For the first time in a long time, I have had extended time off over the festive season. I was able to spend time with my Mum and dad who visited from Perth for Christmas.  I can honestly say it has been very cathartic. The recent hot weather here in Melbourne meant that my hubby and I spent two days in the aircon, reading, watching a bit of TV and doing mundane things in the house.  It was fabulous!
Each year at the end of the year, I sit down and think about what I would like for the coming year.  I then create a vision board for that year.  This is also the time I tick off what was achieved on the current years vision board.  Except for one bold audacious goal, everything had a tick next to it for 2024.  This was very pleasing to see.
Although, we can start a project, set goals, make plans and move ourselves forward any day of the year, the start of the year seems to be the one most people choose as a line in the sand.
Some of the areas I want to focus on in 2025 to make positive changes are in in the area of my personal and creative life.  Often, we can put areas on hold to focus on another area, which can lead to an imbalance.  So, what does this have to do with art?
Having a balanced life can help in so many ways with your creativity and can open up the portal to success in every area.  I am aiming on spending time catching up with people I didn’t get to spend as much time with as I would have liked to.  I also want to spend more time creating for myself.  It is true I create art with each art class I run, that is my practice sessions so to speak, I mean creating pieces that sing to me.  I want to Spend time experimenting and playing using my sketchbooks.
Now all I must do is fit this in with my planned travel and classes for 2025.  What a great problem to have, don’t you think? 

How do you start the new year? Leave your comments below

Featured photo:  A page from my grid sketchbook "Loose & abstract landscapes" 

Recently, I have exhibited in local art shows and exhibitions.  I was very fortunate that several of my pieces sold at the shows.  On two occasions, I was able to meet the collector of my artworks.
What came up in the conversations was how the artwork spoke to them. The pieces were quite different, watercolour and abstract mixed media landscapes. I know when I am creating a piece, I almost get this giddy feeling and butterflies.  When I experience those feelings, I know I am happy with what I have produced.  It may take time during the process for this to come up, sometimes it can be immediate within the first layer.  
It made me wonder if similar feelings came up for the observer of art.  Does the art talk to them through feelings, emotions, memories.  Does the art take them back to a time and place, does it send them into an unknown exciting future, through the art piece?  
I know, personally artwork feeds my soul, both purchasing and creating.  It evokes emotions and mostly brings joy.  Art is for everyone and is always a welcome addition into ones life.
 
Do you have an art piece that has evoked an emotion for you? Do you create art and have physical or emotional responses to what you create?  Leave your comments below.

Featured Artwork: Entertaining Angels and Friends