High Key Apple

I painted this Granny Smith apple on a 6 x 6 gessoboard, using direct strokes of high key colors. I think my challenge is going to be experimenting with my paints and surfaces. 

The Orange Wedge

This little 4 x 5 was a joy to paint, as I begin to find my sea legs again, and know my limitations required for a daily painting. Painting alla prima is my favorite, and I experimented with different brushes today, mainly filberts. I usually use long flats to help keep my paintings loose.

Self Portrait

I love the way my paint strokes are becoming more deliberate and loose. As when I painted my mug the first time, in this second painting, I did not see my facial features as much as I saw the shapes, values, and intensities.

Growth as an Artist....

First mugshot of HHG member, Karin, painted in Nov 2011.

Painted Karin's mug again, after painting 21 different mugs.

I thought you might enjoy seeing my growth or whatever we artists prefer to call it, when our technique changes over time, resulting in a different look. I prefer the word growth. I painted our HHG members, all twenty one of us, over the past six months, and I am happy with the direction my brush is moving, loose, alla prima paint strokes, better values and intensities, and best of all, a better understanding of what I am seeing. I highly recommend a mugshot exercise.

Mugshot #21 - Vince "The Organizer"

This is my last HHG Mugshot #21 of, may I say,  a very handsome Vince "The Organizer". He quietly kept our gang organized, and our workshop a success. Thank you Vince.

Mugshot #20 - Maria "The Enforcer" Hock

Maria "The Enforcer" Hock is the ringleader of our HHG. She is our bonding agent of enthusiasm that relentlessly keeps each of us in check, and I personally, would like to thank her for maintaining the HHG. Thank you Maria.

Mugshot #19 - Allyson "Sundance" Schilb

 Mugshot #19 - Allyson Sundance" Schilb is the second to last of our HHG to be painted. Sad, to see the HHG mugshots coming to an end. The experience was as unforgettable as these wonderful friends.

Mugshot # 18 - Kit "The Rebel" Hefner

I'm back to painting the HHG Mugshots. Painting Kit "The Rebel" Hefner's mug proved to be quite a challenge, as she made a cute, puckered lips, and evil kind of stare face when posing for her mugshot.

Mugshot #17 - Judy "Fashionista" Elias

Judy "Fashionista" Elias is a petite blond branding a digital camera on Hilton Head Island. Beware of this beautifully dressed lady, possibly digitally dangerous.

Mugshot #16 - Diane "The Flash" Howard

Diane "The Flash" (or not) Howard is a master of not using her flash to get proper shadows, lights and dark. She is a master of color manipulation and can mask any subject to make them seem anonymous, and uses this darkness to escape the authorities.

Knobby Knees

Knobby Knees is my submission to this weeks DPW's challenge, Horsing Around. That is exactly what I found myself doing with the paint, horsin' around!

Check it out at www.dailypaintworks.com.

Mugshot #15- Sheryl "Red" Lott

Sheryl "Red" Lott is our HHG's mugshot #15. Hard to believe we, as a gang, have not held a meeting in almost four months. Sheryl has remained at large since that time, as she was last seen leaving the Island. I need to request permission from a HHG authority member before I divulge any additional information as to Sheryl's whereabouts, or the color of her danger alert status.

TEN

Look out Bo Derek, there is a new TEN in town. Well, actually, he is 13 and was on vacation with his human dad and his very much younger brother. I was entranced watching the two bro's play in the ocean, being in the moment......priceless!

Basil Rosemary

This little lady with the "thousand mile stare" is my studio buddy named Basil Rosemary. She is a Pit Bull adopted from the streets of Lancaster by my son in law, over ten years ago. She is the sweetest dog, and loves pink, don't ask me how I know, I just do, and I have to remind her that pink in not in her color wheel. Thanks Kel, love and miss you.

Painting is available through the Daily Paintwork's Challenge - Best Friend.(http://www.dailypaintworks.com/challenges)

Mugshot #13 - Cathy "The Traveler" Engberg

Cathy "The Traveler" Engberg is well traveled member of the HHG, last spotted, and digitally shooting in Chicago. Be wary, as rumor has it, behind this kind, and unassuming face, danger may lurk.

Mugshot #14 - Linda "Goldie" Nickles

Linda "Goldie" Nickles invited the HHG into her home for a meet and greet. Can you imagine standing on the back patio looking over the marshland as the sun was setting, chatting about the view with Neil Hollingsworth, and his lovely wife Karen. The chattering voices, from inside this beautiful home, spilled onto the patio as Karin Jurick told stories, and greeted her then unknown, Hilton Head Gang. Surreal, out of body experience is how I would describe my elated soul at that moment. Thank you Linda for your most generous, and gracious hospitality.

Mugshot #12 - 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...

White on White Challenge

This guy is my heart, my Samoyed named Sully with his favorite stuffed bear, affectionately named Mini-me. Note the resemblance! I am submitting my painting into this weeks Daily Paintworks Challenge, White on White.

Hilton Head Mugshot #11 - Terri Buchholz "Bones"

Hmmm.... Terri Buchholz aka "Bones" scoured our Hilton Head workshop under the guise of Nurse Terri. Rumor has it that she is a prolific undercover photographer and painter, always in search of unsuspecting subjects to digitally capture and to relentlessly paint them. Armed and dangerous with laughter.

Mugshot #10 - Betsy "Eagle Eye" Stevenson

I had the good fortune of sitting with Betsy at Karin's workshop. No need to worry about Betsy "Eagle Eye" Stevenson "gang" status as she is a beautiful southern lady in every way. And, besides she may not be driving a reliable car, so she won't be able to catch you if you should feel the need to escape her shutter snaps.