I made a lot of art in 2025.

Forty paintings of exhibition quality, and many more created as exercises in play and exploration.

Reflecting on this, three things stand out as having made me a stronger artist.

First, volume loosened my grip. Working repeatedly — often under the pressure of deadlines — I learned to let go of overthinking and to work from the heart. The results feel freer and more alive, expressing a sense of openness that is difficult to achieve when I try to control every move.

Second, my artistic voice has grown clearer and more confident. Making a large body of work stripped away what wasn’t essential. I became more aware of my likes and dislikes and began to make better choices. The marks, colours, and forms that surface naturally now feel unmistakably mine — distinctive and recognisable.

Finally, because my art is deeply spiritual, and because I believe art mirrors life, the practice has deepened my self-awareness. Through long hours of silence — pondering each painting and allowing it to speak — I come to know myself better: what matters to me, and how I want my life to unfold.

Taken together, this has been a tremendous gift: a season of pleasant surprises, genuine breakthroughs, and the pure joy of being a creative.