibrant Saturday wedding party assembling on the sweeping green lawn for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
"The building style and color complement the gardens in the foreground while drawing attention to the wedding party," Howard explains.
Key Details & Architectural Highlights:
Unique Spanish Heritage: Unlike the stark white stucco of other missions, Howard carefully captures Santa Barbara’s distinct architecture, featuring creamy-colored bricks with grey grouting, two impressive bell towers, and delicate rose-colored accents.
A Sacred Tradition: The piece highlights the mission as a favorite venue for weddings, honoring Fr. Serra’s original goal to bring and celebrate the Catholic sacraments in California.
Memorial & Sacred Grounds: On the far left near the fountain, a cross marks the entrance to the extensive, preserved burial grounds where generations of worshipers are honored.
Living Franciscan Legacy: Operated today by the Franciscan Friars Minor, the scene pays homage to the ongoing spiritual and community life that makes this site the jewel of the Santa Barbara coast.
Mission San Antonio de Padua: Harmony, Faith, and Nature
Tucked away in a secluded valley off Highway 101, Mission San Antonio de Padua remains one of the few California missions untouched by urban development. In this serene piece, artist Howard captures a Franciscan friar walking along a dirt road in deep meditation, surrounded by the natural splendor of the late 1700s.
Emulating St. Francis of Assisi, the painting highlights a profound spiritual connection between faith and nature, set against grassy plains dotted with vibrant California poppies, blue lupine, and yellow goldenrod.
The Story Behind the Canvas:
The Only Painting Created Twice: Howard gifted the original piece to a dear friend, Paul Hughes, who helped introduce him to mission expert Msgr. Francis Weber. After Hughes passed away and his family kept the artwork, Howard undertook the challenge of painting it a second time, using his original sketch tissues and even correcting the native mule deer species.
A Secluded Sanctuary: As one of the original 21 missions still stewarded by Franciscan priests today, the remote location allows visitors to experience the landscape almost exactly as it was centuries ago.
A Wildlife Scavenger Hunt: True to St. Francis's love for animals, the painting is filled with hidden creatures. Can you find the squirrel, quail, rabbits, deer, mallard duck, chipmunks, raccoon, snake, and baby foxes hiding in the landscape?
Mission Santa Cruz: Vistas, Memories, and Coastal Heritage
Perched high above Monterey Bay, Mission Santa Cruz offers a unique perspective on one of California's smaller historic sites, focusing on its vantage point, surrounding nature, and rich regional history.
"In researching this mission, I came to appreciate that the tower symbolized the role of the mission not only to evangelize the faith, but to protect their neophytes, staff and missionaries... serving as a look-out and a warning system," Howard shares.
Key Details & Nostalgic Landmarks:
The Hilltop Bell Tower: Set upon a scenic rise overlooking the semicircular curve of Monterey Bay, the replica bell tower highlights the mission's historic role as a watchtower and community anchor.
Coastal Boardwalk & Giant Dipper: To the far right, Howard depicts the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and its iconic 1924 wooden roller coaster, the Giant Dipper.
Redwood Train & Trestle Bridge: Peeking through native Monterey pines, redwoods, and coastal oaks, the painting features a vintage locomotive crossing a trestle bridge, a nod to the artist's fond family train rides through nearby redwoods.
A Tapestry of Personal History: Framing Victorian and mission-style homes in the neighborhood, the piece blends sacred history with Howard’s cherished memories of beach trips, family vacations, and mountain biking along the coast.
Mission in The City: San Francisco de Asís
Known affectionately to locals as Mission Dolores, Mission in The City captures Mission San Francisco de Asís as an enduring beacon of light standing resilient through centuries of San Francisco history.
"The mission survived through each of these historical trials to stand today as a beacon of light for all who live in 'The City,' and that’s what I wanted to achieve in this painting," artist Howard shares.
Key Details & Cultural Landmarks:
A Witness to History: Having weathered the Gold Rush, the 1906 earthquake and fire, the Great Depression, and 1960s war protests, the historic mission stands proudly alongside the adjacent, grander Basilica of San Francisco.
Urban & Natural Harmony: Set within San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District, the painting features neighborhood housing styles framed by native California trees, rolling hills, and signature San Francisco fog.
A Symbol of Inclusivity: Painted in the mid-1990s, a subtle rainbow spans the sky as a tribute to San Francisco's LGBTQ+ community.
Sacred Grounds & Personal Cameos: The historic wall conceals burial grounds honoring 5,000 Indigenous peoples and founding families. In the lower-left corner, Howard painted himself alongside his high school best friend walking past a classic 1906 El Camino Real bell marker.
Revered as both the "Mother of the Missions" and the "Pride of the Missions," San Gabriel Arcángel stands as a towering landmark of history, culture, and active faith. In this vibrant piece, artist Howard captures the bustling energy of a Sunday Mass gathering set against the backdrop of Southern California’s iconic landscape.
"When I moved to Southern California in 1975, I came to anticipate the purple Jacaranda trees that bloom in June," Howard recalled. "I waited for them to bloom for this painting so that I could simulate the colors of the San Gabriel local mountains."
Key Highlights Featured in the Painting:
A Historic Crossroads: Situated in the geographic center of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the scene features prominent railway tracks and bustling thoroughfares, showing how families arrive for worship by rail, car, and on foot, past and present.
Festive Atmosphere: Vibrant Jacaranda trees, local cacti, palms, and lively street vendors reflect the rich community life surrounding the historic sanctuary.
Fortress Architecture: The composition showcases the mission's unique Moorish architectural influences, featuring heavy buttressed walls, a vaulted roof, and a striking bell tower inspired by historic Spanish design.
Having witnessed the mission’s miraculous rededication after a devastating 2020 fire, Howard’s artwork stands as a poignant tribute to a sacred gathering place that continues to thrive through centuries of resilience.
Mission Santa Inés: Tradition, Faith, and Western Heritage
Nestled in the low, rolling hills of the Santa Ynez Valley, Mission Santa Inés springs to life in this vibrant piece by artist Howard, capturing the colorful annual arrival of Los Rancheros Visitadores.
"It was only after painting this mission that I came to appreciate the importance of Fr. Serra’s work in California ranching history," Howard recalls. "Some of the families contacted me to purchase the giclée prints, which are meaningful to their generational histories."
Key Details & Highlights Featured:
The Blessing of the Ranchers: The artwork depicts horsemen in traditional Western wear riding in parade formation to receive a blessing from the mission's pastor, a tradition honoring the families who can trace their roots to 18th and 19th-century Spanish land grants.
Dynamic Parade Motion: To capture the energy of moving horses, Howard used painstaking overlay drawings, placing observers along the foreground fence and eager children taking in the spectacle.
Classic Architecture & Natural Beauty: Framed by the valley's lush hills and oak trees, the painting showcases the mission’s Moorish-Spanish architecture, featuring its bell tower, sweeping arches, and historic burial grounds.
Celebrating deep family roots, early agricultural history, and enduring faith, this painting honors one of California's most spirited cultural traditions.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa: Harmony, History, and Music
Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco along the El Camino Real, Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa shines as a center of culture, community, and sacred life. In San Luis Obispo Mission Music, artist Howard explores the deep connection between music, faith, and socialization on the historic grounds.
"As a member of my parish choir, I wanted to explore the importance of music at the missions and in all forms of sacramental life," Howard explains.
Key Details & Whimsical Highlights:
A Classical Celebration: Inspired by the annual Mozart Music Festival, the painting depicts visitors of all ages enjoying a summer concert and lawn picnic set against the beautifully preserved mission backdrop.
A Playful Cameo: Known for embedding clever historical easter eggs, Howard included a special surprise: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his wife, Constanze, have arrived by horse-drawn carriage on the far left and are seated in the second row!
Architectural Character: Showcasing classic Spanish mission arches and red-tile roofing, the expansive lawns highlight the site’s modern role as a vibrant gathering spot for local families and Cal Poly students alike.
Inspired by artist Howard’s own 4th-grade field trip, this captivating piece brings to life the timeless charm of a school visit to Mission San Juan Bautista. Yellow buses roll in as groups of schoolchildren gather to picnic on the sprawling front lawn, tour the historic grounds, and explore the adjacent California State Historic Park.
The painting highlights this blend of personal memory and rich history:
State Park Artifacts: The foreground features historic park buildings showcasing early farming implements, vintage transportation, and relics from the Breen family, survivors of the ill-fated 1846 Donner Party.
Architectural Grandeur: The composition emphasizes the massive mission church, its iconic bell tower, and the seventeen sweeping arches along the colonnade.
A Cinematic Easter Egg: Movie buffs will recognize the iconic bell tower featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 film Vertigo. Look closely among the arches, you might just spot the legendary director himself taking a walk.
Layered History: Near the cemetery cross at the right, a resting place for over 4,000 Christian Native Americans and European settlers, the scene subtly nods to modern history with seismographic instruments monitoring the adjacent San Andreas Fault line.
Celebrating the only California mission to boast continuous daily Mass since 1797, this painting is a glowing tribute to youth, discovery, and enduring local heritage.
Mission San Rafael Arcángel: Education, Faith, and Living History
In Mission San Rafael Arcángel, artist Howard highlights the vital role of Catholic education, focusing on how parochial schools instill lifelong values while connecting students directly to California's living history.
"One can only imagine the importance of the mission in the lives of the students that attend this parish school, since these students have an everyday experience to be studying on the grounds of a California mission," Howard reflects. "Education, especially a Catholic school education, is the only gift you can give a child that lasts a lifetime."
Key Details & Architectural Highlights:
A Living Classroom: Uniformed students gather in the foreground to enter St. Raphael Catholic School, taught by the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, experiencing history and character-building education firsthand every day.
Architectural Contrast: The clean simplicity of the Spanish-inspired school building in the foreground stands in striking contrast to the replica mission church, featuring three elaborate towers and the historic insignia above its doors.
A Unique Heritage: Founded originally in 1817 as a medical outpost and convalescent hospital for those struggling in San Francisco's damp climate, the mission was completely rebuilt as a faithful replica in 1949 after suffering severe destruction during the secularization era.
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