Twice the Spice

I seem to rely on Geraniums a lot but they are a perfect fit in so many places, especially in these Cobalt Blue pots. Along with Sunflowers, they are one of my favorites.

I’ve added California Poppies to the garden because the oranges compliment the hand carved, turquoise bench.

Twice the Spice     24″ x 24″     Original Oil Painting

AND…. Sunflowers finish out the setting. Come sit for a bit, then grab a chili along with a clove of garlic for Twice the Spice in dinner tonight! As soon as we get the truck packed we are heading out for Santa Fe. Jack and I will be at the Santa Fe Fine Art Gallery ALL day Friday, Sept 3 and Saturday, Sept 4. Sunday morning, Sept. 5 we will be there ’til Noon. A special collector event will be Saturday evening from 5 to 7:30 pm. This is by reservation only and we will have a drawing for neat gifts and auction a painting especially for this party. If you would like to attend you may call the gallery, 505.820.0045. Attendance is limited but I think there are a couple of spaces left. We hope you can make it sometime over the weekend. Jack and I would love to give you a big, Texas hug. I’ll be back blogging sometime around the 8th or 9th of September with pictures of the event! Hugs, Mikki Senkarik

Website: www.senkarik.com

Garlic and Chilis

This is the last piece I’ll have time to do for my show in Santa Fe. It’s hard to believe the time is here. Wanting a purely southwest feel I’ve decided to combine strands of garlic with chili ristras. The little bench just adds to the ambiance. The sketch on canvas is to the left. The window area is painted in with a translucent wash of MUD ( Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Liquin.

When the window is painted over the dry, translucent wash it gives the impression of something in the room beyond. If the wash was opaque the darkness through the window panes would just appear as black holes.

The shadow area of the tile floor is painted first. Blues are added to the terra-cotta color toward the back in order to make the pavers recede.

Perspective lines also make the tiles go back. I let sunlight catch the front of the pavers which visually lifts the edge. To enlarge the image to see the detail just click on the picture. Thanks for coming by the studio today, see you tomorrow. Hugs, Mikki Senkarik

Website: www.senkarik.com

Hill Country Dreams

We’ve had temperatures in the 100s the last several days so painting the cool water of the Frio River makes me want to go for a swim!

I use dark, adobe color mixtures for the rocks made with MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Orange + White. I add in strokes of blue because the water reflects up onto the wet rocks.

The dark blues (Ultramarine Blue + a touch of MUD + White) of the waterfall are painted first. I then drag a lighter value of the same over the dark, giving the impression of  moving water.

Hill Country Dreams     24″ x 30″     Original Oil Painting

The shade of the tree across the foreground acts as a threshold. The light on the river and cabin in the distance visually pulls the viewer across, into the brightness. Much like a groom carrying the bride over the threshold into their new home together. And what would a Texas painting be without Bluebonnets? Just had to have those. The yellow Coreopsis give a brush of warmth to the foreground and the red swing is ready to offer my collector a relaxing spot to enjoy the music of the rushing water. Hugs, Mikki Senkarik

Website: www.senkarik.com

How ‘Bout a Little Smile?

Our babies are growing up! Out of the original 31 ducklings, 28 survived. These are the oldest, they’ve learned to fly and are now quite independent. I just had to share them with you. Do we sound like proud grandparents or what? I must admit, they do make us smile when we see their antics.

Enough about our ducks. The painting today is a special commission for a transplanted Texan. He wanted a spot by a river in the beautiful Texas Hill Country so I chose this location on the Frio River to build a little rock cabin. Louis suggested the swing by the waterfall which I thought was a tremendous idea.

After the sky and hills are finished I go back in and paint the trees, wet into wet. This gives a softness to the foliage that makes the trees remain in the background.

Next the cabin is painted in muted tones because I also want it to fall back. With a few brushstrokes I dropped a meadow into the distance, beyond the fence, to allow the viewer to wander and explore. To see any of these images larger just click on the picture. Hugs, Mikki Senkarik

Website: www.senkarik.com

Playing Hooky

Jack and I decided to play hooky and go up to the Dallas Cowboy’s Training Camp at the Alamodome in San Antonio yesterday.  We try to make it at least once when they come each year. We pigged out on junk food and had a great time.

Two of our favorite receivers are Miles (Smiles) Austin (19) and Jesse Holley (16). They are both neat, young men. Jesse was on the practice squad last year. He originally made the team on Michael Irvin’s reality TV show Fourth and Long, which we watched. So Jesse has a special place in our hearts and we hope he earns a spot on the official roster this year.

And then, there’s that Tony Romo, the quarterback (9). Like most female Dallas Cowboy Fans I just think he’s awfully cute and Jack even likes him too. So you see, we aren’t always at the easel. Sometimes we just have to stop and play a bit. Hugs, Mikki Senkarik

Website: www.senkarik.com