January 28, 2025

Light for the Year

Christmas is approaching, there's excitement in the air and lots to do. However, there's always time for a little creativity and a quiet hour or two in the studio. My 2023 journal is almost complete and I fancy filling the last page with fir trees and snow.

Collage is a great way to get started. I usually gather some collage pieces together, play around with a few ideas and start gluing.

Stuck & Unstuck. The snow laden sky and tree lined ridge was a satisfying start until I got stuck. I have learnt to be ok with this and find other projects to work on in the meantime. Inspiration isn’t far away and in this case, all it took was some festive tissue.

Fresh Interest. Our family Christmas is over & New Year beckons. It's like a window of time between years and my interest in the journal page is renewed. I know where I am going with it and have lots of ideas for development. I found some drawing paper with colorful marks to create the snowy foreground and now the page feels more solid.

Over the Finish Line. It's early January and my Christmas page is finished.

It came to a natural conclusion without all my ideas and the surprises of its own like the leaping deer and candles.

Light for the Year. A friend gave me a reflection by Howard Thurman, along with a small candle to light.

These gentle words helped guide me through the days of Christmas and continue to inspire me for the year ahead.

Finished Page

Embracing the Process

The pages of my art journal tell their own story as they develop and grow. It's a process of trying out, letting go, and making changes.

What began with a wintry Christmas theme became light and inspiration for the year. I do love these surprises.

I hope you have enjoyed coming along with me in the making of this journal page.

May this reflection inspire your creative living for the year ahead...