Where did 2025 go? I had such a busy year having focused on exhibiting, that it did impact my making, I am making up for that now, but it is taking me a while to get back into a routine.

2025

2025 was an interesting (and busy) year. I focused on getting myself out there at in person events.

From Feb to June I attended a number of events and overall sales were poor, and even non-existent at some. Not all was lost though as I met some lovely people and enjoyed talking about art.

Applying for an open art competition

I was delighted when one of my paintings was accepted for an open art competition.

Other exhibitions

I opened my art studio to the public in the summer and really enjoy turning my usually messy studio into an exhibition space to welcome visitors, I love being the curator. I had some great visitors and really value their feedback about my work. I get lots of requests for workshops and I will be developing these in 2026.

I took part in an art festival, exhibited at a national trust house and got invited to share my work in a new florists shop. My final event of the year was at an arts centre. My fortunes changed at all of these events and made up for my poor start of the year.

So all in all, a slow start with a positive ending. It’s important to test out different exhibition venues to find out where your artwork best sits; I now have a clearer idea of this. One thing I got from all of them was the social connections, finding out what customers like or don’t like, meeting other artists and this was so much fun.

2026 will be quieter in terms of exhibiting, which means more time for making.

The art of business. The business of art.

My favourite time of year! Long days, spending time outdoors, watching the flowers and birds come and go, holidays exploring new places, fresh fruit and salad, and this year I can add, taking part in lots of art events and meeting lovely folk!

Warwickshire Open Studios 21st June – 6th July 2025

Warwickshire Open Studios

Opening my studio for Warwickshire Open Studios has been a delight. Setting up my work, in the place where its made is really special, and I love having a clean studio space (briefly!), and just welcoming people in. It was lovely to hear how much the visitors appreciated what a special place it is and many enjoyed seeing the garden and chickens too.

Next Event is Art In The Park 2nd & 3rd August 2025

https://www.artinpark.co.uk

This is the best art festival of the year. Its free, held in the beautiful Jephson Gardens Park in Royal Leamington Park where there is an abundance of local creatives, be it visual artists (200) in many mediums, musicians playing live music throughout the whole weekend, theatre and dance, free workshops and some delicious food and drink vendors. What is there not to like? ….. rain, high winds. Hopefully it will be ‘just right’ weather.

I am taking part with Leamington Studio Artists, my local art group and I will be in a marquee with 5 other visual artists, each with our own individual stand. I will be taking a mix of my paintings, prints and porcelain art.

If you are around do pop by and say hello! Jephson Park

A brief post to say hello and catch up on some plans I have for the year ahead.

At the beginning of 2025 I just spent time indulging in painting and enjoying every minute of it. This came to a brief pause a few weeks ago when preparing for the Spark Lite event and I had to switch brain function from creative mode to hyper organised and planning mode. Spark Lite was good to be part of and meeting other creatives whilst showcasing my new work in person.

Now I am back in the studio painting, thinking about my next exhibition that will be in Banbury Museum mid April time. Banbury is a special place as its my home town so I really appreciate having the opportunity to exhibit there.

Then in July I have signed up for Warwickshire Open Studio’s, I have participated a number of times since 2009 and its great to have the opportunity to set up my studio for visitors over 3 weekends. More on that soon.

So a busy first half of the year planned. I can’t wait to get in the studio making for these events and sharing my journey here and on social media.

“In order to do something well we must first be willing to do it badly” Julia Cameron, The Artists Way
This is so true, no-one ever picks up a paintbrush and can paint, or sits at a potter wheel and can master making a pot. Practice, practice and a bit more practice is needed to master skills. Experts are not created overnight.