Jolie Guillebeau

76 days.

As part of the Summer Sunshine Series, I painted a few places in my city that l love. And I thought it would be fun to look at a few of them again this week, but in a different season.

The Rhododendron Garden is probably my favorite place in the whole city. And this tree is my favorite thing to paint in that garden. I’ve painted it in the spring and the summer, so of course I’m already planning my visit there in the winter, too. But first– fall.

78 days.

As part of the Summer Sunshine Series, I painted a few places in my city that l love. And I thought it would be fun to look at a few of them again this week, but in a different season.

This is a second look from the same spot on Mt. Tabor. Again, the I’m surprised that things changed so much. Because there were so many evergreens, I thought this would look pretty similar to the first image.

I was wrong again.

5×7 Oil on Masonite Block $65

77 days.

As part of the Summer Sunshine Series, I painted a few places in my city that l love. And I thought it would be fun to look at a few of them again this week, but in a different season.

The Portland Rhododendron Garden is probably my favorite place in the whole city. I’ve painted it in the Spring and in the Summer, so I couldn’t wait to see what it looked like with fall colors.

79 days.

As part of the Summer Sunshine Series, I painted a few places in my city that l love. And I thought it would be fun to look at a few of them again this week, but in a different season.

This is from my neighborhood. I painted it in early June when everything was bright green and the sky was so bright with summer light. You can see the first painting here.

I went back and looked at my notes for that painting. It was a sunny afternoon around 3pm when I sat down at my easel. So for this painting, I went out at exactly the same time and parked myself in exactly the same spot.

Honestly, even I’m astounded at the difference in color between the two. I expected the trees to be different, of course, but I didn’t realize how much the light has changed. The shadows have moved, the sky is a deeper blue and there’s just more going on here.

I think painting is going to be really fun this week.

4×4 Oil on Masonite Block $65

This weekend was a bit crazy. First, I was a little sick on Friday and Saturday, then due to a storm our internet was out for a few hours, and I’m behind. So today you’re getting the painting you should’ve gotten yesterday.

I had this quote picked out earlier in the week, and yesterday when I realized that it was just going to be one of those days where everything goes wrong, I decided not to stress over it and just catch up later in the week.

So instead of worrying and running around in the rain trying to get things working, I spent the afternoon with a friend. We talked and laughed and my Sunday turned in to a terrific day.

Now the internet is back up and running, I’m typing this with a purring cat in my lap and appreciating the fact that I spent my day happily.

Because…

“How we spend our days is
How we spend our lives.” — Annie Dillard

5×7 Wax on Masonite Block $80

83 days.

One of the first things that had to be fixed when I got Eleanor the bike was her tires. So I went to my friendly local bike shop and had them change the tires and while I was there I took a few classes to learn a bit about care and maintenance.

So a few weeks ago, when I discovered I had a flat, I knew just what to do. I promptly rode right back to my friendly local bike shop and asked them to fixed it. They did.

4×4 Oil on Masonite Block. $40. Sold.

Interested in a portrait of your bike? I’d love to paint one for you! Email me here.

84 days.

So I love Eleanor the bike, and she’s awesome with her orange bell and her basket, but she’s not very fast. She’s sturdy and reliable, but she’s slow. So not many people see her from this angle, because they whiz past so quickly.

I’m a little slow myself, so I don’t mind.

4×4 Oil on Masonite Block. $40. Sold.

Interested in a portrait of your bike? I’d love to paint one for you! Email me here.

85 days.

I’ve always wanted a bike with a basket. I imagine myself wearing a beret and a fresh baguette or fresh flowers in the basket riding through the sunny streets of Paris.

In reality, I’m wearing a yellow helmet carrying cat food while riding through the rainy streets of Portland, but I still love my basket.

4×4 Oil on Masonite Block. $40. Sold.

Interested in a portrait of your bike? I’d love to paint one for you! Email me here.

86 days.

So even though I bought Eleanor the bike for only 30 dollars, I’ve invested a bit more than that to make sure she’s in good condition. The guys at my friendly local bike shop have taken great care of her and taught me a lot about bike repair. Her seat the first thing I replaced on my own. And it’s only broken once since then.

Today is the final day to register for my class with Portland Parks and Recreation. It starts tomorrow! If you’re here in Portland, go register.

4×4 Oil on Masonite Block. $40. Sold.

Interested in a portrait of your bike? I’d love to paint one for you! Email me here.

87 days.

Meet Eleanor. She’s my bike.

I bought her for thirty bucks on Craigslist and she’s the best investment I’ve ever made.

She’s bright blue, with an orange bell and a basket. The guys at the bike shop think she was built around 1970. She’s old, but strong, so I named her after Mrs. Roosevelt.

She’s the subject of this week’s paintings. I hope I can do her justice.

4×4 Oil on Masonite Block $40 Sold.