My 2025 Art Life Wrapped

I got my 2025 Spotify Wrapped, and it made me think about everything else that fills my days, not just what I listen to, but what I spend my time making. So this is my Art Life Wrapped for 2025.

In the middle of the year, I started my full-time artist journey, which still feels a bit strange to write. After being made redundant I took some time to reflect on what was important to me and I decided to put my energy into the thing I cared about most, making art.

To get myself started with creating art consistently I set myself a Daily Drawing Challenge for April. I completed a small square artwork every day and arranged in a calendar-style view of the month. I began by drawing mini tributes to some of my own previous artworks, then shifted into paying homage to artists who have inspired me, including Van Gogh and Frida Kahlo. From there, the series flowed into a run of animal drawings, and I finished the month with abstract representations of water, fire, wind, earth, and ether. I enjoyed creating mini works so much that it inspired me to start my Mini Art Print Club.

In June, I launched the Mini Art Print Club as a way for people to collect my work and support me as an artist, and it quickly became something really special. A couple of months later, I expanded the idea to include the Greeting Card Club and my Colour-In Club, as I wanted to offer a range of different ways for people to connect with me and my art. For these clubs I have completed a range of mini watercolour paintings mostly around the themes of nature and animals.  

In addition to the mini artworks I created I also completed a larger artwork called Guardian of Wishes it is a very personal work that I started 2024 and completed in 2025. It features a cat, and was inspired by adopting my cat Charlie and becoming more aware of the watchful, and slightly mysterious presence cats bring into a home. The paper cranes woven through the piece reference the one thousand paper cranes my family folded after my accident as wishes for my recovery, making them a symbol of hope, protection, and care. You can read more about this artwork in my blog post: Guardian of Wishes: a story created with ink and gold.

I also completed my wheelchair dance artwork this year it came about after a sort-of commission from my friend’s dance teacher and was inspired by a performance I went to see of my friend dancing with her standing dance partner. Watching them dance together really stuck with me and made me think differently about movement and dance in a wheelchair. The artwork was my way of responding to that experience and giving wheelchair dance sport the attention it deserves.

This year I also started a large scale artwork as part of my Pixel Art Project, so far I’ve completed two pieces. They are both small square panels painted with orange and blue squares in an abstract pattern, which will eventually connect together to form a larger artwork.

I started experimenting with new social media ideas by combining my painting process with audiobooks, using them as the soundtrack while I worked. It began with Pride and Prejudice playing as I painted my Pixel Art Project peices, then grew into The Curious Case of Benjamin Button while I un-painted my pelican artwork, and I just started The Wonderful Wizard of Oz accompanying me as I paint my mini turtle. It became a way to blend my love of art, and audiobooks while also exploring a different kind of viewing experience online.

I also spent time getting my work out into the world. I gave a talk and sold my art at the Sydney Disability Expo, which was both nerve-wracking and really rewarding. I took part in the Incognito Art Show, sending my work out anonymously and letting it speak for itself, and I exhibited at Firstdraft again, continuing my ongoing relationship with the gallery and supporting their mission to champion emerging artists. Next year I want to get more involved in the at community so if you have any ideas on what I should do I'd love to hear them.

This is not everything I have done in 2025, but it’s some great highlights. And of course, Charlie remained very involved in everything along the way, taking on a variety of roles, including Studio Assistant, Creative Director, Work Health and Safety Officer, and Quality Control Tester. 😂

If you supported my art journey this year by buying art, joining the Mini Art Print Club, coming to an exhibition, watching my videos/listening to audiobooks, or simply following along, thank you. It really does mean a lot.