In a sunlit gallery nestled within MacRae’s on Washington Street, artist Heather Orenstein and photographer Julian Orenstein welcomed visitors to their joint exhibition, a celebration of creativity, connection, and courage to follow new dreams.
The couple’s collaboration marks not only their shared artistic debut but also a reflection on how intention, vulnerability, and partnership can transform lives.
The pair’s creative journey began on New Year’s Eve, heading into 2022.
“We were setting intentions for the coming year,” Julian Orenstein recalled. “We had both been toying around with art in different ways, and we challenged each other. I said, ‘Go ahead, say it: I’m an artist.’”
That mutual encouragement became the seed for what would blossom into parallel careers in painting and photography.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, like many, Heather Orenstein was prompted to reflect and reevaluation of purpose.
“When we decided we wanted to be in Marblehead full-time, we found a bigger place,” she said. “Now I can paint at home — it’s ideal.”
For Heather Orenstein, painting came almost by surprise.
“A friend needed to practice teaching oil painting, and I offered to help,” she said with a smile. “She told me, ‘If you can paint yourself, you can paint anyone.’”
That experiment unlocked a hidden gift.
One of her early pieces, a portrait of her husband Julian’s late mother, became an eye-opening experience.
“Painting her gave me the experience, or maybe the illusion, of getting to know her,” she said. “Everyone in the family says she was the most phenomenal person.”
Her art now reflects both mythic and modern influences. Inspired by “The Power of Myth” and the writings of Joseph Campbell, Heather Orenstein’s series “Behind the Mask” explores the fluidity of identity.
“We’re basically all wearing masks of the divine,” she explained. “It’s about illustrating the vessel, that we can be anything we want.”
Her style, influenced by American painter Alex Katz, blends bold color and minimalist form with a contemplative spirit.
“Three years isn’t very long,” she admitted, “but this style feels natural, authentic.”
Julian Orenstein’s photography, meanwhile, brings life and stillness into perfect balance. After years in a high-stakes medical environment, photography became both a creative outlet and a form of meditation.
“People think pediatric emergency medicine is all stress,” he said. “But it’s actually very focused. You learn to see clearly. Photography gives me that same sense of attention, capturing something that makes me lose myself for a moment.”
His latest series grew from simple walks through their neighborhood garden.
“I started doing close-ups of whatever I found, just experimenting,” he said. “The greatest photographs haven’t all been taken yet. That’s what keeps me going.”
Beyond their individual work, Heather and Julian Orenstein view their artistic collaboration as a reflection of their relationship.
“It’s exhilarating, a tangible expression of partnership,” Julian Orenstein said.
Together, they found not only artistic fulfillment but also community. Their show came together through a friend’s recommendation and a connection with Jennifer Lewis, the gallery owner, whose focus on sustainability aligned with their values.
Heather Orenstein’s closing reflection captures the spirit of their journey: “You could be good at something and not have any idea. That’s why it’s important to try new things. What if you never tried?”
Their story — equal parts courage, curiosity, and connection — is a reminder that art isn’t only what we make, but how we live.
