This is Mission Inn Towers

This is going to be the start of a series where I take you on the adventure of my grandfather's artwork.  Don O'Neill, my grandfather painted over 3500 paintings throughout his career spanning from the 1970s to his passing in 2007.    I took over his business after his passing and I am proud to produce over 100 different giclee prints of his work.  Every few weeks I will share a different piece and tell the story, at least the story as far as I know it.   Every painting is in a story of itself and I hope to share what I know to you.   This first post is going to depict perhaps his most popular painting.


This is Mission Inn Towers.  




Don painted Riverside's Mission Inn numerous times over his career.  This painting however is perhaps his most famous.  Don painted this beautiful watercolor painting in the late 1980s.  This image of the Mission Inn as painted, had to be planned beginning with a high and very long distant view so as to place each dome in the position as shown.  The inactive wash of palm fronds on the left was placed there to hide the less than essential active building shapes which are hidden beyond them.  This allowed a concentration of activity in the domes where it could be most effective.  The dominate distant dome with decorative tile and a most interesting lantern atop the dome create the focal point of interest for the overall composition.


This image was used in numerous places.  This painting ended up on the cover of a 1990 Riverside Pictorial produced by the Riverside Chamber of Commerce.  Don kept his copy of this book and it is full of old Riverside gems.  This painting was originally used for a series of posters when the OMNI Group purchased the Mission Inn and were branded "The OMNI Mission Inn" however the Mission Inn was never opened under the OMNI Group.   Duane and Kelly Roberts purchased and operates  the Mission Inn that we know and love today.  We still have some of those 30 year old Mission Inn Posters with the OMNI branding but,  I am a delighted with the real history we ended up with as the Mission Inn remains in great hands.




This painting has brought joy to so many people for nearly 30 years now.  It has become perhaps the most well known paintings of Riverside, California by any artist.     You can see this print on our online store at DonONeill.com and we produce it in four different sizes.   Each one is individually printed on archival grade watercolor paper.  When properly framed the print will look nearly identical to the original painting and will hold its vivid color for decades. 

Keeping my grandfather's legacy alive has been one of the most amazing adventures I have done with my life and this would not be possible without a great audience. Thank You!


Riley O'Neill 

To learn more about Riverside's Historic Mission Inn you can visit their website at missioninn.com

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