San Xavier - and One Smart Dog

San Xavier

Oil on canvas, 10x10

At the request of Lois Vanskike, one of the sponsors of this trip, I go to Mission San Xavier del Bac - with my dad - to paint, and to look around. 

The place is absolutely fantastic, and well worth the visit. It's the oldest intact European structure in Arizona, according to its website, and is a national historic landmark. 

The mission was founded by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692. Kino was born in what is now northern Italy. After taking his vows, he came to Sonora, in northern Mexico, then moved to California and eventually Arizona. There, he helped the local people develop their farming techniques, and to raise cattle, sheep and goats. He brought 20 cattle to the area; during his life, the herd grew to more than 70,000. 

In addition to starting the mission at San Xavier, he also started the Tumacacori mission, just south of Tubac. 

When you're driving down I-19 from Tucson to Tubac (incidentally, I-19 is the only interstate in the US that's measured in kilometers), you can see the mission off to the west. It shines a brilliant white, and Dad tells me it's called the White Dove of the Desert. I've wanted to visit ever since I saw it, so it's really a treat to go there with Dad. 

We walk around the church first. It is heavily decorated inside, with carvings and paintings and tons of gold. The ceiling soars, and angels and cherubs dance around up there. Underfoot, the stones are bowed and worn from thousands of years of feet walking on them. The church still functions as a church, even now. 

A renovation is underway, but it's not done yet. 

Here's my painting in the landscape. 

Here's Dad, sketching. Below is his sketch. 

And here's Dad, inside the church. 

Behind the church is a lovely courtyard

***

Dog of the Day

 This dog was hanging around at the snack bar at San Xavier. There are lots of stray dogs around Indian reservations in Arizona. This was clearly one of the smart ones - he'd found where the food was, and he was sticking there.

First, I gave him some corn chips, and he liked them. Then, I gave him one of Dad's french fries. Then I got up and got him a hot dog, and gave him the whole thing. Then I gave him another french fry, and he turned it down!

Then he took a few steps away, laid down on the warm cement, and rolled all over, scratching his back and making a satisfied groaning noise. When the next folks came in for lunch, he was ready to eat again!