78 Comments
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Becky J's avatar

Jennifer, I am so sorry about your mom. That pain and that fog is so difficult. Sending wishes for peace to you this new year.

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Jennifer Orkin Lewis's avatar

Thank you so much Becky, I appreciate it.

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Jessica Feiden's avatar

Happy New Year, Jennifer! I am loving all these self portraits. It is inspiring me to paint again and try something similar. :)

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Jennifer Orkin Lewis's avatar

Yes Jessica!!! You should try, keep them short like 30 minutes so you don't feel like it eats up your whole day.

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Amy Makechnie's avatar

I love these 💚 so sorry to hear about your mom. I hope you feel her with you this year as you observe and paint such beauty!

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Jennifer Orkin Lewis's avatar

I do, Thank you, I appreciate it!!

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Gayle Kabaker's avatar

so wonderful to see all of these together! what a fantastic series.

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B Cohen's avatar

Hi Jennifer, thank you for sharing your sketchbook selfies. So much more interesting than photos, right? Seeing them inspires me to try something similar. Since I don’t travel extensively I will take a cue from you & place myself in scenes I dream of experiencing.

Here’s to a better year ahead. Hugs,

BJ

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Jennifer Orkin Lewis's avatar

Yes to the virtual travel through art, and I agree wholeheartedly about how much more interesting than a photo. Happy 2025

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juliette crane's avatar

Love your selfies so much! It’s inspiring to see them all together and a wonderful reminder of the healing power in art and the importance to let go and play 💕 Wishing you a phenomenal new year!!!

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Jennifer Orkin Lewis's avatar

Yes, the healing power of art. We need that! Thank you Juliette!

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Susan's avatar

So original and colorful and I love how you stated you paint where you wish you could be…that’s fabulously fun and creative. What inspiration! I too experienced several painful losses this year. None of them expected. Life changing and sad but in many ways has caused me to be a better human being, growing and learning about myself, who I really am inside. And painting world new to me as a result of the loss. The world can be a serendipitous place, so many connections and stories. Happy 2025 and may you have new understandings of how we all fit here together…

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Jennifer Orkin Lewis's avatar

Beautiful comment, thank you! We learn and grow from each experience.

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Susan Orlins's avatar

These are so wonderful – – it makes me wish that I didn’t wear basically the same thing every day – – a black collared what I call undershirt, a flannel shirt, thin cardigan, colorful long, fingerless, gloves, puffy vest black pants.

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Jennifer Orkin Lewis's avatar

And right there is your opportunity to play with possibilities and color! You don’t have to buy anything new, just play with paint!!

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Susan Orlins's avatar

Love this idea!

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Peg Jorgensen's avatar

Loved your post and all the self portraits. You continue to inspire me and my painting journey. Thank you!

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Jennifer Orkin Lewis's avatar

Yes, keep going, everyday isn’t perfect but one by one you build a great practice! Thank you!

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Courtie Bassarab's avatar

So sorry for your loss. Beautiful paintings, hope they helped you 'feel all the feels...'

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Jennifer Orkin Lewis's avatar

It helps, and painting is also a way to escape into a different zone which is well needed.

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Michele Champion's avatar

Jennifer, I enjoyed looking at your selfie paintings. Are you looking at yourself while doing them?

Sorry about your Mom. It is always a hard loss. Mine was 98 when she passed in 2020. When you have someone that long it hard to believe they are gone in body but here in spirit, that is what they say!

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Jennifer Orkin Lewis's avatar

So true!

I try to paint 1 a month but it’s sometimes less and sometimes more. I take a pic of myself in the bedroom mirror. It’s just a reference, not a good picture.

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Jojo B's avatar

Oh I LOVE these! I’m a new subscriber and this was my first post from you and it felt very inspirational and kismet-y. Thank you!

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Jennifer Orkin Lewis's avatar

I'm so glad to hear, sending out newsletters is stressful kind of, Thank you!!!

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Jess Stride's avatar

I love these! What a great idea and a lovely collection of how you were at certain times.😍 A very happy and creative new year to you!

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Jennifer Orkin Lewis's avatar

And to you too Jess. Thank you!

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Terry Belanger's avatar

Jennifer I too had a lousy 2024 and I share your feelings. I too have had a hard time art-ing with so much else on my mind. Your words were exactly what I needed to hear. Let's stuff 2024 behind us and rock out in the new year!

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Jennifer Orkin Lewis's avatar

Glad it helped. There are so many ups and downs and we have to plow through. Yay to a happier 2025

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Jennifer Moore's avatar

I'm so sorry for your loss, Jennifer! I can relate to the type of year you had. Your selfie series is so inspiring!

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Jennifer Orkin Lewis's avatar

Thank you! I appreciate it!

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Joy-Marie's avatar

Thank you! These are inspiring. Is this gouache?

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Jennifer Orkin Lewis's avatar

Yes, both acrylagouache and regular gouache

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Joy-Marie's avatar

Thank you. I have your book but gouache is hard for me

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