Hilton Head 2012 - here come the mugs again!

The mug shots produced and painted from the original Hilton Head Gang / Class of 2011 were so much fun, such a good exercise and such a great way to keep motivated and in contact with each other that OF COURSE the class of 2012 decided to go ahead and get the challenge going again.

Although I love the challenge, I did't get started right away and now I'm already some mugs behind. Oh well.... Here's my first 'Hilton Head Caper' 2012:

Kim "The Scoop" Rosser - MS022

Oil, 4'' x 4''

Kim "The Scoop" Rosser is not only a great painter, she and her husband are running the infamous Gelati Celesti in Richmond, Va. 
Isn't that just a dreamy combination? Painting and homemade gelato....

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!

Terri 'Bones' Buchholz

"Terri 'Bones' Buchholz claims to be a nurse and uses her position to gain unsuspecting victims’ confidence.  As soon as she recognizes that you are a vulnerable mark she swoops in and reveals herself as a Florence Nightingale just trying to help... she shoots and then disappears into the crowd.  She can see a victim a mile away... authorities believe she has a telephoto lens that gives her access to otherwise unavailable victims.  Be on the lookout... she too... is armed and dangerous!"
Maria Hock, fellow member of the HHG

 Terri 'Bones' Buchholz - MS012

Oil, 4'' x 4''

As you probably realized I'm far behind with the 'weekly' Hilton Head mug. BUT I'm so proud I finally got to paint the next one - since I carried all my painting materials over here to Singapore I might as well make use of them.

Again, the 'non painting' time off posed a big obstacle for me, I was quite apprehensive. But definitely wanted to try and 'catch' Terri - she was my 'neighbour' during our workshop and is a wonderful artist (see link on the right...).

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...

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!

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.

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...

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!

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.....!

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...

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... ;-)

HHG Mug Shot #3 - The 'Joker'

"Week three and we are looking for Linda “the Joker” Popple. Linda disarms her victims with humor and then shoots with reckless abandon.   Yes, Linda thinks she is funny...but her crimes are very serious.  Please be careful when confronting her. 

Linda was last seen driving off Hilton Head Island wearing a teal sweatshirt and a blue baseball cap driving a red convertible sports car... She was laughing and shaking her camera at the wind.  Authorities followed her until she left them in the dust..."
Maria Hock, fellow member of the HHG

Linda  'Jocker' Popple - MS004

Oil, 4'' x 4''

Looking at the serious mug above it just seems wrong - Linda is always laughing, telling stories and entertaining the whole group (and the rest of the restaurant!). But she also is a key member of the Hilton Head Gang, and as such always armed and ready to shoot!

Babyface - another Hilton Head Gang mug shot

"The second member of the Hilton Head Gang is Regula 'Babyface' Scheifele. Don't let her youthful appearance fool you..... she is as devious as the rest of the gang when it comes to shooting covertly and then leaving the scene of the crime.

After terrorizing the island shooting her way through beaches and galleries, she escaped to the back roads of North Carolina. She was last seen boarding a plane to Europe... her current whereabouts unknown."
Maria Hock, fellow member of the HHG

Regula 'Babyface' Scheifele - MS003

Oil, 4'' x 4''

Ok, I confess - the above mentioned gang member would be me. Though I would not recommend you calling me 'babyface' to my... well... face! ;-)

As to my whereabouts: no comment. But you DO all know that Switzerland is proud of its political neutrality?

Regarding the little painting above: I really didn't look forward to painting my mug, but it turned out to be really fun. Again - this mug shot challenge is just great! Go and check out the blogs of my fellow HHG members.