Wow, there goes another year… I feel like the older I get, the quicker they fly by!

I’ve had a fantastic year art-wise and it's always nice to stop and reflect on what's happened over the year and show my gratitude to everyone who continues to support me, cheer me on and follow along with me on this crazy art journey.

The start of the year had me launching an exclusive collection with Greenhouse Interiors which was certainly one of those “pinch me” moments. I was over the moon to be asked to come on board with the Greenhouse gang and be amongst such a group of amazing artists. My collection was very well received, selling out quickly and leaving them begging for more!

I was kept busy for the first few months of 2023, working my way through plenty of commissions, knowing we had our planned trip around Australia from April onwards and I spent a few months prior trying to tidy everything up and clear my plate.

After being so busy and close to burnout, it was a lovely feeling to put the paint brushes away and head off on the road with the caravan and kids in tow while we explored some of our beautiful country for 3 ½ months. We travelled from our home in Jervis Bay across to South Australia, across the Nullarbor, up the coast of Western Australia, across to Darwin and back down the middle of Northern Territory and South Australia. It was lovely to unplug, spend quality family time together and make lifelong memories with the kids.

When we returned in July, I had all intentions of taking the art much slower and I have certainly been much better at setting some boundaries than I was previously, and limiting the amount of time and brain space that I was investing into my art. But, like anything you love and are passionate about, it does sneak back in and I do have to try and keep myself in check, as I do bloody love it and it doesn’t feel like a job at all.

On our return, I jumped back into a long waiting list of commissions and enjoyed getting back into the swing of things after a long break, full of new inspiration.

In August I was thrilled to be selected as a finalist in the Petite Collection small work art prize judged by the amazing Ken Done, with my piece titled “ On the Bay. ”

In November I participated in a Greenhouse Interiors Mini Christmas collection release and I was so thrilled when all my works found loving homes within the first hour or two of the launch.

I've been so blessed this year to connect with so many new collectors, and formed some new business connections (exciting news coming!). I am extremely humbled by everyone's support of my art and I've been blown away watching school kids from all over the world studying my art and using it as inspiration to create their masterpieces. All the teachers spreading the joy of colour, repetitive mark-making for mindfulness and teaching kids that art has no boundaries. You don't need to be able to draw or paint realistically to create, art is just magical and I love it.

(Image courtesy of @mrsgreenartbaby- Instagram)

My Instagram account followers have picked up momentum again after going backwards while I was away on my extended holiday. Now that I am back into regularly posting and sharing with you all, I've welcomed lots of new followers over the past few months. In the last 12 months, I've gone from 12,000 followers to over 30,000 which is mind-blowing, especially when I wasn't active for 3 1/2 months of the year. Instagram has been such a lovely way to connect with people from across the world and I'm very thankful for this free platform that I can share my art with you all so easily.

I wrapped up an amazing year with the launch of some of my work on fabric, a collaboration with Nerida Hansen Fabrics. Five of my artwork designs are now available in a range of beautiful fabrics worldwide which is so flipping exciting. I can't wait to see all the wonderful creations people make with these beautiful fabrics!

Well, I think that's a wrap! I often don't quite know how I juggle the art with full-time work, mum duties, the gym, meal prepping, and the never-ending laundry... Oh and getting 8 hours of sleep every night too! But somehow I managed to squeeze it all in while not going too crazy in the process. Luckily, I find the painting itself so therapeutic and great for me to enjoy after a busy and sometimes stressful day. It's my version of sitting down to watch TV and unwind and I love it. I enjoy the quiet, the time to myself, something just for me.

Thanks again for your purchases of my art and prints, your likes and comments, and for cheering me along as I continue to grow in my art practice. I truly appreciate your ongoing support.

I wish you and your family a joyful Christmas and look forward to seeing what 2024 has in store for us all.