Update #16 - Where I prepare for a new exhibition, declutter my entire life, and finally get back in the studio

This is where I share what I’ve been up to behind the scenes to move my art career forward - the good, the bad, and the as-yet-to-be-determined.

By the time you read this I will be fully ensconced in my Christmas cocoon. I’m taking a full three weeks off over the holidays and oh my have I earned it this year! I’m excited to get some really good rest (including a fully-unplugged week in our cabin in the woods by the sea).

The month isn’t quite over yet, but here’s how December has shaken out so far…

December’s Rose, Bud, & Thorn

The Rose is something that went well, the Thorn is something that didn’t go so well or is challenging, and the Bud is something that is still percolating…

ROSE

Most of this month has been focused on clearing out the old to make room for the new. I’ve been on what can only be described as a decluttering spree! My home, my digital spaces, my art studio, my thoughts and beliefs - it’s all had a jolly good sort out and spruce up. I’m feeling fresh and clean and ready for whatever 2025 has to bring! It feels AMAZING.

Given all of that, I don’t think it’s any coincidence that I’ve started work on new collection! I’m still very much in the planning, experimenting, and exploration phase at the moment, but I’m excited to see how it all develops. It’s an idea I’ve had for a while, and it’s a bit of a wildcard but I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes.

BUD

I have a new exhibition! I wasn’t intending to do any more shows locally, but Lars sold a board game to a guy who has just opened a new cafe/gallery/art space one street over from our apartment, and things developed from there.

To cut a long story short, Lars totally pimped me out, so I’ll be showing a bunch of work there when they officially open in January. I dropped off a batch of Little Wobbles last week, and there might be some extra pieces as well. We’ll see what the full scope is in the new year.

It’s exciting to be doing something locally again, and even more so because Lars took care of the whole thing which meant that I barely had to lift a finger! We’ve also been filming the whole process so there’ll be a YouTube video all about the preparation and the vernissage etc.

In other news, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want next year to look like. I like to plan seasonally, following the wheel of the year, so my new year doesn’t really begin until end of January, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been feeling that new year vibe.

For 2025 I’m calling in more joy, more fun, more play and a hell of a lot more rest!

THORN

It’s been a pretty good month, all in all. Especially after the heaviness of the preceding few months (I’m very relieved to have moved into an easier headspace). The only thorn this month is just being a bit worn out, which is sort of inevitable at the end of the year. Especially this year.

So that’s it from me for 2024. The next time you hear from me will be mid-January, when I shall return to your inboxes well-rested and full of beans!

I hope that you have a wonderful whatever-you-celebrate and a happy new year. Thank you so much for being here and for supporting me and my work. It genuinely means the world to me.