Etching of statue of Father Serra by Alec Stern

Today Pope Francis made Father Junipero Serra a saint. I’m not Catholic so I’m not sure of all that means. I am a Californian, however, and for anybody who was assigned to make a mission out of sugar cubes in the fourth grade (they probably use Legos today) Father Serra is a familiar character.

Alec Stern’s etching of Mission San Fernando near where I grew up. Note another statue of Father Serra.

Like the Pope, Father Serra was a Franciscan. Over 200 years ago, he started the chain of 21 missions up and down the California coast, some of which grew into prominent cities. As an exponent of Spanish colonialism, Junipero has always been a controversial figure in California. But as a kid, something else about the missions caught my eye.

A page of etchings from Alec Stern’s book featuring Mission La Purisima at the top.

I loved the way they looked! I loved the chunky yellow and tan walls, the brick red tile roofs, the heavy dark brown timbers, the Baroque terra cotta sculptures around sanctuary doors. All this set in the rolling gray-green foothills of California. Earth tones, solid geometric forms, simple lines: these were among the first tools I learned to use as an artist.

This is a painting I did in my 20s set at Mission La Purisima.

I don’t know where or when I got this little booklet of mission etchings by California artist, Alec Stern. Probably from a mission gift shop. (I’ve been to most of them; some many times.) Alec Stern was an artist and illustrator that lived near San Francisco and was known for his depictions of the State. I used to pour over each illustration in this book, sketching, tracing, trying to learn what Mr. Stern had to teach me about rendering these lovely places.

Cover of a booklet of Alec Stern’s Mission etching, published on 1960.

I did paintings from them, too. In junior high I painted a mural on my bedroom wall in oils from the illustration of San Juan Capistrano. Note the spatters of paint I left on that page (and, no doubt, throughout my bedroom.) ( My mother was also a saint.)

Alec Stern’s etching of Mission San Juan Capistrano.