Just finished two new pieces for my Santa Fe Gallery, Legends of the West. The first is FLAVOR OF SANTA FE.
Come watch the process from beginning to end!
The second painting gives that Bronze Rooster on the wall plenty of COLOR TO CROW ABOUT!
Follow the complete process on the VIDEO PROGRESSION above.
I appreciate you visiting my studio today. I’d like to invite you to subscribe to my blog, you’ll receive an email every time I publish a new post. CLICK THIS LINK and scroll to the upper right side of the page. You will see a heading EMAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS. Just click the button “Sign me up!” It’s easy. Please keep in mind, to move through the blog when you get the posts, just CLICK on the small titles at the top of the page. The one on the right for the next post or the title on the left side for the previous session.
Thank you for subscribing and have a wonderful day!
ALL SENKARIK IMAGES ARE PROTECTED UNDER INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT LAW
After blocking in the tree on the bank, the small branches are indicated with a fine liner brush. You may click on this, or any other image, to see an enlargement.
Rocks are painted wet-into-wet over the water behind them. Mixes of MUD (2 parts Ultramarine Blue + 1 part Alizarin Crimson) + Cadmium Orange + Ultramarine Blue + White are used.
The uppermost rocks of the outcropping are illuminated by the sun. White is added to the rock mixtures for the highlights.
The bright Bougainvillea, tumbling over the rocks, is painted with Permanent Rose + Magenta + White and Permanent Rose + White.
Sunlight, streaming into the painting from the left, sparkles on the long arms of the Bougainvillea gently dancing in the breeze.
On Pastor Doug’s previous trip to the Holy Land in 2019, the Sea of Galilee was very low. At that time, the six stones were high and dry on the beach in front of the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter at Tabgha.
It is believed this is the spot where Jesus appeared to his disciples for the third time after his Resurrection and cooked for them. Where Jesus called out to his apostles, telling them to cast their net to the right side of the boat, where they caught so many fish, they couldn’t even haul in the net. Upon their return to shore, they saw that Jesus had prepared breakfast for them. The rock on which they ate, known in Latin as “Mensa Christi,” is located inside the Church directly in front of the altar. It was soon after this meal that Jesus questioned Peter and gave him his commissioning as the head of His Church:
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)
The 6 heart-shaped rocks that once made up the bases of second century columns commemorate the spot believed to be where Jesus stood and called out to his disciples while they were fishing. Though they wouldn’t have been around during the time of Christ, these stones hold a beautifully symbolic meaning to the Christians that journey to see them today. They represent the three questions and the three answers that are exchanged between Jesus and Peter, the depth of love that Jesus holds for his people, and the movement of the heart that Peter experienced to shepherd the flock that Jesus left to his care.
On our trip to Israel this past May, the water level was much higher. The stones were so deep that we couldn’t see them. But just hearing Pastor Doug and the others who had also been on that trip talk about them, I knew I wanted to include these awesome stones in my painting of the Sea of Galilee. So I made the water level lower than it was when I was there, but higher than when the previous picture was taken. Therefore, the stones are partially submerged.
I decided to call this painting, “HEARTS OF STONE – Filled with LOVE”. I don’t know about you, but I normally don’t associate Filled with LOVE and HEARTS OF STONE. If any association at all is made…. it’s LACK of Love.
BUT, on the Sea of Galilee, there are Hearts of STONE – Filled with LOVE! I pray that your Heart will be filled with the strength of the LOVE represented by these stones. Thank you for following along!
With Hugs,
ALL SENKARIK IMAGES ARE PROTECTED UNDER INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT LAW
Painting begins with the sky. Since the sun comes into the piece from the upper left, the sky starts lighter on that side and becomes progressively darker moving to the right. Then Mount Arbel (partially complete on the left) and the surrounding mountains are painted. To see this, or any of the other images larger, just click on the picture.
I’ve covered the distant and middle portion of the water with a mix of Ultramarine Blue + a little MUD (2 parts Ultramarine Blue + 1 part Alizarin Crimson) + White. Then the colors of the mountains are pulled straight down, into the wet paint of the Sea of Galilee, to make their reflections.
The water has been painted with mixes of the Ultramarine Blue + MUD + White, Ultramarine Blue + White, and Pthalo Blue + White. A few brushstokes of Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Orange + White are made closest to the foreground to indicate the ground showing through the shallow water. Trees grow along the distant shore; a fine, broken line is made along the horizon with a mix of White + Ultramarine Blue. This indicates the light glimmering at the water’s edge.
A brilliant splash of light is dragged into the wet paint of the water with a mix of Pthalo Turquoise Blue + White.
Our boat is now added to the scene!
We turn our attention to the point, jutting out into the body of water. Painting the trees over the sky, allows me to keep the edges soft so the peninsula will recede. This follows a basic rule in helping to give the appearance of depth in a painting: Soft edges go back while sharp, hard edges come forward.
I hadn’t noticed this while on the spot sketching, but looking at my photos I realize there is a vineyard on the hillside! The entire field is painted with a mix of Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Yellow Medium + Lemon Yellow. Then a lighter mix of Pthalo Blue + White is used to make the rows of grape vines.
Thank you for following along today. Hope you’ll come back for our next session, we’ll be finishing up. Painting the bright pink Bougainvillea tumbling over the rocks in the foreground is really going to make a difference! With Colorful Smiles,
ALL SENKARIK IMAGES ARE PROTECTED UNDER INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT LAW
Starting a new piece today that’s based on this sketch I drew at the Sea of Galilee while on our trip to Israel and Egypt. Please keep in mind as you read through my blog, you may click on any image to see an enlargement.
One of the highlights of the trip for me, as well as several others, was an early morning cruise on the same body of water that Jesus and the disciples traveled.
Pastor Doug’s devotion was special, his words accentuated by the awesome vista of Mount Arbel in the distance. I wonder how many times Jesus, James, John, Peter and Andrew watched the sunlight dance across these very same mountains? I don’t imagine they’ve changed much in over 2000 years, this is the same mountainous profile they saw every time they crossed the Sea of Galilee. I get goosebumps thinking of it.
Let’s get to work! First the horizon line and silhouette of the distant mountains are drawn with a brush dipped in a thin oil wash of MUD (2 parts Ultramarine Blue + 1 part Alizarin Crimson) + Liquin Original. Then the basic shapes of the layers of shoreline are indicated.
Bougainvillea covered rocks will provide a brilliant splash of color in the foreground.
Our boat sails onto the canvas and we’re ready to begin painting. Please come back for the next session and follow along!
I’d like to invite you to subscribe to my blog, you’ll receive an email every time I publish a new post. CLICK THIS LINK and scroll to the upper right side of the page. You will see a heading EMAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS. Just click the button “Sign me up!” It’s easy. Please keep in mind, to move through the blog when you get the posts, just CLICK on the small titles at the top of the page. The one on the right for the next post or the title on the left side for the previous session.
Thank you for subscribing and have a wonderful day!
ALL SENKARIK IMAGES ARE PROTECTED UNDER INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT LAW
Last Wednesday morning was beautiful, the air fresh and cool. We’d had substantial rain the afternoon before, welcome relief to almost 2 months of 100+ degree temperatures. The singing of birds filled my heart with happiness.
Walking along my regular route a gleam, flashing out through the debris of leaves washed up against the curb, caught my eye. Bending down to investigate, I saw a shiny copper penny. Picking up the small coin the thought ran through my mind, “Mikki, is this REALLY worth the effort?”
Considering the current price of gas, probably not. In terms of purchasing power a penny is pretty much worthless these days. HOWEVER, the message borne on the small disk, “IN GOD WE TRUST”, is PRICELESS!
I think of the brave men who used these four words as the cornerstone in building the foundation of our wonderful country. Trusting God to guide them in their efforts to develop a framework within which people could live and worship freely. That small, seemingly worthless penny prompted me to pray for our county and our leaders. I asked Our Lord to continue to Guide everyone with His wisdom, helping them to treat each other with love, respect and understanding even though opinions differ greatly.
Today we commemorate the Declaration of Independence that was announced on July 4, 1776. It’s a great privilege to live in the United States of America. God Bless our Founding Fathers who prayed, IN GOD WE TRUST. God Bless all those who fought for our freedom and all our current Military personnel who continue to protect it, as well as fight for the freedom of those in other counties. Thanks to them, their families and the sacrifices they’ve made, we can celebrate the 4th of July.
Many of us will gather this day with family and friends to celebrate, cook out and watch fireworks. I have a request, during your festivities please pause to say a prayer for everyone in our country, our leaders and ALL who serve and protect us. We are so very blessed to live in America and be able to say the words of the priceless message on that shiny penny, “IN GOD WE TRUST”.
Have a Safe and Happy Independence Day!
ALL SENKARIK IMAGES ARE PROTECTED UNDER INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT LAW
Frame is dry and the painting is up on my easel. The first thing to do is fill in the crack with Winsor Newton Titanium White ALKYD OIL Paint. Please keep in mind as you read through my blog, you may click on any image to see an enlargement.
The excess is scraped off with my painting knife and the Alkyd Oil is allowed to dry overnight.
Let’s begin painting!
The adobe wall is repainted with combinations of White + MUD (2 parts Ultramarine Blue + 1 part Alizarin Crimson) + Cadmium Orange + Ultramarine Blue.
Next, the tear in the window is painted with a mix of Dioxazine Purple + White. Then the Lintel over the window is redone.
The oils painted over the torn area will have a tendency to sink into the crack as they dry. Even in a few days the dip would be noticeable. I asked William Hagerman, an artist friend of Jack’s and mine, what he would recommend. He directed me to LIQUIN OLEOPASTO; it can be mixed into oil paint to give it a heavy impasto texture that will retain its shape. I mix a nickel-sized dab of LIQUIN OLEOPASTO into the glob of white oil paint that’s about twice that amount. THANK YOU William! If you’d like to see his wonderful paintings, CLICK HERE.
To keep a uniform look, all of the White flowers draping down over the doorway are repainted.
The vine and White flowers are extended to the right to cover over the ripped area of the canvas. The heavy impasto texture of the paint, with the LIQUIN OLEOPASTO added, will disguise the damaged area.
I can’t let the rest of the painting go untouched. I want to “Freshen It Up” by repainting all of the flowers so it will look good as new. Permanent Rose + White and Permanent Rose + Cadmium Red Light brighten up the Geraniums.
California Poppies are accentuated with mixtures of Cadmium Red Light + Cadmium Orange, Cadmium Orange + Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Orange and Cadmium Orange + Cadmium Yellow Medium. Centers are delineated with Alizarin Crimson.
Tall spiky blossoms of Salvia are painted with Magenta + White and Magenta + Dioxazine Purple + White. The ones to the left of my brush have been redone. I still need to paint those to the right of my brush.
Foliage of the Salvia is now painted with mixtures of Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Orange + White.
The Repair of the CAT-tastrophe and freshening of the painting is complete. Scroll up to the third picture at the beginning of this post to see the ‘before’ version. After some time to dry, I’ll be shipping “Unspoken Tranquility of Santa Fe” back home.
Now Gizmo can rest easy. Here he is being comforted by his Rag Doll buddy, “Boy”. If Tony and Jessica don’t tell, no one will even know the painting was ever damaged! However, I imagine the story of his little mishap will follow Gizmo for a LONG time!
Thank you for following along on this process, I’ve certainly enjoyed having you! With Big Hugs,
ALL SENKARIK IMAGES ARE PROTECTED UNDER INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT LAW
Mikki Senkarik 