There’s a very particular feeling that arrives in the quiet stretch between Christmas and the New Year. A soft pause. Full bellies, slower mornings, time spent in kitchens and around tables - and that gentle mental clearing where ideas start to float back in.
This Christmas was a lovely one. Time with friends and family, lots of cooking and baking, plenty of sampling (purely for quality control, obviously), and a general sense of being well rested in spirit, if not always in body. It felt grounding - especially by the fireside after a lovely day, exactly what was needed before turning my thoughts towards the year ahead.
A Creative Look Back at 2025
2025 was, in many ways, a year of returning. Returning to ideas that had been quietly waiting. Returning to making without rushing. Returning - gently - to my own art practice after a long absence.
Alongside the gift collections and creative work that continued to evolve on the website, there was a noticeable shift happening in the background. Sketchbooks reopening. Paint being tested. Curiosity being allowed back in without expectation.
It wasn’t loud or dramatic - more of a steady re‑awakening - and I’m very glad I listened to it.
Studio Life (and Shed Life)
Creativity hasn’t been limited to the studio either. Over the winter weeks we’ve been upgrading the cat boxes in the shed - adding insulation, extra layers, and generally making them as snug as possible for cold nights. There’s something deeply satisfying about practical making like that. Measuring, adapting, improving - all small acts of care.
That same mindset carries through to art, I think. Building comfort, warmth, and safety - whether for animals, ideas, or ourselves.
A Proper Art Spoil
One of the great joys of late 2025 was finally stocking up properly for the work I want to do next. New professional acrylic paints, beautiful blank canvases, mixed media paper - all the good stuff.
It feels like a total spoil, and also like a quiet commitment. These materials are an invitation to show up, to experiment, to make a mess, to try things that might not work.
I can’t wait to begin focusing more intentionally on my artwork - letting ideas unfold, allowing time for exploration, and seeing where the work wants to go.
Focus, With Room to Wander
If I’m being honest (and when am I not), focusing on one creative area is always a bit of a challenge for me. I work best with structure and flexibility - a plan, but not a rigid one.
So while 2026 will be centred firmly around my art practice, I’m also allowing space for a little digression now and then. Other projects will continue quietly in the background. The website will still be maintained and cared for. Creativity doesn’t exist in neat boxes, and I’ve learned not to force it into them.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The intention for the year ahead is simple:
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More time in the studio
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More painting, experimenting, and learning
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Fewer expectations, more curiosity
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Letting unfinished ideas finally find their way forward
Some projects that have been hovering at the edges are ready to come into the light. Others will reveal themselves as the year unfolds. I’m trusting that process - and myself - a little more this time.
Thank You for Being Here
If you’re reading this as someone who enjoys following along with my art journey - thank you. Your interest, encouragement, and quiet support matter more than you know.
Here’s to 2026: creative, imperfect, exploratory, and full of possibility and here's to you having a wonderful happy and successful new year!
Warm wishes, Amanda x
