Despite only three years of Elementary education, Porfirio Salinas showed considerable artistic ability at an early age. A self-taught artist, Salinas increased his skills when working with well-known landscape artist Robert Woods. Developing a name for himself with Southwestern vistas, landscapes, and bluebonnet scenes of Texas, Salinas became one of the state’s most popular artists. During the 60’s, his work gained national exposure when he became known as President Lyndon B. Johnson favorite painter. During Johnson’s term, Salinas was commissioned by Lady Bird Johnson to paint some of the president’s favorite sites along the Pedernales River in Texas. Before his death in 1973, Salinas had five of his paintings hanging in the White House.