Digital/Combined AI Baba Yaga Hut Concept Art

Happy New Year EVERYONE

Welcome to a brand new entry and a brand new year filled with new hopes, new dreams, new plans and new goals!

I’m a bit late with the whole ‘New Years’ thing, but there are a few reasons for this - one of them being I promised myself I’d ‘ease gently’ into this current year.

I have a few ongoing health issues I’m trying to get under control and I’m really glad I spent this time nurturing myself and healing.

Other reasons, I got caught up managing additional projects, family issues and reflective ‘moods’.

I’m particularily excited fort 2024, because I have loads of new material, stories, characters, adventures and ideas to share with you and I truly can’t wait!

LOOKING BACK

Reflectively, 2023 was very busy (believe it or not and behind the scenes in particular). I did a HUGE amount of learning/self-teaching (an endless process).

I dabbled quite a bit with new technologies and various programs, designs, products, layouts, marketing and advertising, artisic styles, creative outlets, on top of some very important ‘side-projects’ relating to the restoration of our cottage and land - a journey you can also catch-up on via my Facebook or Instagram accounts (if you’d like), and a journey I plan to share more about via here aswell.

All in all, I found the learning and experiences of 2023 hugely rewarding and I’m looking foward to expanding on my skills and knowlege throughout 2024.

2023, ‘spare time’ was spent working with graphite, digital and (the very contraversial) AI, fantasy art - mediums I enjoy immensely and will continue to employ in the future.

Cindy-Lou - Mixed-media Watercolour | Coloured Pencil Art

As a ‘mixed-media’ artist, I express myself creatively through an eclectic mix of mediums, and feel my greatest joy when I express myself that way. I don’t think this is about to change any time soon. I find skipping between mediums somehow stimulates my creativity, and always has. This is both a blessing and a curse, because it can mean I have several projects on the go, (which appear half finished - as some of them are), and to an ‘outsider’, my creative ‘flow’ can seem more like a whirlwind of chaos, than anything meaningful or productive - something I’m sure many artists and creatives can relate to.

As always, ‘fantasy art’ is my ‘go-to’ preference (when it comes to art, reading AND writing); and my photography will always be related to the magical connection with nature - most preferrably the ‘micro worlds’ and the hidden worlds of Fairies, Gnomes, Pixies, Brownies, Mermaids, Imps, Elementals, Elves, Sprites, Goblins, Witches, Wizards, Dragons, Giants and all such mystical beings.

I think my family and beyond, have often viewed my creative oddities as a form of ‘escapism’, but this is far from the reality. The truth of the matter is, I have always had some kind of connection with the magical, the mysterious and the unexplained…and for some, that’s a little too hard to accept or understand (for whatever reason).

Over the years, I’ve learned that’s ‘ok’, because it’s like trying to explain to someone (who’s never seen the ocean) that’s it’s real and it exists - and now I share my experiences and my ‘oddiities’ with those who CAN understand and appreciate that there’s a lot more beyond the ‘veil’, than our tiny human minds can ever comprehend.

Magic is and always will be, a part of my life and creative expression!

2023 Highs & Lows

The entire duration of 2022-2023 was probably one of the hardest periods of my life, both physically and emotionally.

Every aspect of my life felt like it was out of control or in ‘overload’.

I guess it makes sense for imbalance to manifest in such a way, especially if ones ‘physical body’ is out of whack/balance, (I’m sure many of you understand exactly what I mean), but I truly wasn’t prepared for any of it.

There seemed to be a ‘butterfly’ effect for every issue, and I felt like I was drowning…alone in an inky-black ocean of saddness, fear, self-loathing, insecurities and goodness knows what else.

The Journey

Speaking of ‘alone’, one of the biggest experiences I’ve had since beginning this journey, IS loneliness - something I literally didn’t expect (given my large and loving family).

I simply wasn’t prepared for the roller-coaster of emotions that go with the various experiences as a wife, aunt, sister, mother, grandmother, artist, writer, photographer AND someone solo-building their own business, all while unknowingly entering the unspoken realm of Menopause.

I was not prepared for the heart-wrenching sense of isolation AT ALL.

For all the love and words (expressed as family ‘support’), I felt incredibly alone with the work-load, ideas and dreams - issues many will argue that only I could resolve (which is true…these projects were/ARE mine), but as a primary carer, giver nurturer, matriach…it just would have been nice to have had some help from time to time with things like SEOs, marketing, uploads…A HUG! Someone to say .. you’ve got this….you’re doing amazing….keep up the good work, but there was nothing - just a wall of silence.

The exceptional hard work and burden of living life and bringing everything to life on my own, was certainly almost too much.

~

In closing

Despite the overwhelming tears, doubts and fears, there was a comforting and gentle presence, guiding me, teaching me - giving me strength and understanding ‘This IS ‘my’ journey after all’. No one else can see the the creative images in my mind, nor the visions I have for future projects and so on. No one else can bring them to life…like I can; and at the end of the day I alone can claim ownership to all that hard work and take pride in it all.

…and so, with this ‘unseen’ and invisible force bestowing strength and determination at the times I felt at my weakest, saddest and most helples, my Angels, Fairies and other magical beings, lifted me up, encouraged me, inspired me…and gave me hope.

Dare To Dream

As we venture into 2024, my plans?

Well, I’m dedicating a large amount of my energy to holistic healing practices and self-care, with an absolute focus on emotional, physical and spiritual balance - all while juggling a small business, art, family, physical challenges, new projects and many other amazing adventures.

I realise this is ‘easier said, than done’, and I have quite a bit of work to do in all three areas, because I think somehow ‘lost myself’ over the years (anyone older and who has children and grandchildren will esecially understand what I mean), but self-care, is in crisis globally, and it’s important for each of us to realise (or remember), that we can’t give to anyone (aka help anyone)…from an empty cup.

Sad Immortal Fairy - Graphite work in progress.

At some point in our lives, we need to realise ‘Hang on….I don’t feel like the ‘me’ I would like to be!’. We need to realise we’ve filled so many ‘roles’ and ‘people-pleased’ away who we ‘really’ are, that we no longer actually even ‘know’ WHO we are any more - and that’s when the real adventure begins….when we truly begin to live life on our terms. We need to revert to that carefree, child-like mentality of yester-year, in the quest for a deeper understanding and acceptance of ourselves.

2024 is a year of manifesting EVERYTHING my minds-eye can envision and I dare to dream. It’s a year of mindfulness, healing, self awareness and grace.

…and so, to end

I wish each and every one of you, a safe, blessed and peaceful New Year - one filled with magic, wonder and enchantment.

Flee the mundane and embrace your inner-child - find your inner-Fairy and let the magic begin!

Until next time…

#3 Happy 2024