December 31, 2011

HHG Mug Shot #6 - 'The Kid'

"Sherrie 'The Kid' Hilliard, known as the kid because she specializes in painting children. She scours beaches and playgrounds looking for innocent little ones to shoot. Parents be on the lookout for Sherrie, The Kid...she will shoot your kids then immortalize them on canvas...they may even end up in a gallery. She drove off Hilton Head Island with enough material to keep her busy for months. She is probably holed up in a secret hideout....painting, painting, painting..."

Sherrie 'The Kid' Hilliard - MS007
Oil, 4'' x 4''

I wouldn't have thought that just ten days of not painting would make getting back to it so hard! I was really looking forward to painting this beautiful lady, but it was a struggle.

So I feel like I should add some 'bonus info': There's a great blog called 'Gurney Journey' by James Gurney, illustrator and creator of Dinotopia. The blog is absolutely a must-read (that's why I have it listed in my blog-roll). Two days ago he published a post called 'Softness in Eyes' -  go and read it!

AND of course I want to wish everybody a wonderful, happy and exciting New Year! One of my highlights in 2011 has to be my trip to Hilton Head Island and taking a class with the amazing Karin Jurick. And of course getting to meet a bunch of wonderful ladies, the Hilton Head Gang. Thanks to all the ladies for the great experience and the continued friendship - here's to meeting again!

December 28, 2011

Ms P. takes a Stroll in the Park

I didn't get to paint in the last week, and did enjoy the Christmas days instead. Hope you all had a wonderful, relaxing and peaceful Holiday Season as well!

So I thought I'd show you what kind of painting I do apart from the figurative small oil paintings I've posted on the blog so far.

Ms P. takes a Stroll in the Park
Acrylic, 40'' x 40''

This painting is quite big (40'' x 40'') and definitely abstract, and I was thinking about a title for a looooong time. I came up with a title that is hopefully as abstract as the painting... and will keep people wondering what it's supposed to mean...

Update:

Here's the painting hanging in my living room...slightly darker photo, but you can see the size of it...

December 19, 2011

Charleston Last Light

Just what the title says - I crossed the road and was struck by the wonderful warm light breaking through the clouds.

Charleston Last Light
Oil, 8'' x 8''

We've had snow today and it's all christmassy, but I bet it's still nice and warm in Charleston...

December 13, 2011

HHG Mug Shot #5 - 'MacGrins'

"Kelley 'MacGrins' MacDonald is the next notorious member to be sought. You may think her smiling face is harmless... until you see your smiling mug on one of her blogs. She waltzes in to a room, a beach or an event, smiling and acting all “I’m your friend” and then shoots at will. She doesn’t leave until she has captured every available smile. When ready to leave the island... Suspiciously... her little red sports car was missing... she left Hilton Head in a newly acquired Jag shouting “Girls Just Wanna Paint!” She drove up the coast stopping along the way to visit accomplices. She has hideouts everywhere. Beware the smile..."
Maria Hock, fellow member of the HHG

Kelley 'MacGrins' MacDonald - MS006
Oil, 4'' x 4''

Sooo... again, I've really tried to get the 'gangster vibes' here, but either I'm just too nice to paint dark characters (could be) or I just remember Kelley and had a really hard time not to paint her sparkly and open self (more like it!).

Well, I definitely enjoyed painting yet another mug shot. And I had a long chat with my dear friend in the UK and she told me that there's at least one 'mug shot lady' she wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley at night - so at least I'm not totally off with the mug shots.
And no, I won't tell you which lady she was talking about.....!

December 10, 2011

A picture a day....

No painting today, but something I thought might be interesting to all my 'fellow muggers'.
I came accross a YouTube video that's actually been posted in 2006, but you might not have seen it yet. This guy Noah has been taking a photo of himself every day for 6 years and put them together in a time-laps movie. I think it's just mesmerizing seeing this guy look at you for six years (so to say), and time just swirling by behind him. And of course beautiful music to go with it.
The movie is over five minutes long, but it's worth taking the time and watching it and observing the sometimes subtle changes in his expression...



December 6, 2011

HHG Mug Shot #4 - 'J.Lo'

"Jennifer 'J.Lo' Koach is the subject of this weeks search.  Her uncanny resemblance to ... well,  you know who...allows her to weasel herself into otherwise unavailable venues.  Before her true identity is revealed she assimilates herself into the situation and shoots at will.   Jlo charms and disarms her victims.  By the time they realize what is happening...it is too late...they are photographed and the subject of a painting.

She left Hilton Head Island surrounded by her entourage...She is definitely NOT 'just Jenny from the block'..."
Maria Hock, fellow member of the HHG

Jennifer 'J.Lo' Koach  - MS005
Oil, 4'' x 4''

It was soooo much fun painting Jennifer's mug shot - though for at least 80% of the time I was absolutely sure I'd have to wipe everything off and start again. Why? I painted on a bright cad red board. Fitting for 'J.Lo', but so confusing at times! And then suddenly I did something 'right' and everything fell into place.
And of course the profile shot was a first as well...

December 3, 2011

Mug Shot #1

This guy is not a member of the Hilton Head Group, but he started my series of mug shots. And I painted him in my Hilton Head workshop with Karin, so I guess the ladies won't complain if I sneek him in here...?


Mug Shot #1 - MS001
Oil, 4'' x 4''

The next Hilton Head Gang mug shot will be up soon, probably Tuesday. I recieved the gessobords I ordered this week, so I'm ready to go. It's just such a pity I can't get them here in Switzerland... I will continue to order them online, though I have to pay almost twice as much for postage and taxes than for the boards themselves.
I guess I have to fly over to the States with two empty suitcases and fill them up with gessobords... ;-)

December 1, 2011

Immersed

A lady at the beach on Hilton Head Island, totally absorbed by her book. A complex detective story or a kitschy romance?

Immersed
Oil, 10'' x 8'

This is the first paiting I did at home from photos I took on Hilton Head - and though I enjoyed it and it brougth back nice memories, I missed the 'workshop feeling' from last month.
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