Picking Up the Brush Again in January 2025
The start of a new year is often the perfect time to reconnect with your passions.
For me, January marks a return to creation—a moment to reinvest time and energy into what nourishes the soul: painting.
After a break, getting back to painting can feel daunting, but there are simple and effective ways to ease back into the studio with joy and ease. Here are a few ideas that help me restart my artistic practice and might inspire those of you looking to reignite your creative spark:
1. Practice with Small, Regular Exercises
Rediscovering the joy of painting starts with small, manageable exercises. This could mean quick sketches, color studies, or playing with abstract forms. These mini-sessions free up creativity without the pressure of producing a “masterpiece.” The key is regularity—even 10 or 15 minutes a day can make a difference.
2. Set Yourself a Challenge
Nothing sparks creativity like a challenge! It could be creating a series on a specific theme, exploring a limited color palette, or trying out a new technique. Setting goals, even modest ones, provides structure and momentum. For instance, I’ve challenged myself to create a small painting every day for a week, without worrying about the final outcome.
3. Play and Relax
Letting go can be difficult, but allowing yourself to play is essential. Painting without a specific purpose, experimenting with unusual materials, or simply letting your hands guide the brush without overthinking can be incredibly liberating. Creation becomes a moment of relaxation and enjoyment, rather than a task to accomplish.
4. Paint for the Sheer Joy of It
Remembering why you started painting in the first place is crucial. For me, creating is a dialogue with myself—a way to express what words cannot. Painting without expectations, simply for the joy of movement and color, helps reconnect with that pure, essential pleasure.
Looking Ahead to a Creative Year
Returning to painting is also about reconnecting with yourself and finding a space of freedom. In 2025, I’m committed to cultivating that freedom, exploring fearlessly, and savoring every moment in front of the canvas.
What about you? What are your rituals or challenges to rekindle your creative energy?
Looking forward to sharing this beautiful artistic journey with you!
Creative Tuesdays with Danielle Doucet
13 janvier 2025
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