End of year review
The end of 2025 and there is much to look back on and much to look forward to in 2026.
I thought it would be fun to post some pics of what’s happened in this past year both creatively and personally.
It’s been a bit of a whirlwind as it marks my first full year in retirement, plus “shacking up” with my long time partner Robert, plus moving to the “country”. A lot of newness all at once which I am still digesting.
So saying goodbye to 2025 with this recap.
Christmas Fair in November
I did my first market show in November - it went well - it’s a lot of work - making the products, deciding how to display them, purchasing display stands etc., preparing packaging, printing business cards, pricing tags and a whole lot more Those of you who have done shows know what I am talking about.
Everyone asks me - would I do it again? If I was looking to make a lot of money - the answer is no - if I was looking to meet with like minded souls - absolutely!
The best part, by far, was meeting and talking with the other vendors and talking with wonderful customers.
(PS. I will be putting what did not sell in my shop in the next week or so and you can have a look to see if anything interests you)
New Products
I also wanted to show you these since I haven’t listed them yet in the shop but they are on their way.
These 6 x 6 canvases were made at the same time as many others for the market but I wanted to show you something special about this one that I hadn’t tried before.
The main subject of this piece is the collaged vases and floralsin the forefront but if you have a closer look you can see that the background is actually a scene of a street in Paris. This was a photo I had taken when I was in Paris over 10 years ago. I have been incorporating these photos in much of my work this many years later. (You may also have noticed this on my new journals like the one listed here and here where I used pictures of Paris and Barcelona respectively as the covers. )
I love this idea of experimenting with different options, i.e a street scene background with a vases and florals foreground? I think the juxtaposition of the Paris scene with the collaged flower pots in front really works and makes the piece super interesting. What do you think - does it work?
Add to list for 2026 - more of this experimenting ✓
Travel
I did a lot of travelling in 2025. Of course, since I was retired, that was the plan, and the plan I followed ✓
New York, New York in March 2025
Portugal!! October 2025
Beautiful Banff, Alberta in June 2025
Dominican Republic April 2025
In Print!
I was also published in 2025 in Somerset’s Art Journalling July issue. I used to submit a lot more but in the last few years have not - add to list for 2026. ✓
July 2025 Issue
Time with friends and family
We built a new deck which we enjoyed all summer and we watched some beautiful sunsets on the water as a family! (✓ for 2026)
We are a gang of 6 girlfriends and we meet for dinners fairly regularly and once or twice a year we rent an airbnb for a weekend together. This was late September but we lucked out with great weather and even made it into the water for kayaking.
And now for 2026
I’ve let myself sort of drift in 2025 in my first year of my retirement allowing myself time to figure things out in terms of the BIG - WHAT NOW?
I can’t say I have come to any big or conclusive decisions but I do know a few things I want to tackle that will probably help me move in the right direction. What I do know is that I want more creativity, more travel and more joy. I read an interesting quote recently that hit me close to home:
As you grow older it dawns on you that you are yourself. That your job is not to force yourself into a style, but to do what you want. ~David Park
I think I’ll do what I want ✓
As the year ends with Christmas less than a week away I want to wish you and yours a happy and healthy and joyful holiday season
I’ll leave you with these links that hopefully are as inspiring for you as they were for me to end your year.
Jenna O’Brien - obsessed with living joyfully
Virginia Chamlee on Frivolity
Tara Austen Weaver - What’s your source of Joy
India Knight - fun, enjoyable reading on anything
What are your plans for 2026?