Wishing that 2025 brings what it may, and that I live in the present as much as possible (and same for you my readers)…
I take great joy in writing about my experiences with art, both as an artist and as a human. I am immensely grateful that my art journey is going alongside my spiritual journey and most importantly with my wellbeing journey.
When I started this blog, I was so inspired by the beautiful energy Venice had given me back in summer 2023. Living with anxiety and learning tools to manage it, it does not always come easily for me to venture into new places and to engage with people. But the tools I have been using, have allowed me to go along with plans even when feeling anxious and sometimes this proves to be the dreamiest of experiences that it can be.
There are things in life that change you profusely, interactions with people can have that effect on me, deep connections and impressions that can be long lasting. Venice is a magical place, filled with the most beautiful of creative energies and astonishing surroundings. Being in a place dedicated to art, as the ECA is, surrounded by artists, curators, educators within art and others in the industry, had a vibrant energy. The beginning was at times overwhelming, interacting with new people, pushing through fears and getting myself to attend events and classes. Self-doubt can also be debilitating and intrusive, yet when you are surrounded by so much wonderful energy that all seems to vanish. Over the course of 10 days I would be gifting my art practice one of the most beautiful gifts, the one of self-belief.
I met many women, others who have become role models since we met, inspired by their own journeys, practices and the way they lead with determination, resilience and dedication for their art practice. I have reflected lately how very fortunate I was to experience and meet these dedicated group of women artists, as I never had an art role model growing up. Not only were they there to grow within their art, they were also there, to show how deeply and sincerely they are dedicating their time and efforts to their art.
Leading a creative life inevitably has made me reflect and think about creativity and to make the most natural of connections with our shared creativity for humans as well as for animals. Learning to be patient and to connect with my cycles and my own intuition has been a gentle process of deeper understanding and so soothing to my soul. From this, I am actively finding ways to live and create more mindfully, and sometimes using moments of reflection like the one above, can serve me to connect with the present moment. By filling me with gratitude for the beautiful journeys that life can bring, even when there are things in the world that can cause deep fear, as the times we live in. I will take it one day at a time, and cultivate more of that for my 2025.
We are all making the best of the times we are living in, even with all the gloom in the news. I choose to create moments of peace and joy for myself and my family.
Wishing you all a special time of relaxation, joy and fun. Hug your loved ones and yourself a little extra this coming holidays and lets think that it will be what it may in 2025, and we will find ways forwards to keep us all well, kindness, care, creativity, love and gratitude will lead the way.
Below are some of the artworks I was grateful I got to see in 2024, they moved me and held me in a beautiful way. All made by artists whom I admire deeply. Listed below.
Remedios Varo
Judy Chicago
Elizabeth Sparhawk-Jones
Georgia O’Keeffe
