Finding the Joy in the In-Between

This time of year always pulls me inward. The air feels charged, everyone seems to be rushing toward some invisible finish line, and yet… when I stop long enough to actually feel into the moment, I realise I don’t have anywhere urgent to be. I’ve simply been absorbing the collective pace.

It’s been a month since I finished my latest painting collection, and I haven’t painted at all in that time. That’s unusual for me, but the truth is: I’ve needed the pause. This “almost-summer, almost-holiday” stretch brings a particular kind of energy — a reflective hum, a soft unravelling. In Australia, people slowly wind themselves down toward Christmas and the long exhale of summer break. There’s that familiar urge to squeeze the last drops of effort out of the year before we collapse, laugh, and say, “Well… that was something.”

Sitting inside this in-between space, I already know I want next year to feel different. I said yes to a lot in 2025, perhaps too much. I’m proud of so much I’ve created, but I can also see the moments where I kept moving out of habit rather than alignment. When I look back at the intentions I set a year ago, I didn’t tick off the plans I imagined, but I grew in unexpected ways. There’s a quiet satisfaction in that.

My word for 2025 was flow. I pictured something gentle, a stream drifting through a forest with speckled light playing across its surface. In reality, it felt more like a river with moods of its own: rapids, rocks, swirling eddies. But all of it taught me something about the kind of artist and person I want to be. Those lessons are shaping what comes next.

Which brings me to my word for 2026: joy.

I want more choices made because they spark something alive inside me — not because I’m afraid of missing out. I want more softness, more alignment, more leaning into what feels nourishing. Less fear, more delight.

That’s the compass I’m choosing. One joyful decision at a time.

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New Moon Rising - New Limited Edition Print

What’s Been Quietly Growing

While my brushes have been resting, a few gentle things have taken shape behind the scenes.

I've released a brand new limited edition print — one I’m deeply proud of — and I’ve also created a small set of fine art greeting cards. They feel like offerings made for this season: little pockets of beauty you can gift, post, frame, or pin somewhere you’ll see them often.

You can explore them here:

• Limited Edition Print – View here

• Fine Art Greeting Card Set – View here
  

Mini Collection - pack of 6 greetings cards

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Wherever you are in your own in-between — whether you’re humming with momentum or quietly slowing your breath — I hope the months ahead bring you more of what feels good, true, and grounding.

Here’s to choosing joy, even in the small ways 💫

Something that resonated the other day x