tonysteele wrote:
GIMP Version: 2.8.4
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: Windows 7, 64 bit
GIMP Experience: Beginner Level
Help me. Is there a way I can get close to this effect, from using a regular photo?
Yes but you would want to do it in Inkscape. You can do it in GIMP but the vector results would be better. This type of art work is named "Vexel Art" because you create vector pieces of each color by using the paths tool over each shade of color and saving to separate layers.
Pixel and Vector = Vexel.