Welcoming a New Year of Creativity

Coming up with new ideas and finding inspiration for fresh work can sometimes feel like an uphill struggle. Creativity isn't something you can switch on at will, and yet with the arrival of a new year there's often an unspoken expectation to bring something different.

As 2026 begins, I've found myself reflecting on the work I created last year and where I want my creative journey to go next. In 2025, I made a number of tree pieces and I began to wonder whether this was something I could explore further rather than leave behind.

Instead of revisiting swaying branches or autumn-themed trees, I felt drawn in a new direction. Cherry blossom became my focus - light, softer and full of quite optimism. By introducing these trees I'm bringing a sense of summer into my range, experimenting with colour, mood and the feeling of renewal that blossoms naturally carry.

Alongside this, I've also started creating birds - specifically a mother and her baby. These pieces are simple but full of meaning exploring connection, care and tenderness. They feel like a natural extension of my work and a reflection of themes I'm increasingly drawn to.

When creating, there's always a balance to strike. Of course, it's important to make work that people want to buy. But it's equally important to embrace your creativity and stay true to it. Turning work out simply for the sake of producing something can drain the joy from the process. Unless you're a well-established business with proven, highly saleable products and a guaranteed market, there very little reward in that approach.

For me 2026 is about exploration rather than pressure-allowing ideas to evolve, following what feels right creatively and trusting that authenticity will always resonate more deeply than anything forced. I'm excited to see where this year leads and how these new ideas continue to grow,

Thank you for reading and sharing this moment of reflection with me. Please explore my website to see my current work and follow along as new pieces are added throughout the year.

Donna