A Year of Creative Growth in the Studio
Every year leaves its mark on the studio, but this one arrived determined to change everything. From a complete reset and fearless floral painting to bold abstract explorations, commissions, and magazine recognition, this year unfolded as a powerful reminder of what happens when you keep saying yes to growth. This is a story of colour, risk, and learning to follow the work where it wanted to go.
January
The year began with an unexpected, total reset. My computer crashed completely, taking with it years and years of work. Art, writing, doodles, painting archives, all gone. It was devastating, but it became a powerful lesson in acceptance and letting go.
Staring at a completely blank slate gave me the rare opportunity to begin again without baggage or expectations.
This year, I decided, I was going to give myself flowers.
 Early stage flowers |
 'Gloria' in progress |
Februrary
As I spent the winter tucked away in my imagined garden (so much more enjoyable than shovelling snow!) February became about focus and finishing. I brought the first part of my 'Freshly Picked' collection across the finish line, refining and making final decisions to prepare the work for launch.
And while there was a flicker of nerves in sharing something entirely new, it was also exciting. These paintings marked the beginning of a new floral chapter, and as I wrapped them up I knew the journey with flowers was only just getting started.
So I kept painting petals, letting curiosity lead the way.
 'Ophelia' |
March
More winter, more flowers! I began work on the second half of the 'Freshly Picked' collection letting the work unfold intuitively.
As the series developed, I felt myself reaching further, taking bigger risks with colour, loosening my brushstrokes, and trusting bolder decisions that planted the seeds for what would eventually bloom later in the spring.
 |
 |
April
I got wild. April was pure creative surrender. Honestly, I don’t know where it came from but over the Easter weekend a powerful swoosh of colour and an urgent, all-consuming idea of something thrilling and new from my ‘garden’ filled the studio. I surrendered into the process and after weeks of work, came out the other side with the beautiful ‘Wildthing’ collection.
Massively colourful, loose and bold it was completely transformative for my approach to floral painting. This series changed everything and there is no going back.
 The first wild brushstrokes. |
 Making progress with 'Wildthing' |
May
Still completely consumed by with wild new flower paintings, May overflowed with colour. Spring unfolding around me also sparked the core idea for a new abstract collection. I found myself working on florals and abstracts simultaneously, all month long. Double the energy, double the joy. Truly one of my favourite months in the studio!
 Brushstrokes close up |
 'Tallulah' and her abstract inspiration |
June
June brought a very exciting milestone. I was featured in the June/July issue of Artists & Illustrators magazine, with a look inside my creative journey, what inspires my work, and a selection of favourite paintings.
Seeing my studio practice and paintings reflected through someone else’s eyes felt both surreal and deeply affirming, a lovely pause to take stock of how far my work has travelled this year.
 |
 |
July
Summer always invites colour, and this year was no exception. Building on the confidence I gained from last year’s Pieces of Me project, I dove deeper into expressing what truly fuels my work. From materials and emotion to the beautiful mess in between, July was full of play, experimentation, and joyful blobs of colour in every direction.
 Summer colour blobs |
 'Merrymint' (commission) |
August
August’s quieter pace gave me lots of breathing room to focus on commissions (always a creative challenge). After some agonising creative moments, I’m happy to say that all turned out beautifully!
The lightness and brightness I feel with the summer sun on my face can are always reflected in the generous colour and fluid brushstrokes found in my work at this time of year. And while my abstract paintings may not be universally understood, staying connected to this part of my imagination and keeping creative flame alight is absolutely key to it all. All this time lost in my imagination was the best ‘vacation’ I could possibly take.
 Sketching, playing & ideas |
 Final sketch and the finished painting! |
September
September arrived at full speed with launch of the Wildthing collection, and what a moment it was! Nearly every painting found a home on the very first day. Knowing that this bold, intuitive work connected so deeply with collectors was incredibly gratifying and affirming.
 |
 |
October
Always a crazy month and this year no different with the launch of the ‘Smitten’ collection and the unleashing of work that is taking EVERYTHING to the next level. The paint was barely dry and the idea for the next series had already arrived (stay tune – coming next spring!).
 'Honeymoon' final touch ups
|
 My love letter to colour
|
November
In November, tentatively dipping my imagination back into landscapes had me feeling like a complete beginner all over again. With everything I learned this year, I began searching for my place within the land and connected to my expansive skies again. The direction isn’t fully clear yet, but the need to explore is undeniable. Lots of great starts but only a beautiful few have made it across the finish line so far. The goal is a full new collection for February. Wish me luck!
 |
 |
December
Winter hit early and hit hard here which can only mean, so did. End-of-year holiday play has begun! ( lots of hand-painted cards and bookmarks and little doodle paintings – I gift friends colour every year whether they like it or not).
And finally, my annual Susybee illustration project has been confirmed so while you’re eating turkey and feeling festive, I’ll be spending the rest of the year quietly, happily painting duckies!
 |
 |
As this year comes to a close, my work continues to evolve in the studio. If you’d like to follow along, you can join my email list for studio updates and early peeks at new work, or follow me on Instagram for everyday moments from the studio. I’d love to have you there.
