FACE No. 51

4x4 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

This woman caught my attention among the many mug shots.  I'm not clear as to the reason, but I think it may have been her eyes.  As always, I didn't want to know of what she was accused.  She just looked resigned to what was happening.  Perhaps this had happened to her previously.  I enjoyed working on this painting.  I'm getting more accustomed to painting on this very small format.  I think 4x4 lends itself to these portraits.

FACE No. 50

4x4 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.
-Thomas Merton-

Thomas Merton certainly knew what he was talking about, didn't he?  We not only lose ourselves in the valuable time spent at the easel, but being part of a wonderful community of artists, exploring, learning, and digging deep within ourselves.  This ongoing process is not unique to artists, but is certainly a definitive and welcome part of an artist's journey.  I treasure what I have learned about myself in the last few years as I have followed and will continue to follow this path.  I'm sure you have learned a great deal, too.
Here is a virtual toast to following our paths today and always!
Have a great week-end!!

VINTAGE CHRISTMAS

4x4 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

Do you remember bubble lights?  These were my favorite a very long time ago, many years before the white, twinkling lights became so popular.  Along with the bubble lights were the large bulbs in lots of different colors.  They made for a delightful Christmas tree for children.  I painted this for the December challenge - Vintage Christmas - for Some Texas Artists Like to Paint.  Although, these decorations are vintage and I remember them, I am NOT, and I repeat NOT vintage!!

MacGrins aka Kelley MacDonald - HHG Gang Member

The Hilton Head Gang is a group of notorious artists who attended Karin Jurick's workshop on Hilton Head Island.  I will feature one member of the group each week until they are all accounted for...

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 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...

To find out more about MacGrins check out her blog:

http://kelleymacdonalddailypaint.blogspot.com/

4x4 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

Maria Hock took the photograph for Kelley's mug.  And I have to give her a LOT of credit because she managed to keep Kelley from smiling!  I tried my best, but to no avail.  She just laughed and could not stop.  What to do?  Call in the big guns ...... Maria came to the rescue.  Thanks, Maria!

(Kelley, don't laugh when you see this!)

FACE No. 49

6x6 Oil On Ampersand Gessobord

Well, one more mug shot painting and I will be at 50!  When I began I had no idea how far I would take this series and I am still in the dark.  I suppose it will continue until I get tired of it and I really don't see that I am anywhere near that.  This series has and continues to be fun to paint.   

FACE NO. 48

4x4 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

CHEESECAKE

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play. (Henri Matisse)

I love to play in my studio!  It is a joy.  I am constantly learning, always thinking, listening to music, sometimes reaching deep and other times just going with the flow.  I appreciate that you are right there with me.  As artists we understand how fortunate we are to have play and work be synonmous.  Isn't that just wonderful?


Play this week-end!
Experience the joy!

$50.00 plus S&H

VALUE STUDY

10x8 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

This was painted for the Rookie Painter challenge and a challenge it was!  However I am pleased with how it came out.  Having a cloth draped on a shelf makes a very nice painting.

$75.00 plus S&H

JLO - HHG GANG MEMBER

4x4 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

"It is week four and Jennifer “JLo” 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”... by Maria Hock

OK, Jennifer, aka JLo, is a beautiful person and a very talented artist, but I think she has a spelling problem.  Please don't let this get out, but she spells her last name "KOACH" not "COACH".  As we all know coach begins with a "C" not a "K".  I tried to help her at our Karin Jurick workshop, but she would just ignore me and order a chocolate (not khocalate!) martini.  Go figure. 

For more information or clues to her whereabouts check out her blog at:

http://jenniferkoachart.blogspot.com/

FACE NO. 47

4x4 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

I'm finding it easier to paint on these small panels.  It's been tough, though.  I've wiped out many a mug shot.  But, hey it's always a learning experience, even with wipe outs.  So no complaints.  

FACE No. 46

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

I really enjoyed painting the cool and warm skin tones and using a nice warm green for the background.  She has such interesting hair, too.  She was just fun to paint!

$50.00 plus S&H

HHG WEEK 3 ..... ME!!!

I know you have been waiting with anticipation for my mug shot!  Perhaps you've seen it circling the internet.  Maria Hock took the photograph and wrote:

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...

Since Maria mentioned my red Ferrari in her statement I thought I would have my photographer take a picture of me driving away, exactly the way I left Hilton Head.  I took the photo to my studio and painted it along with my mug shot.  In explanation of my mug - I was told to look sad.  After all I was arrested.  Of course, the paparazzi showed up (as usual!) and I had some explaining to do.  Can't have my "pretend" mug shot all over the world.

 So here I am in my little red sports car.  My mug shot is below.

I'm happy I'm not really going to jail.  The last time was most unpleasant.




HHG Blogs - take a look!!

http://karinjurick.blogspot.com

http://regulascheifele.blogspot.com

http://dawnhartigan.blogspot.com/

http://kelleymacdonalddailypaint.blogspot.com/

http://splattermark.blogspot.com/

http://jenniferkoachart.blogspot.com/

http://lindanicklesfineart.blogspot.com/

http://cathyengberg.blogspot.com/

http://kithefnerpaintings.blogspot.com

http://njdarling.blogspot.com/

http://dailypaintingblog-roxanneduke.blogspot.com/

http://sherriehilliard.blogspot.com/

FACE No. 45

12x6 Oil on Panel

Back to the mug shots.  This man had such a long beard.  I thought it would be fun to paint and it was.  I attempted to stay loose and was successful, although it is something I want to continue to work on and improve.  His face and beard called for a long support.  His whole photograph was just too interesting to crop.  

$75.00 plus S&H

FOG

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

A few weeks ago Linda Reedy, Jill Randall and I drove out to the country early one foggy morning to paint.  I love the fog.  It creates a very different atmosphere to which I feel a connection.  I managed to get one small painting of this windmill completed before the sun rose higher and burned off the fog.  I did get a few photographs for references in the future.  The area in which we painted was very rural with a few farms and down the road a bit a winery.  It's a lovely place to bring paints and easels for plein air.

ENJOY YOUR WEEK-END!

New blogs:  Kit Hefner

                             Roxanne Duke 

$50.00 plus S&H

GOBBLE! GOBBLE!

4x4 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

"What's for dinner?"  That is the challenge for Some Texas Artists Like to Paint this month.  So this evening our family will eat the traditional Thanksgiving meal .... turkey with all the trimmings.  Yum!  Take a minute and look at what other artists have been eating this month.


HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

REGULA "BABYFACE" SCHEIFELE

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

"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

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY!

$50.00 plus S&H

WALKING AND TALKING

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

This man was on his cell phone, absorbed in an intense conversation.  I loved his clothes, especially his hat.  It was a bright day and everything caught the light.  So I schlepped after him in my best covert way, which wasn't easy with my camera hung over a bright teal jacket and cap on my head.  Game on!  I got several good photos and chose the easiest to paint (I am unbelievably rusty! ...... OK I'm a wimp)  I hope to re-visit these photos and paint him again.  Little did he know that he was such an interesting subject!


THE WEEK-END BEGINS HERE IN TEXAS
WITH SUNSHINE!  IF YOU ARE HERE
OR SOMEWHERE ELSE, ENJOY YOUR
CREATIVE DAY!!
New blogs - take a look!
Jennifer Koach
Regula Scheifele
Sherrie Hilliard

$50.00 plus S&H

HILTON HEAD ISLAND GANG

4x4 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

Here she is, Karin Jurick.  Our leader, the top dog of our Hilton Head Island Gang.  Her mug reveals her cunning, shifty appearance.  You can almost see the wheels turning in her head .... planning the next clandestine operation out into the public with cameras at the ready.  Under her cunning leadership we took our cameras and incognito hit the beaches.  No one was the wiser and every member of this wily gang got plenty of photographs from which to paint.  If you would like to be a member of this elite gang that is cloaked in secrecy and on the Q.T. can gather enormous amounts of information, check out Karin's blog and sign up for her next workshop.  You will not be disappointed  ..... although your mug may show up on the post office walls of America!


For more info on this fugitive gang check out Maria Hock's blog and Karin Jurick's blog.

HOME!!

The last two weeks have been a blast!  Now I am so happy to be home ...... 

the BEST place ever!

SWEET TEA

Julie and I are still in the south enjoying cold iced tea.  We will continue to travel the next few days and I am takings lots of photographs.  I am looking forward to getting back to the studio and put into practice all I learned with Karin Jurick.  In the meantime we are having a blast, eating lots of good southern food, laughing, sight-seeing and just having a good time.  I probably won't post again until next week.  So until then ..... happy painting!!


FYI - New blog, check it out! Maria Hock

I CONFESS!!

Hilton Head Island ...... fantastic!   Hilton Head Island with a Karin Jurick Workshop ..... AMAZING!!

People riding bicycles, running, catching the November sun, playing in the sand and just having a great time.

Dogs playing.

Children playing.  Aren't they the cutest?  Wonderful curls!

Another dog ready to hit the sand!

Birds dancing!  I just happened to catch them while they were partying.  Lucky or what?  Those birds are a wild bunch!!

Relaxing.

So much fun!  And such a talented dog!

The food was soooo good!

And look at all these talented artists!!!  They were from all over the country and Switzerland!    Karin is known everywhere and so many want to take her workshops!  And when they heard I was going to be there, too .... well, what can I say, icing on the cake! :-)

And here is Karin painting one of her demos.  She is an inspiration with her talent.  And believe me, she is a funny, sharing, talented and just plain great person!  Her stories of Zack and Joey had us all cracked up.  

And my confession?  I am now a Karin Jurick groupee!  There are so many fans, but I think I am #1, numero uno, nummer ein, numero un.  OK, you get it.  If you ever have the opportunity to take Karin's workshop - grab it and I hope you have as much fun and learn as much as I did!!