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" 

My life has changed in so many ways to what it was even ten years ago.   I was working and juggling a business.  I seemed to always be on the go and in a rush.  I would be full speed from one appointment to the next, rushing to make deadlines, rushing to a meeting, rushing home, rushing, rushing, rushing.  There was no time to stop, look around and smell the roses. 
When my business closed due to COVID, I was spending more time creatively; I was less rushed.  I slowed down and adjusted my thinking, my speed, and my entire outlook. 

I started to stop and smell the roses, take in the scents that surrounded me, the colours that engulfed my views, the shapes that danced in front of my eyes.  I started to see the world from the artist's eyes. 

Where I teach art classes, one of the participants said to me recently, "I walk differently now".   She went on and explained, I now really see the sunset or sunrise, I now look at a tree and see the gnarly bark and twigs, I see the different greens in the grass.   I understand what she was sharing, as I experienced the same when I started to slow down and invest in my creative experiences.

I do walk differently, my eyes are open to the wonders that surround us every day. The ever-changing colours in the sky, the earth, grass and vegetation.  The shapes in buildings, fences,  nature, and structures.  

Suddenly, everything took on a new meaning, new excitement and new opportunities. My walk was mindful and I was in the moment, experiencing the delights  I had rushed past for so long.
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Do you enjoy walking, have you slowed down to stop and smell the roses?  How does it make you feel?  Drop a comment below and share your story.

Photo:  Rose from our garden