HHG Mug Shot #10 - 'Eagle Eye'

"Betsy 'Eagle Eye' Stevenson. She is deceptively innocent looking. She is a frequent world traveler who has been know to shoot in Italy and France as well as throughout the United States. Along with being an expert shot our sources say she may well just set up an easel and capture images on site. Beware of easels in the field...easels on the beach...beware! We know is she is armed with a SLR and dangerous to those who don’t want to be immortalized on canvas."
Maria Hock, fellow member of the HHG

 Betsy 'Eagle Eye' Stevenson - MS011

Oil, 4'' x 4''

This was an... interesting painting experience. First I really wanted to do Betsy justice (yes, pun intended, Betsy!). Then I didn't really have a lot of time as I was chatting with my studio partner instead of painting. And than - and that is so typically me - I only sqeezed out the smallest amount of paint, and only some seven colors. Don't know why.
And of course the mugshot started out strange, got stranger, suddenly turned around and actually look almost great. And of course I kept painting and the mugshot took another turn and tried to go down the awkward road again. I hope I stopped it in time.
This mug would definitely have profitted from more time, but with all of those small 4x4 mugs I only do one painting session (however long or short) and don't go back to it. For better or for worse...

I Hang.... with Karin J.

Just to let everybody know:

Almost all of the Hilton Head Gang members are taking part in the 'A Sense of Place' exhibition at the Sedona Arts Center. As is Karin Jurick! - so the above sign definitely applies....

The Gang has debated whether to attend, mails have been exchanged and advise given. We decided to take the risk of 'public appearance', so it's definitely a chance to see the HHG. If only through our master pieces!

The show's opening is January 25th - today! - with Sedona's "First Friday" Artwalk and reception on February 3rd. The exhibit will continue through February 14th.

I've sent brave little Cookie (as in "Cookie's Evening Walk") all the way to Arizona. Hopefully to find a great new home.

HHG Mug Shot #9 - 'The Moniker'

"It is week 9 in the search for the Hilton Head Gang...the notorious members of Karin Jurick’s workshop. The trail is still hot... so we shall continue on. We are determined to feature one member each week until they are all accounted for.
Chris 'The Moniker' Werst comes by her alias honestly. She misses nothing. At beaches, Galleries, tourist attractions... she retains everything. She is very proficient at finding out and remembering names of people, places and things. She uses this to her advantage. She will call your name and then act like she knows you... by the time you realize she is a stranger it is too late... you are digitally immortalized and destined to become canvas bound.
Her whereabouts is totally unknown as she does not... at this writing... have a blog."

Chris 'The Moniker' Werst - MS010

Oil, 4'' x 4''

I didn't get to paint Chris' mug last week (I was busy partying ;-)... ). But when I started it yesterday it just seemed to paint itself. Mind you, that doesn't mean it didn't go through the awkward stage!

I might not be able to keep up with our weekly mugs in the next months, but I'll try not to fall too far behind. It's such a great exercise, amazing fun and wonderful way to stay in contact....

Oh, and I have to add this: Chris, go and start your own blog!!! We miss you in the blogosphere!

Red Hot

This is the last painting done during the Hilton Head workshop - or rather 'after' the workshop: a few unstoppable ladies and I stayed on Friday afternoon to 'paint on' as Karin would say. I'm glad I did! 

"Red Hot"

Oil on panel, 8'' x 10''
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This scene is typical for Hilton Head. Everybody seems to be riding along the beautiful wide beach. I just loved this red beachcruiser...

HHG Mug Shot #8 - 'The Guardian'

"This week finds us looking for Nancy 'The Guardian' Darling, so named because of her help with rescue dogs.  She often travels with a large pack of dogs which hampers her ability to shoot but that does not prevent her from trying.  She uses the dogs to attract unsuspecting subjects then while they are being distracted...she shoots.  It is a devious but very effective plan.  I hear she and her pack will be heading up to Alaska to participate in the Iditarod...that may be a false lead...just be on the lookout..."

Nancy 'The Guardian' Darling - MS009

Oil, 4'' x 4''

Another one that kept me doubting the whole time while painting but came together in the end. Hopefully...

If you want to look at all the mug shots together - I've added a page to my blog called 'Hilton Head Gang - all the Mugs'; you can access it from the banner at the very top of the blog.

Cookie's Evening Walk - Hilton Head Island

I realized I haven't posted all the paintings from my workshop with Karin Jurick on Hilton Head Island yet. I painted this next piece on the third day, and I just have to smile whenever I look at it!

 

'Cookie's Evening Walk'
Oil, 8'' x 8''

This is my first painting of a dog and it was such fun - of course Cookie's a cutie, and with her red coat and the setting sun the staging was perfect. Fitting for such a starlet.
Oh, and I don't know her (or his?) real name, but I gave my little niece a toy for Christmas and she calls it Cookie, so I just borrowed that name. I know she won't mind.

I'm considering entering this painting in the 'Sense of Place' - Exhibition at the Sedona Arts Center in February. Have to decide between this and two other options...

HHG Mug Shot #7 - 'The Streak'

"Roxanne 'The Streak' Duke is so named because she is stealthy.  She streaks by and shoots at will and disappears before detected by unsuspecting victims.  Roxanne flies under the radar...finding a photo of her was not easy...we had to scour the internet, check past files and canvas neighborhoods just to find this one.  We don’t know when the photo was taken...her look may have changed.  scrutinize everyone you see...
This is the only known picture of Roxanne..."

Roxanne 'The Streak' Duke - MS008

Oil, 4'' x 4''

The first day of the new year 2012 - and the first painting! Seems very fitting that it should be a mug shot of a member of the Hilton Head Gang...