The scene on this card, entitled “Sanctuary” was inspired by the Montanez Adobe on Los Rios Street in San Juan Capistrano, California.

About the scene: The Los Rios Street Historic District is a step back in time, a sweet example of an 18th-century California village. Forty adobe structures were built at the present site of Los Rios Street in 1794 to house the Native Americans who labored at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. The street was originally named Calle Occidental or “West Street” in reference to its orientation to the western edge of the mission grounds.

Thought to be one of the original adobes, the Montanez Adobe was the home of Dona Poloninia Montanez, daughter of Tomas Gutierrez, an early mission carpenter. Between 1886 and 1910, the building gained spiritual significance following the secularization of the Mission. Dona Montanez created a tiny chapel in the adobe which became the village sanctuary. She served as the spiritual leader for the community as well as its midwife and nurse.

As I left The Cottage Gallery one evening, the Montanez Adobe was gleaming in the most beautiful golden hour light. At that moment, I knew I must paint its portrait. The grounds feature a butterfly garden, so I placed a small monarch butterfly in the scene, and of course I couldn’t resist adding one of the famous cliff swallows that return to the area from their winter home in Argentina around March 19. Finally, a white rose gives a nod to Dona Montanez and her role in the village.

Card measures 4.25x5.5" and is blank on the inside, ready for your own personal message. It has the above information about the painting printed on the back. The card has been professionally printed on high-quality 80 lb. art paper with a subtle texture similar to cold-pressed watercolor paper. This paper is acid-free for greater longevity, but please take care to protect it from light, heat and humidity. Pearl envelope is included and card will arrive packaged in a clear plastic sleeve.

Shipping is always FREE.