Emily Explores: Custom Portraits

Creating Something New By Building On What I Know

🎨 Welcome

How can we create something new without starting over? I’m entering a new season in my life and following that experience, a new season in my creative work as well. I want to start something new. Right now, I connect very much with this Dan Nielsen quote…

“Don’t be afraid to start over. This time you're not starting from scratch.

You’re starting from experience.”

The key idea I’m focusing on is building up the areas of my creative life that bring me joy and a sense of peaceful productivity. My goal is to build upon what I already know and build up places where I have the skills and passion, but haven’t had the time to really get things moving. What an exciting time. I thought I’d be more afraid to let go of past projects and move in a new direction, but I feel calm. Perhaps this is a sign it’s the right path for me to take.

However you are feeling now about your creative work - afraid or calm - or somewhere in between - I’m sending love to you. Keep going.

Good journey,

~Emily Lupita

---

---

🌈 Building on What I Know

I know self-portraits. The first one I drew (that I know of) was when I was about five years old. I called her, “Lupita" and to this day the Lupita portraits remain the center of my creative life. They’ve transformed in many ways over the years, becoming more and more complex. Now I’ve added another layer to the portraits by using sound and movement to my artwork. It’s fun and joyful. I love making these new short videos.

---

Some of my family & friends have suggested I try painting custom portraits in this new style. (Thank you for the encouragement. 💗) I used to do quite a few custom portraits years ago and loved it. But I stopped. I’m thinking about building on that experience and starting again to do custom portraits - but this time with the added video element. I already finished a few to see how it feels and posted this one of my Mom learning to draw again after her stroke on my Instagram.

---

Let me know what you think in the comments.

---

🌸 Cappadocia Book - Here Come the Proofs!

The proofs are rolling out now for my new book about my two sons on an adventure in Cappadocia, Turkiye. Yay!

As each page proof prints, I am reminded of the love that I poured into each design. And how painting these pages gave me so much joy during a cold winter season. I’m grateful. 💙

---

👩🏻‍💻 Instagram / Social Media Break

I’m back on Instagram with a new name @EmilyLupitaExplores after taking an intentional break from all social media. Please help me continue to reach out by sharing this newsletter with someone you think may be interested.

---

---

---

❤️‍🔥