Happy New Year!
A Fresh Canvas: New Year Reflections from the Studio
As we step into 2025, I find myself thinking about water again (no surprise there!). There’s something deeply satisfying about the way a new year arrives like a clean river after heavy rain, carrying away the sediment of the past whilst revealing fresh patterns beneath. While painting, I’ve been contemplating how water never truly starts or stops, it simply continues its eternal cycle of transformation. Perhaps that’s the secret: we’re not really beginning anew, but rather flowing into the next phase of our creative journey with all the richness of experience we’ve gathered along the way.
This January, my easels (I’ve got three!) are calling out for more bold experiments and playful exploration. I’m drawn to the idea of embracing the unpredictable nature of mixed media, much like water finding its own path through a landscape. What happens when I add more texture? What if I let that metallic leaf crack and breathe? There’s a particular thrill in not knowing exactly where a painting will lead, and I’m eager to surrender to that uncertainty in the months ahead.
So here’s to 2026, may it bring you moments of stillness and movement, clarity and mystery, reflection and renewal. And may we all find time to dive beneath the surface of our daily routines to discover what’s waiting in the depths. Whether you’re picking up a brush, a camera, a kayak paddle, or simply taking a mindful walk by water, I hope you’ll join me in exploring what makes us feel truly alive this year.
