America is Hope. It’s Compassion, it’s Excellence, it’s Valor. AMERICA IS LIBERTY! On the morning of July 4, 1996, Jack and I visited the Statue of Liberty in New York City. Then we drove to Pittsburgh, PA to see the movie “INDEPENDENCE DAY”. It had just premiered the day before and starred Bill Pullman and Will Smith. What a super fun and memorable 4th of July! Thought you’d enjoy knowing a little of the back story on “Lady Liberty”. Most of us think the statue was a present from France to America; that is technically correct. But we Americans actually have another country to thank for ..read more

The Wildflower Field is initially covered with several mixes of Alizarin Crimson + White, Magenta + White, Dioxazine Purple + White and Ultramarine Blue + White. If you’d like to see any of these images larger, just click on the picture. Bluebonnets, made of Cobalt Blue + White, nestle with Indian Paintbrush among the rocks lining the stream. Coreopsis, snuggled next to the Bluebonnets, are blocked in with combinations of Cadmium Yellow Medium + MUD (2 parts Ultramarine Blue + 1 part Alizarin Crimson), Cadmium Yellow Medium and Cadmium Lemon Yellow. Centers of the bright yellow flowers are ..read more

The blue field of the early morning sky is painted with mixtures of White + Cobalt Blue, White + Pthalo Blue and White + Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Lemon Yellow. As you read through my blog, please keep in mind that you may see an enlargement of any image by clicking on the picture. Clouds are made of White + MUD (2 parts Ultramarine Blue + 1 part Alizarin Crimson). I keep them dark so the White in the Texas A&M logo on the barn’s roof will be more prominent. The windmill is then drawn into the wet paint of the sky with a thin oil mix of MUD + Liquin Original. The distant hills and trees are ..read more

This painting is for collectors of mine who are “Aggies”. If you don’t live in Texas or are not a fan of College Football you may shake your head in wonderment. What’s an “Aggie”? In its purest sense, an aggie is “someone from the farm”. The name was commonly given to students attending agricultural schools.  The term “Aggie”, reflecting the agricultural roots of Texas A&M (Agricultural & Mechanical College), was first used in the 1920s. In 1949, the yearbook changed its name from The Longhorn to Aggieland. At that point, Aggie became the official student body nickname. What ..read more

Winter’s Magic by Mikki Senkarik To all of you wonderful Fathers on Team Senkarik, Thank you for the many special moments you’ve shared with your kids. For sleigh rides, sledding, building snowmen or throwing snowballs on COLD winter days when you’d rather be inside, sitting by the fire sipping a cup of Hot Chocolate as you watch the football game. For new trades you’ve learned fixing bicycles and other broken toys. For showing your daughter how to tend roses. For teaching your son to throw a knuckle ball. For gently wiping tears, bandaging cut fingers and rubbing ice on bruised knees. For al ..read more

This painting for my gallery in Wimberley has a definite Spanish influence, inspired by the sunny courtyards in Andalusia. The basic plan is sketched up on my canvas and we’re ready to begin painting. Please keep in mind as you read through my blog, you may click on any image to see it larger. Several of my readers have asked why I mix my paint on a white palette? The reason is very simple, I paint on white canvases. By mixing the colors on white, I can accurately judge how they will look on the canvas. If I painted on toned canvas, I would put a sheet of paper under the glass of my palette ..read more

Father’s Day is June 16; it will be here soon! Does your Dad like Americana, working outside, gardening and old antique tractors? Maybe his family had a farm and memories of those days are dear to his heart. The gift of “Patriotic Display”, one of the few watercolors I’ve done, would remind him of your love every time he enjoys it on his wall. The 9 inch x 12 inch ORIGINAL Watercolor Travel Sketch comes in a 16 inch x 20 inch Frame, ready to hang on his Wall. REGULAR PRICE $490 – SPECIAL FOR FATHER’S DAY $390 To Purchase CLICK HERE! Surprise that dedicated, hardworking, loving Dad ..read more

Image source: Kenneth Harper / SSG Marc Coulam “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 This poignant image has often been shown with the words “Stand Down Young Warrior. Your Mission Is Complete.” Without even knowing anything about the photograph, it’s extremely moving. But the story of the horse makes it even more incredible. His name was Ariete Bu-Zahr (barn name “Little R”); he was an Arabian with lineage that traces back to the horses rescued by General Patton during World War II. SSG Marc Coulam of the 840th MAC EN, 111th  ..read more

The Magenta + White wildflowers sprout up among the Bluebonnets. Their foliage is made of mixes of Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Orange + Cadmium Yellow Medium + White. This is a warm green that comes forward of the cooler, bluish greens in the distance. Please keep in mind as you read through my blog, you may click on any image to see an enlargement. Another clump of Bluebonnets bursts forth. These closest ones are painted with combinations of Cobalt Blue + White and Cobalt Blue + Ultramarine Blue + White. Their color is a bit more intense than those near the barn, which makes them appear closer. T ..read more

FLIGHT SCHOOL by Mikki Senkarik “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 Mothers are truly amazing; they are selfless and labor tirelessly to nurture their families. Walking a fine line between being watchful and protective of her beloved children, while teaching them to be independent and fly on their own. Moms pass on the Wisdom of Our Lord, giving her children His livelong Wind Beneath Their Wings. Juggling the multiple hats of being wife, parent, cook, chief procurement officer, teacher and childcare giver isn’t easy. It’s a ..read more