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!

Dawn 'The Shadow' Hartigan

Dawn “The Shadow” Hartigan is so named because she is deceptively quiet. She sneaks in with an unassuming look and an unsuspecting public can expect to be exposed.  Shots will be fired in rapid succession and before you know it “The Shadow” has moved to her next victim.  Paintings will be painted, shown in galleries, and bought by people you don’t even know.  You could actually be hanging in someone else’s home without your knowledge.  You won’t even know...only “The Shadow” knows...
Maria Hock, fellow member of the HHG 

Dawn 'The Shados' Hartigan - MS013

Oil, 4'' x 4''

Another rather loose one.. and rather colorful.....
Still, enjoyed painting it a lot - especially with Dawn stern look.

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...).