As I drive past it, I often admire the chapel at the former Naval Training Center in San Diego. Yesterday I stood across from it and spent a few hours wondering about all the people who may have attended services there.

As I sketched, I found myself filled with nostalgia. Making this painting reminded me of the many sketching trips my family took to old churches in Arizona and Sonora. My father was fascinated by the Jesuit missions and his idea of a great trip often involved stopping by a mission for a few sketches.

I struggled with all the lines and angles that make up a chapel of this size. A ruler might have been a good tool to bring, but my uneven lines do go with the disproportions and the way I painted the gorgeous cypress trees.