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 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?
