2025 was not a year that followed a neat or predictable path.
Early in the year, my husband and I spent seven weeks on a road trip through Tasmania. It was a slower, more spacious time — long drives, changing light, quiet coastal towns, forests, and wide open skies. While I wasn’t producing large volumes of finished work, that time away fed something deeper. I gathered visual ideas, colour palettes, and a renewed appreciation for nature’s subtleties, all of which continue to find their way into my watercolour work.
I began the year with a very clear focus:
Securing an art licensing deal. Teaching took a back seat while I poured my energy into building collections, refining my style, and producing consistent, professional work to send to my licensing agent. That focus paid off in October, when I secured an art licensing deal — a goal I had been working toward for some time, and a real milestone in my creative career.
But, 2025 also came with some unexpected challenges.
I was unwell twice during the year, with one bout leaving me largely bed‑bound for almost three months. Even once the worst had passed, it took time — and patience — for my energy and motivation to return. Those quieter months were frustrating, humbling, and necessary. They forced me to slow down in ways I hadn’t planned, and to rethink what a sustainable creative life actually looks like.
On top of that, I travelled to India twice for dental work. These trips were significant — physically, emotionally, and logistically — and added another layer of disruption to what I had imagined the year would be.
And yet, beneath all of that, the work continued.
Even when my output slowed, my direction didn’t change. Always returning to watercolour. Constantly refining my ideas. While building a body of work that feels increasingly true to me.
By the end of the year, my energy had returned, along with a renewed sense of clarity and motivation. I found myself excited again — not just about painting, but about what comes next.
What I’m Working on Now
Right now, my focus is on watercolour projects and maintaining a steady, reliable flow of new work for my licensing agent.
I’m painting with intention.
That means:
- Developing cohesive collections rather than isolated pieces
- Working more thoughtfully with colour, subject matter, and technique
- Allowing space for experimentation while still meeting professional deadlines
There’s a quiet confidence that comes from having weathered a difficult year and coming out the other side still standing — still creating.
Looking Ahead: Plans for 2026
2026 feels like a year of gentle expansion.
Rather than rushing or overloading my schedule, I’m aiming for consistency, balance, and sustainability.
Some of my intentions for the year ahead include:
- Entering more art shows and putting my work in front of new audiences
- Continuing to build my licensing portfolio, with regular submissions and new collections
- Returning to teaching, either through online classes, in‑person workshops, or a combination of both
- Staying connected to the joy of watercolour : the reason I began painting in the first place
If 2025 taught me anything, it’s that progress doesn’t always look loud or linear. Sometimes it looks like rest. Sometimes it looks like persistence. And sometimes it looks like quietly showing up again when you’re ready.
I’m stepping into 2026 with gratitude for where I’ve been, clarity about where I’m going, and a deep appreciation for the slower, steadier rhythm I’m learning to honour.
Thank you for being here and for following along on this journey.
