Bluebonnets on eBay!

“Promise of the New Day”

I’ve always loved getting up before dawn. Watching the early morning sky brighten fills me with joy and anticipation of what adventures the new day will bring. Colors dance across the clouds as the sun’s rays change them from rich purple to lavender to rose to pink. And I can think of no better way to experience the “Promise of the New Day” than overlooking a field of our Texas spring Bluebonnets! You may click on any of these images to see enlargements.

CLICK HERE to go directly to the eBay Auction

“Promise of the New Day” measures 7.5 inches by 10.5 inches. It’s framed in our Senkarik/White Signature Frame, the outer dimension of which is 11 inches by 14 inches. The frame is durable acrylic that can be washed with Windex and a soft, lint free cloth. The painting has the hanging wire attached; it’s ready to put up on your wall!

The regular price of “Promise of the New Day” is $590, however we are starting the bid at ONLY A PENNY! That’s correct, you can jump in right now for the chance to win this SENKARIK Original Oil Painting for ONLY 1 CENT!

To go to the eBay Auction CLICK HERE

Enjoy the “Promise of the New Day” in your home or on your office wall. Mother’s Day is right around the corner! This painting would be a wonderful way to say “I LOVE YOU”. Give that special MOM in your life the joy of a Bluebonnet sunrise; every time she sees “Promise of the New Day” she’ll be reminded of your LOVE!

PLEASE DON’T FORGET!!!!

Speaking of Mother’s Day please don’t forget the paintings I’m offering at a special savings just for your MOM!

 These prices will only last through May 13th. The pieces shown above are only a few of those available.

CLICK HERE to view the entire Mother’s Day collection.

AND don’t hesitate on bidding for “Promise of the New Day”, the eBay auction ends Sunday, May 5th at 8PM Texas (Central) Time!

To go to the eBay Auction CLICK HERE

BIG HUGS,

http://www.senkarik.com

 

 

 

Spring in the Senkarik/White Garden

I thought you would enjoy seeing some of God’s beautiful touch in our garden. All of the plants have started to mature and this spring seem exceptionally pretty! These are Rock Purslane and Aloe.

The view out of the front door! It’s so pretty in the morning, back lit by the sun.

Our Knock Out Roses are Knocking it Out of the Park! And to think I had trimmed them back to stubs, 8 inches above the ground, on Valentine’s Day!

The Peggy Martin Roses on the Kitchen Garden Arbor are keeping up with the Knock Outs! And Bluebonnets have popped up in the Jack-N-Mikki medallion. You may enlarge the picture to see this better, just click on the image.

Peggy, up close and personal.

More Bluebonnets!

Christmas Amaryllis bloom in the spring out in the garden.

A couple of our irises finally had flowers this year!

Another Peggy Martin Rose Arbor going into the fountain courtyard.

The view from the covered back porch. I wish you could smell the Star Jasmine behind the fountain, the fragrance is amazing.

Begonias and Geranium in square chimney pipe planters!

I’m guaranteed to ALWAYS have at least one hummingbird!

My view out the window as I work at the easel.

Little Sissie basking in the sunshine! Wish you could be here to enjoy our beautiful spring! By the way, 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our First Recipient of the JACK WHITE CHARACTER AWARD!

I’ve been traveling the last couple of days! Went to Brownwood, Texas for the Awards Ceremony at Howard Payne University, Jack’s Alma Mater. Arriving the evening before I had a delightful dinner with Randy Yeakley, Howard Payne’s Vice President of Development and his wife, Leslie. Then we attended a wonderful symphony concert given by the University’s orchestra! What fun!

The next morning was the official Chapel Convocation where Academic Awards were given to outstanding students. Howard Payne’s President, Dr. Bill Ellis, congratulated all of the recipients. When time came for Jack’s Award a little introduction was given:

“On this, the inaugural awarding of the JACK WHITE CHARACTER AWARD a word is necessary to explain the nature of the award and the man remembered and honored by it.

Jack White attended Howard Payne University, graduating in 1955. It was at Howard Payne 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. Jack was an extremely generous person.  He was generous with his time, talent and resources.

Jack’s wife, artist Mikki Senkarik, and Jack’s close friend, Coach Grant Teaff agreed that it would be fitting to create an award to honor Jack’s memory for years to come at the school he loved, his Alma Mater, Howard Payne.

The recipient of this award is to be a student pursuing a degree within the School of Music and Fine Arts with preference for students pursuing a Fine Arts degree.  Additionally, the recipient must be judged to be a person of high moral character by the faculty who know her/him.”

AND NOW……TA DA…..The very first recipient of the Jack White Character Award is Sarah Abigail (Abi) Brown! Department Chair Professor of Art, David Harmon, presented Abi with her Award. Abi is an All-Level Art Teacher Certification Major and a Spanish Minor. An extremely dedicated student, she also earned an Award as the “Outstanding Lower Division Student of Spanish”. I know Jack was smiling down from Heaven and proud that our first recipient is a woman! He’s always been a champion for women artists, feeling that the art world has treated them so unfairly throughout history.

Coach Grant Teaff, his wife Donell, Abi and me!

Dr. Richard Jackson, an Alum of HPU, is also the interim pastor at the First Baptist Church in Brownwood. He’s known Coach and Donell for many years. Jill Underwood, HPU Instructor of Education, grew up with the Teaffs. She is similar in age to one of the Teaff’s girls and her father was Team Physician for the Baylor Football Team. So it was like old home week for my dear friends. Both Dr. Jackson and Jill know Abi quite well and are very proud of her accomplishments.

Dr. Ellis and Randy took us all out to lunch following the ceremony. Coach told of how he first met “Jack White”.

Stories continued all through our meal. Everyone had a great time.

Afterwards Randy took me by the art department so I could see the facilities that are housed in an old Coca Cola warehouse. David was there so he gave us the grand tour. Walking through the painting studio I was drawn to one particular piece. I asked David, “Who did this? It’s beautiful!”

His answer brought joy to my heart, “Oh, that’s Abi’s painting!”

 

I asked if I could take a picture and he said, “Absolutely!”

Abi has painted mostly in Watercolor and only worked in acrylic a short while. The sureness and confidence in her brushwork is wonderful. Her drawing abilities are strong and I love the highlights on the apple, made with crisp, definite brushstrokes. I can just hear Jack saying, “WAY TO GO, GURL!”

I would like to thank all of you who have helped us grow the fund for the JACK WHITE CHARACTER AWARD. We still have a little ways to go before it is self sustaining. Our goal is to have an Endowed Scholarship that will earn enough interest to extend the Award into perpetuity. If you would like to join us in continuing Jack’s Legacy of Generosity you may CLICK HERE to make a tax deductible donation to the JACK WHITE CHARACTER AWARD.

With Heartfelt appreciation and HAPPY HUGS,

Serene Welcome

 

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting the African Daisies

The Sunflowers are blocked in, working around the side of the gallery wrap canvas. Mixes of Cadmium Yellow Medium + a touch of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson), Cadmium Yellow Medium + Alizarin Crimson and Cadmium Yellow Medium are used. You may click on this, or any of the other images to see them larger.

After painting the large leaves with combinations of Ultramarine Blue + Lemon Yellow and a few touches of Pthalo Blue + White, the dark centers are added to the flowers. A mix of MUD + Liquin works perfectly.

Hollyhocks spire up behind the wheelbarrow. The dark indentations in the middle of the White flowers are made with Magenta + Liquin. My left hand is braced against the cardboard backing; resting my right on it gives me a steady base to delineate the yellow stamens. 

A special color not usually found on our palette, Viridian Green, is used for the old wooden wheelbarrow. A little White is added in for the lighter portions.

The heart shaped leaves of Sweet Potato Vine tumble out from underneath bright Red Geraniums.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting the Foxgloves

Serene Welcome   24 inches by 30 inches

Colorful flowers and sun washed tiles offer a “Serene Welcome“! Thank you for following along. And PLEASE, always feel free to ask questions. With Happy Hugs,

http://www.senkarik.com

Saltillo Tile

The rock wall is completely in shadow. Therefore it is first painted with several darker shades of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Ultramarine Blue + Cadmium Orange + White. Coming back, I indicate the crevices between the stones. This is done impressionistically as I don’t want to outline each individual rock. Also highlights on the upper edge of a few of the stones are added.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting the Tile Floor – Part 1

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting the Tile Floor – Part 2

Since the image extends over the sides of a gallery wrap canvas the painting is attached to a piece of cardboard so I can handle it without getting messy. OR….messing up the painting! The entire unit is placed on a desk chair with the lower edge facing up. This allows me to continue the floor on to the bottom of the gallery wrap canvas with ease. Would you like to see how the painting is attached to the cardboard? Just CLICK HERE to find out!

Terra cotta containers are painted with mixtures of MUD + a little Cadmium Red Light + Cadmium Orange + White. The wrought iron holder for the wall planter is drawn, wet into wet over the terra cotta color with MUD + Liquin. Highlights in the rusty metal are some of the colors from the floor tile. You may click on the image to see it larger.

Nasturtiums cascade out of the wall planter. The flowers are made with Cadmium Orange + Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Light and pure Cadmium Orange. The leaves are varying shades of Ultramarine Blue + Cadmium Yellow Medium.

A Mediterranean garden wouldn’t be complete without some Geraniums. These are mixes of Cadmium Red Deep + Magenta, Cadmium Red Deep and Cadmium Red Light. The foliage and distinctive buds are combinations of Pthalo Blue + Lemon Yellow.

We finish up today by painting the tall container residing at the base of the door. Mixtures left over from the other flower pots are used. Thank you for joining me today, hope you’ll come back for our next session. I’ll be working on the wheelbarrow! HUGS,

http://www.senkarik.com

Let’s Go To The Mediterranean

Today I’m starting on a new piece for my gallery in Sedona, Arizona: Exposures International Gallery of Fine Art. My basic plan is sketched on the canvas and I’m ready to begin painting.

Sun washed stucco and tiles roofs are so Mediterranean. And Bougainvilleas complete the feeling. This one is blocked in with mixes of Permanent Rose + White. The foliage is combinations of Viridian Green + a touch of Cadmium Yellow Medium. To see this more clearly you may click on the image to enlarge the picture.

The sunlit portion of the white stucco wall is NOT pure white. Rather White + a bit of Ultramarine Blue + a tiny touch of Cadmium Orange is used. I’ve reserved my pure White to use later to highlight the glass in the lantern.

The shadow of the arched door is carefully painted around the lantern with a mixture of Pthalo Blue + White + a tiny bit of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson).

After painting the light part of the door with a combination of Pthalo Blue + White, I begin on the wrought iron lantern holder. Mixes of MUD + Cadmium Orange and MUD + Cadmium Orange + White are used to delineate the rusty metal.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting the Shutters

That’s our session for today, thank you for following along! 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

Flowers for Mothers Day

2018 is FLYING by, Mother’s Day is just a couple of weeks away! The gift of a Senkarik Original Oil Painting will bring smiles for years to come, long after fresh flowers and candy are gone. I’m offering an exclusive selection of Paintings that are specially priced just for Mother’s Day giving. CLICK HERE to shop the entire Mother’s Day Collection.

Spring Bouquet        11 inches by 11 inches

In a quandary about what to give that special mom in your life? What about a “Spring Bouquet”, straight from the heart of Texas! Nothing like spring wildflowers in the Hill Country of the Lone Star State to joyfully announce “I LOVE YOU”!

“Spring Bouquet” is framed in our Senkarik/White Signature Frame. The outside dimension is 16 inches by 16 inches. The regular price is $690 but through May 13 this piece will be $600.

“Graceful Elegance”       9 inches by 7 inches

Maybe that wonderful mom in your life likes orchids, here are some graceful white ones that never need watering! This painting is also framed in our Senkarik/White Signature Frame and is 12 inches tall by 10 inches wide. “Graceful Elegance” is regularly $590 but will be only $500 from now through May 13. CLICK HERE to shop my exclusive Mother’s Day Collection.

Everlasting Roses     9 inches by 7 inches

These Roses are Everlasting! Just like the love you have for that hard working mother in your life.

A little different from my usual pieces; the flowers break out into the Senkarik/White Signature Frame. You may click on the image to see it larger. “Everlasting Roses” is the same size and price as “Graceful Elegance”; $500 through Mom’s special day.

 

The following 4 paintings are some of my unique VIGNETTES! I can’t carry a tune in a bucket but my paintbrush dances to the melodies of delightful memories playing in my heart. A vignette is a brief but inviting scene that leaves you wanting to experience more. These pieces are filled with flowers that require absolutely no care, so your Mom can just sit back and enjoy the view! The regular price of these pieces is $390; however, they will be only $350 through May 13.

Gardener’s Friends

Gardeners spend many hours out among the flowers and vegetables wearing faithful rubber boots. Eventually the footwear develops cracks in the soles, no longer keeping feet dry. But they’ve become friends, it doesn’t seem right to just throw them away. So I repurpose them as planters, they already have drainage! These yellow boots, filled with Nasturtiums, Pansies and Angelonia, will bring a splash of happy to a gardening Mom every time she sees them in her home or office.

All of the VIGNETTES are painted on a 6 inch by 6 inch cradled panel. The side, measuring 1 1/2 inches, is painted black. Each one is wired and ready to hang on the recipient’s wall.  CLICK HERE to browse all of the paintings in this exclusive Mother’s Day Collection.

Takin’ A Nap     6 inches by 6 inches

Kitties and Gardening go together like Apple Pie and Ice Cream. Or here in Texas it’s Pecan Pie and Ice Cream. This cute sweetie is all tuckered out from helping Mama fill this old watering can with plants!

Petal Power  6 inches by 6 inches

Rounding a corner in Provence, Jack and I came upon a bicycle loaded with flower filled baskets. He immediately exclaimed, “That bike has Petal Power!” Leave it to Jack, “my namer”! I painted this one purple as a reminder of all the beautiful Lavender fields in the south of France. Give the Mom you love a bit of “Petal Power” to bring a burst of joy to her busy day.

Scarlet Sentry  6 inches by 6 inches

Cardinals bring happiness to my heart; my spirits jump for joy when I hear the distinctive chip, chip, chip announcing the arrival of Mr. Chippers! He’s a “Scarlet Sentry”, keeping watch over this colorful bouquet as well as that special mom in your life!

Get one or several, the Vignettes work great in groupings! Please keep in mind, the regular price of these pieces is $390; however, they will be only $350 through May 13. To shop the complete Mother’s Day Collection CLICK HERE.

I’ll be happy to personalize the back of the art for the recipient; please let me know as soon as possible after your purchase. Thank you for making my art a part of your Mother’s Day gifting! HUGS,

http://www.senkarik.com

Polka Dot Pup

The Hollyhocks are painted in my usual sequence of FLOWERS FIRST, LEAVES LAST. Working around the edge of the gallery wrap canvas the blossoms are mixes of White + Ultramarine Blue, White + Diaxazine Purple and White + Pthalo Blue. Foliage is made of various combinations of Ultramarine Blue + Lemon Yellow.

Pure White is used to highlight the large flowers illuminated by the sun. The final touch is to add the distinctive Hollyhock stalks bearing seed pods.

Siberian Iris nestle at the base of the Hollies. Mixtures of Cobalt Blue + White are used for the delicate blooms.

Sweet Potato Vine cascades out of the stone planter, providing a dark background that accentuates our mama Dalmatian.

I begin painting her body as if she is solid white. Mixes of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Ultramarine Blue + Cadmium Orange + White are used. The left side of her neck is made with a stroke of Ultramarine Blue + White that is a little lighter in value. The coolness of the blue helps to give the appearance of roundness.

Highlights are made with White + a tiny touch of Cadmium Orange. This makes the white warmer, bringing it forward of the cooler, pure White on the Hollyhocks.

Spots are now added with Ivory Black.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting the Polka Dot Pup!

Stop and Smell the Flowers     14″ x 14″

And TA DA, we’re done! What a patient mama to pause and keep watch over her baby as he “Stops and Smells the Flowers”! But don’t you wonder if she’s thinking, “Hurry up son, we’re going to be late for dinner”? I appreciate all of your kind comments, thanks for following along! HUGS,

http://www.senkarik.com

Purple Passion Vine and Agapanthus

The ancient stone wall is painted with several combinations in varying proportions of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Cadmium Orange + more Ultramarine Blue + White. Please keep in mind as you read through my blog, you may click on any of the images to see them larger.

Jeana requested a couple of vines to intertwine as they cascade down over the arch, English Ivy and Purple Passion Vine. First the flowers of the Passion Vine are blocked in with mixes of Dioxazine Purple + White. Then Ivy is painted around the blossoms with mixtures of Viridian Green + White.

Coming back, the foliage of the Passion Vine is added with mixes of Viridian Green + Cadmium Yellow Medium + White.

The last step in painting this unique vine is to add the petals and centers in the flowers.

Vines are complete, come watch as I paint the Agapanthus nestled along the base of the outside wall.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting Agapanthus

MUD + Cadmium Orange + White are combined for the cobblestones. After establishing the light and shadow pattern on the path, deep crevices between the stones are delineated with a mix of MUD + Liquin.

The milk can, given to Jeana by her mother, is a very special memento. Her mom also had a pet name for her daughter, Minerva! So adding it on the container brings a heartwarming memory. My left hand is braced against the unpainted part of the canvas to steady my right as I carve the letters into the wet paint of the can.

My collector loves shamrocks! We had originally discussed having several on the milk can but I’ve decided it will look better with just one large clover.

Ivy Geraniums, with flowers of Magenta + White, and Sweet Potato Vine tumble out of the old milk can.

Salvia completes the garden hugging the right side of the path. We’ll be planting Hollyhocks and Siberian Iris in our next session, why don’t you grab a pair of gardening gloves and come help? HUGS,

http://www.senkarik.com

Ocean View

 

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting the Sky and Ocean

Here is my model for the rocks and waves. This is across the street from where Jack and I were very fortunate to live in Pacific Grove, California, not far from Carmel. Talk about a dreamy location, it was difficult to leave. If it hadn’t been so cold we may have stayed there forever! For a warmer spot we moved from California to Long Boat Key, Florida. The coolest thing is, that’s almost where this painting is headed. Jeana lives about 5 miles from where we were! I’m not going to follow my reference picture exactly , I just want to catch the essence of the crashing surf. So come watch……

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting Rocks and Crashing Waves

The meadow overlooking the ocean is painted with mixes of Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Orange + a tiny bit of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + White. The MUD dulls the green so it will drop into the distance. In the sketch I originally had a fence across the field. But after getting to this point I realized the fence would be very restrictive, not allowing the viewer to visually go down the beach. SO….we aren’t going to put it in! The scene is much more open and inviting without any barrier. Besides, we want the pooches to be able to go down and run on the sand. The wall to the right of the path is made bluer at the far end, this makes it recede.

Morning Glories, made of Magenta + Dioxazine Purple + White, drape over the rugged stone wall.

The foliage is mixes of Viridian Green + White. The wall and vine provide a nice dark, accentuating the sunlit rocks and surf in the distance. I appreciate you visiting the studio today, hope you’ll come back. HUGS,

http://www.senkarik.com