Jolie Guillebeau

88 days.

Today’s painting is extra special.

Remember when Sundays used to be about poetry? Well, I love playing with encaustic, but I’ve missed those words. Thanks to letter stamps, I finally figured out how to combine both of those things! Yay.

The quote says, “Now is the time to know that all you do is Sacred.” It’s by Hafiz, because he’s my favorite.

4×4 Wax on Masonite Block. $80

89 days.

Saturdays are mostly focused on writing up a good tutorial, so by request, I’ve decided to start showing some of my larger paintings to you on Saturdays.

I usually spend at least 25 hours on my larger pieces and it gives me a chance to focus on details that I’m often forced to overlook in a daily painting. In fact, one of the reasons I started daily painting was in an attempt to conquer my perfectionist tendencies, because I was overworking the larger pieces.

But a few of you have mentioned that you like the larger paintings, so I want to show you those as well. They’re all up for sale, and I’m always honored when someone likes one enough that they choose to hang it in their home.

This is a self-portrait (sort of). I laid my palette on my desk one day and liked the way the light fell from the lamp. Then I added the mirror hoping to reflect more of the paintings that were on the wall behind me than my face, but I kept seeing the top of my head, so I had to paint what I was seeing.

12×24 Oil on Birch Panel $485

There are dozens of types of surfaces you can choose for painting. Cotton, linen, panel, birch, masonite, paper– and that’s just off the top of my head. And there are thousands of ways to prepare those surfaces. I’m just going to show you a couple of options today.

First, a comparison of two different surfaces.

Masonite block with two coats of the same oil primer.

Cotton Canvas with two coats of Oil primer.

Obviously, the canvas has more texture. It’s bumpy.

One more comparison– the finger test.

Applying pressure with my finger.

The canvas responds to pressure much more.

That is the main reason that I choose panels more often. Painting on canvas feels a bit like bouncing on a trampoline to me. I like the stability and smoothness of panel. Sometimes I feel like the texture of canvas gets in the way of the painting as well. An example:

A painting from fall 2007.

One with similar colors and values from Spring 2008.

And now a close up.

The canvas is much more apparent in this image. It distracts me. (I recognize that I might be easily distracted.) Hence, I choose panel. I have a bit more control, it’s less distracting, and it’s usually cheaper.

But, to quote Reading Rainbow, “You don’t have to take my word for it.” Experiment. If you primarily use cotton canvas, switch to panel for awhile. Or try a Gessoboard. Or linen. Be brave. You might find something that surprises you.

Next week: Preparing your surface.

90 days.

I can honestly say that I’m ready for fall. It’s my favorite season. But maybe that’s because I’ve painted outside all summer, or maybe it’s just because of this watermelon. It was so good.

And one more reminder… I’m teaching a class this fall– and it’s going to be super. If you’re in Portland, you want to be there! Register here.

91 days.

Yesterday the weather changed suddenly. We’ve gone from sunny afternoons to raindrops on the windows. For the first time since June, every window in my house is closed tonight. It looks like fall is settling in a few days early.

But even though it’s soup weather, I’m still determined to enjoy this last bit of watermelon. The calendar still summer even if the sky doesn’t.

92 days.

It’s the last full week of summer. Fall equinox is just around the corner. So I picked up a watermelon at the grocery store, so that I can savor this last bit of summer properly.

In the name of art, I’m continuing to make the sacrifice and eating watermelon so that I can create happy paintings. (It’s tough, let me tell you.)

Don’t forget! I’m teaching a class this fall– and it’s going to be super. If you’re in Portland, you want to be there! Register here.

93 days.

It’s the last full week of summer. Fall equinox is just around the corner. So I picked up a watermelon at the grocery store, so that I can savor this last bit of summer properly.

I cut open the watermelon today. It’s a lot of watermelon for just one person, but I’m up for the challenge.

94 days.

It’s the last full week of summer. Fall equinox is just around the corner. So I picked up a watermelon at the grocery store, so that I can savor this last bit of summer properly.

Last week, I went with Chris to New York for the launch of his book. After a few requests on Facebook, I decided to document the process of packing. I love the puzzle of packing everything for a week in to a carry-on. It’s like Tetris.

My travel outfit, laid out and ready.

Here’s what I packed for the week. 3 Cardigans (Blue, Gray, and Black), 3 pairs of pants (Jeans, Black Capris, Grey Leggings), 2 dresses (Red, Black and White), 4 T-shirts (white, green, gray, berry), 3 blouses (black, white, green stripes), 2 scarves (silver, orange), 2 pair of shoes (bright blue, orange)

All my clothes for the week, rolled neatly and ready to pack.

And of course, accessories. A bright blue clutch, sunglasses, jewelry.

Bathroom Bag, Snacks, Camera, Ipod... the important stuff.

Art Supplies, Snacks, Water Bottle, Notebook, Laptop, and Camera.

Red Dress, Gray Leggings, Gray Cardigan. I wore this to the Launch at Borders.

Gray T-Shirt, Jeans.

Black Capri Pants, White Collar Shirt, Silver Scarf. Dinner with Friends.

Black Blouse, Black Capri Pants, Tank Top, Walking around NY

Blue Cardigan, White T-shirt, Jeans, Orange Scarf. Travel Outfit.

Green stripe sweater, tank top and jeans. Visiting friends.

It’s kind of fun to do this. I might make it a tradition. Yay for carry-on!

Even though I’m doing 100 days of painting, I can’t quite give up the Saturday Tutorial. It’s one of my favorite things. So today I have both a painting and a tutorial for you.

Watch the painting’s creation here.

And part two:

And now the final result.

$40. 4×4 Oil on Masonite Block.