I hope you all had a wonderfully festive break and found time to relax and reconnect with loved ones. Christmas felt especially magical this year for me. We hosted family and friends for a lively Christmas lunch, followed by a whirlwind few days catching up with more relatives. Amid the busyness, we managed to carve out some downtime to recharge—just what the season called for.
2025 Planning
The quiet days between Christmas and New Year were a golden opportunity for reflection. I wrapped up my review of 2024 and mapped out my goals for the next 12 months. This year, I’ve struck a better balance between my art ambitions and personal life goals, which leaves me feeling optimistic.
Of course, true to form, I may have set a few too many goals, and some are still a bit hazy. Over the next couple of weeks, I plan to refine them and create my usual visual chart for the back of my studio door. Having these goals in my line of sight is a constant reminder to stay on track, even when life gets busy.
If you’re struggling with your 2025 planning don’t forget to download my free artists guides which are 3 practical workbooks to help you clarify and focus.
Inspiration is All Around
Yes, I admit it—I watched Love Actually again this Christmas! But beyond festive indulgences, I’ve committed to setting goals around inspiration this year. While practical studio targets like art sales are essential, I firmly believe staying inspired is just as important.
I’m planning on creating some new inspiration boards this year so will share them once complete. As a starter for 10 I revisited ‘What brings me joy’ as part of my planning.
I’ve penciled in at least one “inspiration day” each month. These will be days dedicated to exploring harbors, walking along the coastline, or immersing myself in the work of other artists. My bookshelf is brimming with art books I’ve been meaning to explore, so I’ll aim for a deep dive into one book a month.
My targets around health and fitness—especially walking—should also spark creativity. More time outdoors means more opportunities to draw inspiration from the natural world, particularly the sea. You can definitely expect more sea inspired works from me in 2025!
First Art Exhibition of 2025
One of my goals for the year is to attend more art exhibitions. Since moving back to the North East, I’ve found it a bit harder to get to London-based galleries—what used to be a quick train ride now takes over three hours.
Thankfully, Newcastle’s Hatton Gallery is a treasure trove of culture. Today, I kicked off the year with a visit to Returning, a retrospective of British abstract painter Mali Morris. The exhibition celebrates Morris’s career, showcasing her luminous and vibrant canvases. It was a joyful explosion of colour—exactly the kind of inspiration I needed to start the year with a creative spark.
The energy and lightness of her work were breathtaking. It reminded me why I set goals around inspiration: moments like these feed the soul and fuel the art.
Here’s to an inspiring and productive 2025 for us all! Let’s make it a year to embrace creativity, set meaningful goals, and keep finding joy in the process.