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Englewood Artist Evokes City Memories With Watercolors

ENGLEWOOD, N.J. — A painting can be a window into a memory. At least, that's what watercolor artist Dorrie Rifkin, of Englewood, tries to evoke when she paints cityscapes.

Dorrie Rifkin working on one of her watercolor paintings.

Dorrie Rifkin working on one of her watercolor paintings.

Photo Credit: Angelito Jusay Photography
Rifkin prefers to paint locations around the city that evoke a memory for people who share a fondness for the same spot.

Rifkin prefers to paint locations around the city that evoke a memory for people who share a fondness for the same spot.

Photo Credit: Dorrie Rifkin
Rifkin finds most of her commercial success through painting beer bottles and selling them on Etsy.

Rifkin finds most of her commercial success through painting beer bottles and selling them on Etsy.

Photo Credit: Dorrie Rifkin
Rifkin's watercolor painting depicting Jimmy's Corner in Manhattan.

Rifkin's watercolor painting depicting Jimmy's Corner in Manhattan.

Photo Credit: Dorrie Rifkin

"I did a painting of Lincoln Center, people told me saying their husband asked them to marry him there," Rifkin said. "Everyone has some kind of story like that."

Her watercolor paintings have been displayed in New Milford, Tenafly and Demarest. 

The eternity of city streets always fascinated Rifkin. Two strangers from different eras could walk down the same street and have their own memories attached to it.

Those personal stories are what motivates her to keep painting.

"If I’m going to spend six months doing a watercolor there’s gotta be some attachment. It can’t just be someone’s going to buy it," Rifkin said.

She now paints full time. She teaches watercolor painting in Paramus and Ridgewood, and sells her artwork on Etsy.

Her most popular item is watercolor paintings of beer bottles. She gets recommendations of which bottles to paint from friends.

Rifkin is happy to be making a living painting but is still shocked by her own life. 

"Most Jewish mothers worst nightmare is 'Mom I want to go into fine art,' they say 'What you don’t want to marry a doctor?'" Rifkin said. "To be successful is mindboggling and fun."

Rifkin's website can be found by clicking here. Her Etsy page is located here

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