Category: Built to Last

Porch perchOrcas Island, WA

Orcas Island sketch by Chandler O'Leary

Sometimes one’s point of view can make or break a picture. The jury is still out on this one, as far as I’m concerned. This was such a weird vantage point for sketching—between the location high up on a hill, the wide-angle view of the rest of the porch, the water and ferry landing below,… More

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City of archangelsGreater Los Angeles, CA

Mission San Gabriel Arcángel sketch by Chandler O'Leary

This is the fourth installment of my Mission Mondays series, exploring all 21 Spanish Missions along the California coast. You can read more about this series, and see a sketch map of all the missions, at this post. Last week we visited one of the most famous, most visited and most photographed missions in the… More

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American ruinsSan Juan Capistrano, CA

Mission San Juan Capistrano sketch by Chandler O'Leary

This is the third installment of my Mission Mondays series, exploring all 21 Spanish Missions along the California coast. You can read more about this series, and see a sketch map of all the missions, at this post. San Juan Capistrano is the jewel of the missions—seriously, it’s hard to think of a more beautiful… More

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Goonie weekendAstoria and Cannon Beach, OR

Old Clatsop County Jail sketch by Chandler O'Leary

I’m a bit of a movie nut—especially for anything shot on location. I’m a sucker for films that center around real places—and Astoria, OR has featured prominently in so many movies that the entire town has become a cinema icon. This Sunday marks the 30th anniversary of the release of the 1980s free-range-kid classic, The… More

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Googie fairytaleOld Colorado City, CO

Sno-White sign sketch by Chandler O'Leary

I’m utterly amazed that this sign is still here; that I can refer to it in present tense, rather than with “Once upon a time.” I’m gobsmacked that it’s been so lovingly maintained; that (with the exception of switching from white to its current blue) the lettering is completely unchanged; that the façade is still… More

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King of the missionsOceanside, CA

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia sketch by Chandler O'Leary

This is the second installment of my Mission Mondays series, exploring all 21 Spanish Missions along the California coast. You can read more about this series, and see a sketch map of all the missions, at this post. I thought my travel itinerary allowed myself plenty of time to tour and sketch each mission—but I… More

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Desert welcomePalm Springs, CA

Palm Springs sketch by Chandler O'Leary

Well, since I posted my sketch of “The Palm Springs of Washington” the other day, I think it’s only fitting to show you the Palm Springs of…uh, Palm Springs. I have to admit, I don’t like this welcome sign quite as much as the charming ho-made white lie in Yakima, WA, but I guess the… More

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