Jolie Guillebeau

You know what? I’m tired.
I’m tired of the fact that people cannot see their own worth.

Joy sent me her photo a few weeks ago, with an apology. She said that she looked terrible, but this was the best photo she had of herself. She told me how she hated her curly hair, and she could see her wrinkles, and that her eyebrows needed to be tweezed. She practically said, “I’m sorry that I’m so hideous, but I’d really like you to paint my face.”

I immediately wrote back to tell her that I’d be honored to paint her face, that I’ve always wanted curly hair, and that I think she’s absolutely beautiful.

It got me to thinking, and I asked Joy if I could write about this and use her as an example. She graciously consented, so I want to ask you. What stops you from recognizing your own worth? What makes you doubt that you’re any thing but amazing? What keeps you from seeing yourself as anything other than a creature of stunning beauty? Seriously.

No, seriously. Why can’t we all recognize the magnificence of who we are?

This is probably a longer discussion than I can fit in a newsletter, so we’ll leave it at this.

You are fabulous.

And so is Joy.

Sharon and I are old friends. We met in 2002 in West Africa and played Scrabble together every Sunday afternoon. She once gave me a frog for my birthday. (Ew.) So when sent me a photo of herself with her niece and her nephew, I thought it was completely appropriate that they’re all making the same silly face.

I thought it was an awesome photo, but I wasn’t sure how well it would work as a painting. So I decided to just try and see. I was surprised at how much fun it was to paint.

I think it’s because Sharon’s sense of fun is contagious.

“He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.” –Albert Einstein

Another distinctive face for you. Because they’re fun. It’s a bit of a challenge to paint a face that’s easily recognizable, because everyone can immediately tell when I’ve goofed up. But I decided today that I was up for the challenge again.

It’s not Nobel Prize worthy, but I’m happy with this face.

“I do the very best I know how – the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.” — Abraham Lincoln

Things are settling down over here. The Buckman Show and Sell was a tremendous success and so much fun. I met so many terrific people (many who subscribed here! Hi! Welcome!) and my face hurt on Saturday from smiling so much– which is a good thing.

Now, a face.

After all the excitement from last week, I spent today catching up. And one thing I missed last week was the Daily Paintworks Challenge. I always enjoy it, and last week was a good one. So I decided better late than never, and I added my own contribution. The more I learn about President Lincoln, the more I admire him. My favorite images are the ones where he’s smiling. He looks like he knows something that the rest of us don’t, and it makes him happy.

I know you want to hear all about my Jeopardy tryouts, but the story of these faces is a good one.

When I started this project, I planned things out a bit. And as I looked through all the faces that I had gotten so far, I knew immediately that this painting of Tiffany and Paul would happen today. Because they’re getting married today!

When Tiffany sent this photo over, I looked at it for a long time. It says so much about how happy they are together. Which makes me happy. It was a joy to paint.

So, you know how yesterday I asked you to send good thoughts my way for the audition? Today, I’m hoping you’ll send them to Tiffany and Paul on their wedding day.

5×7 Oil on Masonite Block. $95. Email for details.

Jeopardy update: You guys are super. I got so many kind emails this week. Yesterday at the audition, I knew you were cheering me on. And I rocked it. I made it to the next level! They told me to expect a call sometime in the next 18 months, when I’ll fly to LA for filming!

The Buckman Show and Sell starts tonight at 5pm. I’ll be there all evening, and all day tomorrow. It’s going to be so much fun. I’d really love to see you there. And there will be cupcakes nearby!

Have you sent me your favorite face yet? I’m nearing the halfway point, and I don’t want you to miss out! Hurry.

Today’s the day! Send all your smart and fast buzzer thoughts my way at 11 am Mountain time, when I’ll be attempting to answer in the form of a question.

Once I’m finished, I’ll take a cab to the airport and fly home just in time to set up for the Buckman Show this evening.

Needless to say, I’ll be really watching the clock today. So I thought it was the perfect time to paint a clock face.

4×4 Oil on Masonite Block. $95. Email for details.

The Buckman Show and Sell starts tomorrow at 5pm. I’ll be there all evening, and all day Saturday. It’s going to be so much fun. I’d really love to see you there.

Have you sent me your favorite face yet? I’m nearing the halfway point, and I don’t want you to miss out! Hurry.

Because I’m really excited, I’m going to mention it again: I’m participating in the Buckman Show and Sell this weekend! This is a super cool annual event in Portland, and it’s so much fun. I’ll be there all evening Friday and all day Saturday– I’d really love to see you! Come visit!

Because I’m in Salt Lake today, I’m missing all my weekly rituals. One of those is knitting on Wednesday mornings at a local yarn shop.

I met Melissa there this summer and helped her as she learned to knit. She’s fun to be around, and I was so touched that she sent me a picture of her mother for this project. I love the spark and the smile from this beautiful lady.

First, a reminder or two: Not only am I auditioning for Jeopardy this week, but I’m also participating in theBuckman Show and Sell! This is a super cool annual event in Portland, and it’s so much fun. I’ll be there all evening Friday and all day Saturday– I’d really love to see you! Come visit!

My audition this week is in Salt Lake City. I’m so excited, because some of my favorite people in the world are there and it’s going to be fun no matter what, just because I get to see them!

And this is one of the smaller faces I’m looking forward to meeting. I love reading about Riley’s adventures and seeing her spunk radiate through my computer screen. I can’t wait to meet her in person.

First, a question: Why should you keep your fingers crossed on behalf of a certain friendly artist this week? Answer below.

This was a fun face to paint. I really love photos from the Seventies. The hair, the clothes, the colors all bring back good memories for me and I think it comes through in the paintings.

This is another painting where the smile is just a little elusive. If I paint the smile too wide, then the face begins to look too old, and yet it’s such an important part of the face. I think I’m starting to understand why so many old portraits contain such serious expressions.

4×4 Oil on Masonite Block. $95. Email for details.

Answer: Because she’s has qualified to audition forJeopardy! I’m traveling this week to complete an interview and a screen test– think good thoughts for me!

And send me some faces! I’m nearing the halfway point, and I don’t want you to miss out! Hurry.

Today is my aunt’s birthday. She’s the aunt who helped me fix my hair for picture day in 7th grade, and convinced me that I should wait until I was at least 14 to start saving for the nose job. She promised that the rest of my face would catch up with my nose. And she was right.

She spent years of her life cross-stitching the letters of my name on a sampler that hung above my bed until the day I moved away to college.  Most importantly, she’s the first person who ever really believed in my artwork.

I think this photo might be from Prom 1972. I love how young and happy my aunt and uncle look. I love how they love each other–even 38 years later. And I love how my uncle is totally rocking the pink shirt.

Happy Birthday, Aunt Judy.