2025 -A Year of Growth, Gratitude, and New Beginnings
As 2025 comes to a close, I’ve been sitting with a deep sense of gratitude. This year held so many layers -exciting milestones, quiet challenges, big changes, and moments of pause that shaped me both as an artist and as a person.
It wasn’t a year of rushing forward.
It was a year of becoming.
Gratitude for the Journey
More than anything, I feel thankful. Thankful for the opportunities that trusted me with teaching, creating, and sharing my work. Thankful for the students who showed up with curiosity and courage. Thankful for the messages, emails, and quiet encouragement that reminded me I wasn’t creating in isolation.
Every time someone picked up a brush alongside me, whether in a workshop, a class, or a video — it reaffirmed why I do this work.
A Year Full of Teaching
2025 was filled with teaching in ways I hadn’t fully imagined before. From live workshops to online classes, from digital painting in Procreate to traditional watercolor, teaching became a central part of my practice. Each session reminded me that learning doesn’t have to be perfect or polished — it just has to be honest.
Teaching also taught me patience, clarity, and how to slow down and explain what often becomes instinct over time. It strengthened my own foundation as an artist more than I expected.
Challenges That Shaped Me
This year wasn’t without its challenges. Navigating uncertainty, balancing creative energy with responsibility, and learning how to manage growth without burnout were all part of the process. Some days felt productive and inspired; others felt heavy and unclear.
But those quieter moments, the ones where nothing seemed to move forward - ended up being just as important. They pushed me to reflect, realign, and choose what truly mattered.
New Country, New Perspective
One of the biggest changes this year was moving to a new country. We just completed 1 year in Canada, and I cannot explain how much grateful I am for this part of my life. Starting fresh in a new place brought both excitement and discomfort. It meant learning new systems, adjusting to a different pace of life, and rebuilding routines from scratch. But it also offered new perspectives — new light, new environments, and a renewed appreciation for stability and home. But I think Canada is the most welcoming place out of all the places I have been to so far. It feels like home already :)
Milestones I’ll Always Hold Close
Among all the changes, 2025 also brought milestones that I’ll always cherish. One of the most meaningful was beginning my first book project. What started as an idea slowly turned into sketches, notes, drafts, and a deeper sense of purpose. It’s still a work in progress, but just starting that journey felt like crossing an invisible threshold I’d been standing at for years.
It reminded me that some dreams don’t arrive suddenly — they unfold slowly, when you’re ready to hold them.
✨ New Milestone: My Exhibition at First Arts Ontario
One of the most meaningful moments as I close out 2025 is having my work exhibited at First Arts Ontario.
Seeing my painting displayed in a gallery setting and knowing the exhibition continues until January 17 — feels like a beautiful bridge between the year that’s ending and the one just beginning. It’s a quiet but powerful reminder of how far this journey has come, and how important it is to pause and acknowledge these moments.
This exhibition holds a special place in my heart. It represents not just finished pieces on a wall, but years of practice, learning, uncertainty, and trust in the process. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and for everyone who has supported my work along the way.
If you’re in the area and have a chance to visit before January 17, I’d love for you to experience it in person.
Looking Ahead
As I step into the new year, my intentions feel simple and grounded.
I want to continue creating thoughtfully.
I want to teach with care and clarity.
I want to make space for projects that take time.
Most of all, I want to stay connected — to my work, to my students, and to this community that makes everything feel meaningful.
Thank You for Being Here
If you’ve followed my journey this year, wether through classes, workshops, projects, emails, or quiet observation — thank you. Your presence matters more than you know.
Here’s to a new year filled with gentle progress, creative honesty, and moments worth savoring.
