Maria 'The Enforcer' Hock

"Maria 'The Enforcer' Hock is perhaps the most dangerous member of the Hilton Head gang.  She is an instigator... a rabble rouser... a provocateur. She lures you into her circle of friends with promises of camaraderie, challenges, and critiques. She has three cameras and endless battery power. She is also deadly with her prose... if she can’t get a likeness... then it is very likely you will be the subject of a story... or BOTH!  Her husband is responsible for her nickname..."
Maria Hock, fellow member of the HHG

 Maria 'The Enforcer' Hock - MS021

Oil, 4'' x 4''

Well - Here she is. Maria. The Enforcer.
The last one of the Hilton Head Gang to be caught - only on canvas though!
You can see from Maria's gazing into the future that there's probably new havoc being planned, new shootings being prepared - all batteries charged and cameras at the ready.

I'm very happy to meet up again soon and go on a .... ehmmm.... painting spree with Maria again!

Allyson “Sundance” Schilb

Allyson “Sundance” Schilb does most of her shooting in the evening.  She, too, is one of the more quiet members of the Hilton Head Gang.  We do know that she rides with a biker gang.  She rode all over the island... There were tales of drive by shootings.  When other gang members were strolling beaches, sidewalks and tourist sites, Sundance was laying low... riding quietly and shooting unsuspecting victims.  We also know she is no less proficient than any of the other members... she is SLR ready and will shoot at will.
Maria Hock, fellow member of the HHG

  Allyson 'Sundance' Schilb - MS020

Oil, 4'' x 4''

This one again is a true mug. Allyson doesn't look happy, does she?
I started this one as a tonal study, so I only used black and white and some raw umber - it did look quite interesting as a monochrome, but I just missed adding at least a tiny amount of colour... so... she already looks happier now!

On another note: I just finished re-designing my Web Page - www.regulascheifele.com
I'd love for you to 'drop in' and have a look around!
 

Kit 'The Rebel' Hefner

"Kit 'The Rebel' Hefner does things her own way... follows her own path... beats to the beat of a different drummer. Kit hit town and immediately started shaking things up. She shoots where no one else shoots... she paints what no one else paints... she is a true rebel. If you think you know where Kit is or what she is thinking... you are wrong... If you think you know where she is... you don’t... AND if you think you can figure her out... well... you guessed it..."
Maria Hock, fellow member of the HHG  

 Kit 'The Rebel' Hefner - MS019

Oil, 4'' x 4''

As you might have noticed I've been rather busy with this mugs lately - because there's a deadline to meet. End of the month. I will definitely make it!
Kit's mug was again a challenge since she was making a face like she was really peeved at something. Probably at our workshop coming to an end. Understandable.
OR she just bit into a lemon... Who knows...

Judy "Fashionista" Elias

"Judy 'Fashionista' Elias is a petite blonde. She looks harmless enough, but with camera in hand she can be as devious as any member of the Hilton Head Gang  Her petite stature allows her to sneak into venues with seemingly childlike innocence... but don’t let that fool you. She enters, shoots then escapes before she is discovered. She is often enveloped in large decorative scarves that disguise her camera to make it easy for her to focus on unsuspecting victims... then she shoots and is out of sight before she is detected."
Maria Hock, fellow member of the HHG  

Judy 'Fashionista' Elias - MS018

Oil, 4'' x 4''

Hmmm... a 3/4 profile is quite a challenge. I just recently watched a demo by Scott Burdick where he explains how we're all when painting a 3/4 profile portrait are compelled to 'turn' the face more towards a front view - I know what he means! The reason for that is possibly that we're so used to our own face in the mirror, where we're always facing full front.
On a similar note (in another demo video) Rose Frantzen comments that most models sitting for a 3/4 view tend to turn their heads towards the painter as well. - That does speak for the front view portrait, doesn't it?

Diane "The Flash" Howard

"Diane 'The Flash' Howard - so named because she doesn’t use one. She purposely turns off her flash to get the proper shadows, lights and darks on her subject. What she cannot accomplish with the camera she adjusts with her palette. She is a master of color manipulation and can mask any subject to make them seem anonymous... she remains anonymous also... and uses the darkness to escape the authorities."
Maria Hock, fellow member of the HHG  

Diane 'The Flash' Howard - MS017

Oil, 4'' x 4''

I have to start taking photos of the 'work in progress' of these small ones. Since I keep going through the same process again and again...But I have learned not to let the awkward and strange stages stop me from just keeping at it. I guess the result here is a true 'mug' of The Flash. So - watch out!

Sheryl 'Red' Lott

"Sheryl 'Red' Lott with her fiery red hair and syrupy southern accent immediately disarms her victims.  She sashays into venues or onto the beach oozing that southern charm that lulls her victims into a false sense of security.  She is no less dangerous than the rest of the gang...she just looks harmless.  Her stash of covertly taken photographs is testament to her devious nature.  How she can remain anonymous with her blazing red locks we will never know.  Don’t let her demure southern behavior fool you...be on the lookout!"
Maria Hock, fellow member of the HHG 

Sheryl 'Red' Lott - MS016

Oil, 4'' x 4''

I was really looking forward to painting Sheryl since we first took our mug shot photos - and not only because of her beautiful red hair!

Hmmm... I guess I managed with the red part.... not too sure this mug does Sheryl justice though. But then again: wouldn't want this little mug to be too much of a perfect likeness, since as a fellow Hilton Head Gang member I definitely do not want anyone to get caught!

Linda “Goldie” Nickles

All that glitters is not always gold. Goldie is as notorious as the rest of the gang. We believe she has a hideout on the island but authorities have not been able to locate the area she resides in nor apprehend her. Beware because she is a seasoned traveler and can assimilate herself into any environment...she is no less devious than the rest of the gang despite her petite stature and innocent look...she will shoot first and ask questions later. If you have been shot check local galleries for your likeness. If you are visiting Hilton Head be especially cautious...she has been known to walk among the visitors and shoot using her silencer...
Maria Hock, fellow member of the HHG

Linda 'Goldie' Nickles - MS015

Oil, 4'' x 4''

This piece was just a pleasure to paint! Linda is such a beautiful and generous lady, I was worried I might not 'catch' her... and painting blonde hair is always a bit of a struggle for me. But once I started out and had the profile established, the rest of the portrait just fell into place.
Don't you just love it when that happens?

Cathy “The Traveler” Engberg

Cathy “The Traveler” Engberg was first seen in Chicago shooting and Wreaking havoc in popular tourist sites.  Wherever there was a crowd Cathy would stealthily make her way into the venue and begin shooting.  Millennium Park is still recovering from her visit.  She then was seen with the Hilton Head Gang.  It isn’t known whether the rest of the gang was in Chicago also or if she travels alone.  What is known is that she is armed and dangerous.  Shots will be fired...paintings will be rendered.  Check out local galleries for her artwork.  Don’t approach her without backup.
Maria Hock, fellow member of the HHG 

Cathy 'The Traveler' Engberg - MS014

Oil, 4'' x 4''

Finally! I'm back from Singapore, back from a weekend in England, and back at the easel!

As you can see from my blog, I haven't been painting for two months now. Although I took my painting stuff with me to Singapore, I only managed to get two mug shots done. Too much 'distraction'... ;-)
Anyway, I'm back home now and determined to get all 20 mugs done by the end of June. This is number 13 of the Hilton Head Gang, so there are seven more to go. I was quite apprehensive to get back to painting after two months off, but decided not to worry about likeness and such and just enjoy.
And I did!