New Year 2025
2024 was quite a year for me. This entry in my blog is a summary of where I am right now at the start of 2025 and how I feel about the coming year.
I have had a whirlwind first 4 months back in self employment as an illustrator and ceramic artist. It’s been a big learning curve, the first time I have been full time self employed with no part time job.
I learned such a lot when I worked in education, and I want to continue teaching as part of my art practice. From mid-January, I will be teaching at an after school art club at Cornerstone Arts in Didcot. I am really looking forward to getting back in front of a small class.
I have also been making plans for some workshops in 2025. I am working on the content and thinking of where I can do this. It is a ‘watch this space’ situation.
I have had a regular pitch at Gloucester Green Outdoor market in Oxford since September as well as a variety of other markets and I am going to continue with that through 2025.
I am working on a commission at the moment and I hope that commissions will be a bigger part of my working life over the course of 2025.
Plans to get my work out into shops and galleries are also taking shape.
I have lots of new illustrations planned, and 4 months experience in realising how quickly time goes and that you have to make the most of every moment to get it all done.
Then there is my ceramic work! I see this as part of my illustration practice, but I need to do this more, and I am in the process of researching the viability of having a small kiln at home. I am still enrolled at City of Oxford College until July, but now on an open access course with just a technician present, which is perfect for me.
As a creative person it really is important to give yourself some space for the ideas to develop and take shape, a space where a bit of magic can happen. I realise that one of the most important things I need to do is to make time for reflection, rest and play, that is probably going to be my biggest challenge!
I belong to Oxford Ukuleles group and that is great for getting away from my desk one evening very two weeks, practicing for the occasional gig and having fun learning to play a musical instrument. I also go paddle boarding which is great for calming the mind. I have sorted out quite a few illustrations in my head as I have been paddling around on Farmoor Reservoir at Oxford SUP club.
So many ideas and plans. I need to be really time-savvy to make the most of this year. I have made some excellent connections over the first few months and met some fantastic people.
The coming year ahead fills me with feelings of excitement, and to be honest, also some trepidation. I think these ingredients are perfect for a really interesting year. I feel really positive and confident that at the end of it, I could end up with a really nice 2025 cake. 😄
Good luck to all, I hope this year is kind to our dreams. We could all use a bit of luck. Take a look at my illustration of the door opening to 2025. Can you spot the 12 good luck symbols I have included in it?
Answers below….
Two magpies
A lucky horse shoe
Keys
Three-legged toad
A penny on the floor, waiting to be picked up
A shooting star
The full moon
A black cat
The number seven
Salt, ready to be tossed over a shoulder
A four-leafed clover
Two ladybirds