In Honor of Jack White

“Jack’s Place”

Spring in the Lone Star State is delightful; God paints the Texas Hill Country in a cornucopia of beautiful colors. Because the show varies from year to year we Texans tend to record time by the best wildflower displays. 2010 was SPECTACULAR! Jack and I lived in Floresville that spring; each afternoon we would clean our brushes early and hop in the car, armed with cameras. We’d drive the tiny back roads, exclaiming with joy at the beauty of Our Lord’s tapestry covering the rolling hills. One day we came around a corner and screeched to a halt, frozen in awe. The scene before us was breathtaking. Neither of us could speak, Jack reached across the center console and gently took my hand. We sat speechless for minutes, overcome by God’s masterful combination of complimentary hues. Birds sang in the trees; the breeze gently swayed the brilliant blossoms. When our jaws finally unlocked we conversed in whispers; afraid we’d disrupt the spell if we spoke too loudly. We instantly agreed, this was the BEST of the Best wildflowers we’d ever experienced.

Occasionally, during Jack’s and my 26 years together he’d say, “When God takes me Home I want you to give my ashes back to the Texas soil in a field of bluebonnets.” That spot, the one we felt was Our Lord’s BEST of the Best, is commemorated in my original oil painting, “Jack’s Place”. Jack taught me to paint and then set his stellar career aside to promote mine. This piece is my tribute to Jack White; my dearest friend, mentor and the love of my life.

“Jack’s Place” with frame

Baylor Hall of Fame Football Coach Grant Teaff was like a brother to Jack. He and I have decided to auction “Jack’s Place” to start a JACK WHITE CHARACTER SCHOLARSHIP to honor Jack’s memory for years to come at his Alma Mater, Howard Payne University. It was at Howard Payne, as a student, that Jack first recognized his gift for art. Through hard work and determination he matured into a Master Oil Painter. Painting portraits of such notables as President Lyndon Johnson, McDonald’s Founder Ray Kroc, Pro Basketball Star Julius “Dr. J” Irvin and Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Tom Landry, Jack was awarded the title of State Artist of Texas in 1975.

I will donate the ENTIRE PROCEEDS of this auction, less eBay and PayPal fees, to the JACK WHITE CHARACTER SCHOLARSHIP. The Scholarship will provide financial assistance to further a deserving student’s education in Fine Art. Candidates for the Award must exhibit and exemplify outstanding Christian moral character, a strong work ethic, the desire to pursue a career in Fine Art, academic achievement, leadership, friendship, compassion and the ability to set, as well as reach, realistically high goals.

The painted image of “Jack’s Place” measures 24″ x 30″ and is framed in our Senkarik-White Signature Frame, the outside dimension is 30″ tall x 36″ wide. The regular price for this painting is $3,290. BUT to make it extra fun we are starting the bid at ONLY A PENNY. That’s right, you can jump in right now and claim ownership of “Jack’s Place” for ONE CENT.

CLICK HERE to go directly to the eBay Auction

Randy Yeakley at Howard Payne University has partnered with us to provide an avenue for you to donate directly to the JACK WHITE CHARACTER SCHOLARSHIP Fund. CLICK HERE to make your TAX DEDUCTIBLE GIFT to recognize Jack’s life and generosity through the JACK WHITE CHARACTER SCHOLARSHIP. You may also call Randy at 325.998.7904 or email him: ryeakley@hputx.edu.

At my gallery in Santa Fe in 2011

Our goal is to honor Jack White by funding this Award for perpetuity. Jack was the most generous person I’ve ever known. He felt we had been blessed by Our Lord to make a living celebrating God’s beauty through our art; one of his primary goals was to help other artists succeed. Jack wrote eight books on Marketing Art, sharing his amazing knowledge on how to become a successful artist. At the same time he encouraged, taught and mentored individual artists all over the world, FOR FREE. I believe Coach Teaff said it best:

“I have realized that Jack’s name will always be remembered because of his name on paintings and books. However, Jack’s life will continue to positively affect you and hundreds who have been privy to his teachings, wisdom and sincere love for all. Today, tomorrow and forever his influence will continue like the ripples caused when a pebble is dropped in smooth water. However, in Jack’s case, his life was a boulder.”

Let’s all pitch in to expand those ripples of Jack’s generosity even farther by supporting the JACK WHITE CHARACTER SCHOLARSHIP. You have two options. Bid on the painting “Jack’s Place” for a chance to win this special piece for your home or office; I will donate the net proceeds to the JACK WHITE CHARACTER SCHOLARSHIP. Or you may contribute directly: CLICK HERE to make your TAX DEDUCTIBLE GIFT to continue Jack White’s legacy of giving.

Don’t linger, the auction ends on Jack’s Birthday, TUESDAY MARCH 6TH at 8PM Texas (Central) Time.

CLICK HERE to go directly to the eBay Auction

Words can’t even begin to express my heartfelt appreciation for your help in honoring “Our Jack White”. As he would say, “Much Obliged”!

http://www.senkarik.com

 

 

 

Venetian Enchantment

Every once in a while I vacillate on an element in my painting composition. This is one of those times. I had originally planned a striped mooring pole. But deciding it was too busy I’m replacing it with a plain wooden post, similar to the thousands seen in Venetian canals. Since light pours into the painting from the upper left, the right side of the upright is made bluer, giving the impression of roundness.

Moss covered bricks line the bottom of the building, just above the water’s edge. The body of water is painted with several shades of Ultramarine Blue + MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + White.

Next, colors from the mossy brick and steps are pulled straight down into the wet paint of the water. This gives the impression of reflections, dancing below the building.

It’s fun adding shimmering reflections from the weathered green shutters, umbrella and table in the courtyard into the canal.

Our romantic Gondola is next. This uniquely Venetian vessel is painted with mixtures of Ivory Black + White.

After painting the Ultramarine Blue cover, gold trim is added on the Gondola. Notice the mooring pole, I still can’t make up my mind! The wooden post just seemed too dark and dreary so I scraped it off with my painting knife.

But before dealing with that I’ll finish the water. The gallery wrap canvas is attached to a piece of cardboard, making it easier to handle the wet painting. The entire unit is laid flat on my taboret to finish the lower edge. Want to know how the canvas is attached to the backing board? CLICK HERE to find out.

Back to the striped mooring pole. I think Red and White or Blue and White would be too glaring; let’s go with Blue and Gold.

NOPE…..still doesn’t do it for me. SO……I go back through my Venice reference and discover my solution.

AH HA! Solid COBALT BLUE is just what I’m looking for.

Venetian Enchantment   30″ x 30″

NOW, I’m happy. If you’ve never been to Venice it’s an amazing place. Gliding along in a Gondola through the narrow canals you catch glimpses of hidden, romantic courtyards. The experience fills your heart with “Venetian Enchantment”! Thank you for following my blog! BIG HUGS, 

http://www.senkarik.com

The Striped Awning

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting the Striped Awning Part 1

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting the Striped Awning Part 2

I just love the combination of the green and white awnings juxtaposed against dusty red buildings that you see in Venice. The city of canals is so wonderfully picturesque. Please remember as you read through my blog, you may click on any of the pictures to see them larger.

Geraniums filling the window box are painted in my usual sequence of FLOWERS FIRST, LEAVES LAST. The red blossoms are mixes of Cadmium Red Deep + Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Deep and Cadmium Red Light. The leaves are Pthalo Blue + Lemon Yellow. Sweet Potato Vine is nestled among the Geraniums, the long streamers cascade down from the terra cotta pot.

After making the heart shaped leaves, tendrils are drawn into the wet paint of the wall with a fine liner brush.

Another container of Geraniums resides on the balcony. The plant is painted first, then the wrought iron balusters that support the railing are drawn with a thin mix of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Liquin. My wrist is braced against a mahl stick to steady my hand as I draw them. The challenge is to make all of the curves the same! WHEW!

Fortunately I planned to have Nasturtiums dangling through the balusters so I wouldn’t have to show so many of them. Jack always used to say, “Plants cover up a multitude of sins!” Must admit, I certainly use them in designing my paintings to cover up architectural details I don’t want to delineate.

The Nasturtiums are mixes of Cadmium Red Light + Cadmium Orange, Cadmium Orange and Cadmium Orange + Cadmium Yellow Medium. The leaves are Ptahlo Blue + Cadmium Orange + Lemon Yellow + White. That’s all for this session, hope you’ll come back for the next one. Please feel free to ask questions in the comments section below. Thank you for following along and have a great day. With Colorful Smiles and Hugs,

http://www.senkarik.com

 

 

Red Walls and Stone Archway

I love the weathered red stucco walls found on many of the buildings lining the shimmering canals of Venice.  Mixtures of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + extra Alizarin Crimson + Cadmium Red Light + a tiny bit of White are used for the wall on the far side of the arch.

Moving to the near side of the arch more Cadmium Red Light and White are added to the mixtures. This color is warmer and lighter, making the wall appear to come forward. This follows the simple rule: WARM COLORS COME FORWARD, COOL COLORS GO BACK.

A little Cadmium Orange is added to the wall mixes to make the old bricks showing through the “Rotten Stucco”.  I have to laugh when I use this term. Marcus and Nancy Perkins, the owners of a gallery in Santa Fe who represented my paintings years ago, asked me one day if I would do a painting with some “Rotten Stucco”. Jack and I didn’t have a clue what they were talking about. Marcus went on to explain that the Southwest buildings were made with adobe bricks that were then stuccoed over. When the buildings got old the stucco would break off, revealing the old bricks underneath. “Rotten Stucco” was a Santa Fe colloquialism. Jack and I quickly adopted the phrase into our vocabulary.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting the Stone over the Top of the Arch.

The flat plane on the tops of the stone steps is made lighter than the upright riser, or side. This is because the top of the step receives more light from above.

The railing and terra cotta planter box in the window finish us up for today. Thank you for following along. And I am still trying to get a picture of Brave Heart. So far I haven’t been in the kitchen at the right time to see him at my feeder! HUGS,

http://www.senkarik.com

SPRING! AHHHHHHHHHHH!

My garden is looking really bare. I’ve gotten everything pruned and mulched. Am SO ready for ‘ol Man Winter to head far, far away and make room for our beautiful Texas spring.

Well, imagine my surprise as I walked through on my morning inspection and noticed tiny buds, as well as an actual FLOWER on Rosie, our Texas Redbud Tree. She’s the middle one in the top picture. Pinky, on the left, and Ruby are Forest Pansy Redbud Trees. They bud out later which gives us a longer blooming period. Spring is beginning to SPRINGGGGGGG in our part of the world. My heart goes out to those of you still frozen solid up in the north. To see Rosie’s first blossom of 2018 enlarged just click on the image. 

OK, back to work. I’m working on the interior courtyard. After painting the stone wall with mixes of White + Cadmium Orange  + a tiny bit of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) I move to the shutters. They are made of combinations of Viridian Green + Pthalo Blue + White. I like the variations in the brushstrokes, makes them appear to be old and weathered.

The heart shaped backs of the wrought iron chairs are pulled into the wet paint of the background wall. Bracing my wrist against the mahl stick steadies my hand as I draw with a brush dipped in a mix of MUD + Liquin.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting the Umbrella

My color mixes are ready for the tablecloths. #1. A mix of MUD + Liquin. #2. Four different shades of Cadmium Red Light + Alizarin Crimson + MUD + White. #3. A couple of mixes of White + Ultramarine Blue. #4. Pure White. #5. Three combinations of White + MUD + a tiny touch of Cadmium Orange.

The shadow areas of the white tablecloth are painted first with the darker mixes. Then I come back and finish the sunlit portion. Highlights are made with Pure White.

The Coral colored cloth is painted with the different shades of the #2 mixes. To make the highlights on the folds draping down at the corners, the brush is pulled straight up from the bottom edge of the cloth.

An Italian tile floor completes our hidden courtyard! I appreciate you following along. Please feel free to ask questions, I’m always happy to answer them. BIG HUGS,

http://www.senkarik.com

To Venice We Shall Go….

I’m overwhelmed at all the wonderful messages I’ve received about Brave Heart! Thank you. And yes, I’m definitely still trying to get a picture of my inspiring feathered friend. What makes it challenging is he doesn’t announce his visits like Mr. Chippers does with his characteristic Chip, Chip, Chip. Brave Heart is stealthily silent as he approaches the feeder. Which I understand completely, it’s a defense mechanism. But the feeder is located outside our kitchen window, far out of sight from my easel. So all depends on if I’m in the kitchen at the right time. I can just hear Jack laughing and continuing, “AND…..You’re never in the kitchen, since you don’t cook!” I’ll have to admit, gardening and painting are my favorites, NOT domestic duties. ‘Nuf said!

Speaking of inspiration…..Here’s the spark for my newest painting for our gallery in Sedona, Exposures Fine Art. I was captivated by this arch in an abbey located somewhere in Tuscany, I think. Immediately a Venice scene popped into my mind.

Grabbing the closest sketch pad I scribbled my thoughts down on paper. Then “Venetian Enchantment” floated through the recesses of my brain. PERFECT!

Working on a 30 inch by 30 inch gallery wrap canvas I begin drawing the basic architectural plan with a thin oil wash of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Liquin. You can see the perspective lines that were drawn using a straight edge.

I love old architecture and working out the complexities of the multiple arches in this doorway is especially intriguing, as well as a challenge.

A T-Square is balanced on the top edge of the canvas, enabling me to make the upright lines of the window and railings straight.

After getting the building constructed, I’ve decided to move the gondola from the left to the right side of the painting. If you’d like to see how I’d first envisioned it, just scroll back to the sketch at the beginning of the post. I feel this gives the piece a better balance.

The striped mooring pole is next. Please remember as you read through my blog, you may click on any of the images to see them larger.

Now let’s draw the romantic table for two in the intimate courtyard.

And what would an Italian dinner be without some wine? The bottle is first washed in with a mix of Sap Green + Liquin. Then a mix of Alizarin Crimson + Liquin is applied over the lower portion to give the impression of some wine remaining in the bottle.

Wine glasses complete the table setting. Then the Bougainvilleas lining the interior wall of the courtyard are washed in with mixes of Permanent Rose + Liquin. They cascade down; their bright pink bracts can be seen through the openings of the window and arch. That finishes up the sketch, this post is actually two days work compressed into one session. I appreciate you visiting our studio. If you would like to receive an email every time I publish a new post please feel free to subscribe to my blog. CLICK THIS LINK and scroll to the upper right side of the page. You will see a heading EMAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS. Just enter your email address and click the button “Sign me up!”  It’s easy. And if you enjoy my blog please CLICK the FaceBook LIKE Button. As we say in Texas, “Much Obliged!

http://www.senkarik.com

 

BRAVE HEART

I’M SO EXCITED, I’ve had a new visitor showing up at our bird feeder the last several months. At first I didn’t realize this fella was a tiny bit different. But then I noticed he wasn’t our regular Mr. Chippers. So why all the hubbub about another Cardinal? WELL……

This guy only has one leg! I’ve been trying to snap a picture of him while he’s at the feeder but he’s extremely cautious and just too skittish. A survival technique, I’m sure. However, I can step out of his sight at the kitchen window and watch him feed. His left leg is just a stump, it’s amazing how he balances on his right leg. His habits are different from Mr. Chippers but God has taken care of him; he’s adapted. I’ve decided to call this plucky little guy, “Brave Heart”.

The newest member of my wild menagerie is a wonderful reminder of how God gives us the strength to adapt. Every one of us has had situations or circumstances out of our control, that have changed our lives drastically. As Jack would say, “We can’t control what happens to us, but we can control how we react to it”. And helping us to react positively and move forward with joy are the amazing people Our Lord puts in our lives. I want to say how thankful I am for you! I appreciate your kind and encouraging comments.

SO HAPPY VALENTINE’S to ALL! With Colorful Smiles and Big Hugs,

http://www.senkarik.com

 

Southwest Inspiration

Our next step is to tile the floor of the entryway. The entire surface is first covered to establish the light and shadow pattern. Then the perspective lines of the rows of satillo tiles are drawn into the wet paint with a fine liner brush. I do this freehand; bracing against the mahl stick would limit the movement of my hand and I couldn’t make straight lines.

Horizontal lines separating the tiles are drawn, then the edges of the individual pavers are highlighted. If you’d like to see this better you may click on the image to enlarge the picture.

Let’s plant Geraniums! They are blocked in FLOWERS FIRST (1) and LEAVES LAST (2). Cadmium Red Deep + Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Deep and Cadmium Red Light are used for the blossoms. Combinations of Pthalo Blue + Lemon Yellow make up the foliage.

THE flower buds that are so characteristic of Geraniums are added with a mix of Pthalo Blue + Lemon Yellow + White.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting the Hollyhocks.

“Southwest Inspiration”  

Our quirky little Santa Fe gate is ready to head off to my gallery there, The Santa Fe Art Collector. The cheery yellow bench and bright blue gate will bring a touch of “Southwest Inspiration” to some collector’s heart and home! I appreciate all of your kind comments, they mean so much to me! Also, please feel free to ask questions, this blog is for you! HUGS,

http://www.senkarik.com

Canale, Chilis and a Gecko

Most of the adobe homes in Santa Fe have flat roofs. When it rains, drains are needed to keep them from leaking. One way the water is redirected is by channels built out of wood or metal called “Canales”.  This one extends from the roof, over the little entry garden, to the exterior courtyard wall. These unique details make Southwestern architecture really fun to paint.

Trumpet Vine cascades down, over the wall of the house on the left. The mass of flowers is blocked in first, with mixes of Cadmium Orange + Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Light and Cadmium Orange. Then leaves are added using mixtures of Ptahlo Blue + Cadmium Yellow Medium.

After the foliage is complete, deep centers are made in the blossoms with Alizarin Crimson + Liquin. Bracing my wrist against the mahl stick steadies my hand.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting the Chili Ristra

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: The Little Gecko on the Bench

We’re done for today. Hope you’ll come back to help tile the floor and plant flowers in our next session! HUGS,

http://www.senkarik.com

Window and Gate

The Lintel, or beam, over the gate and window are made with mixes of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Cadmium Orange + White. Please remember, you may click on any of the images to view them larger.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting the Decorative Wrought Iron Grill in the Window

Here’s the decorative wrought iron grill in the window completely finished. Now we’ll move on to the gate.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting the Gate

Our quirky little blue gate made of mixtures of Pthalo Blue + White is all done. Notice how the hinges are constructed to echo the design on the window grill. I appreciate you following my blog! Please feel free to ask questions in the comments section. HUGS,

http://www.senkarik.com