Now is the time of year, I sit back and evaluate the year that was.  I look at what worked well, what needs improvement and plans for the following year.  Reflection is a good thing.  It allows us time to look back on the year that was and take stock of the intricacies of where we have been. 
As I sat and evaluated both my personal and professional journey, there were some moments of pure joy and moments of challenges. 
In 2024, hubby and I decided to bite the bullet and get some renovations completed at home.  We had just lost our beautiful fur baby of almost 16 years.  It seemed like the right time to get things done as now it was just the two of us to consider.   
We needed to completely empty the house for the workmen to come in and remove our old flooring and to lay new flooring.  The garage and enclosed patio, also affectionately known as “Art in the Garden Room” were filled with the everything from the house.
Along the way there were a few little hiccups, such as new toilets to be installed which we hadn’t planned.  The dust was unbelievable as the tiles were jackhammered out.  Thank goodness we had our caravan; this became our temporary home for five weeks.   The flooring was finished, and the painters arrived to paint the inside of the house.  They would return a few weeks later to complete the outside.  It was all systems go.
Hubby and I still had both of our businesses to keep going.  As the enclosed patio was filled with our belongings, Creative Circle needed to be moved to another location for a term.  The mid-year Open Studio was put on hold, with only the summer one being held.  
Looking back at my art business, I was pleased to see growth even with the renovations taking up a lot of bandwidth for a period of time. In 2024, I launched the free monthly pain outs.  The first month was just three of us meeting up in a local park.  Although, a very chilly morning, the sun was out, and we had a fabulous time.  Since the first paint out more creatives are joining in as we venture to some of the beautiful locations in the City of Kingston.  
I have been fortunate enough to meet the most amazing creatives along the way and connect with wonderful people.   I have entered several art shows and had my artwork accepted, sold a record number of artworks, and run over 100 classes each year and this is to increase in 2025.
Taking stock of the year that was, now is the time to set up plans for the year that will be.
Do you assess your year?  Do you make plans for the following year?  Leave your comments below.

Featured Artwork:  Unnamed - available in 2025

At the time of writing, this morning was the monthly paint out on a cold, windy and drizzly morning.  It would have been oh, so easy to snuggle up in bed and not venture out into the Melbourne Autumn weather. Yet, eight of us rugged up, packed up art supplies and made our way to the park and gathered under the rotunda.  We all came with varying degrees of art kits, chairs, cushions and layers. For some it was the first time to paint en plein air, for others, it was a familiar way to spend a Saturday. 
We were all there for the enjoyment of spending some time to indulge in our love of creating, being outdoors and most importantly connecting with like-minded creatives.  The monthly paint out sessions is not about who makes the prettiest work, the best kit or has the best skills, it is about the enjoyment of connection, and the people, it is about painting and creating too.  I believe the biggest benefit of the monthly paint out is putting ourselves in the priority seat. 
It's great to take two hours once a month on a weekend to say hey everyone “I’m not available on this morning, this is my morning of meeting up and doing what I enjoy.”   The pleasure that is derived from being in the fresh air, chatting with familiar friendly faces and losing yourself on the page of the sketchbook is so fulfilling.  Sharing ideas, tips, and stories and finding out more about each other is building a new group of people to enjoy.
As we pack up and finish our hot drinks, the chatter reaches a crescendo of last-minute info and well wishes until the next time we meet. We all head off back to our various tasks for the day, helping each other to take our bits and bobs to the car, and then off we go.  And that is what meeting monthly and painting outdoors is all about, painting, people and priorities.
 
Do you want to join us?  It’s free and everyone is welcome.  Visit here to register for the next one.