Happy January, Reader!
Before we settle in, a quick little update. Studio Sessions is shifting to a seasonal rhythm for 2026. Fewer emails, more intention. Slower check-ins that leave room for reflection, reset, and whatever season we’re actually in. I’m really excited about this change and I hope it feels good on your end, too.
This month also marks the start of my fifth year of writing these newsletters, which honestly feels a little surreal. What started as a simple way to share studio updates has grown into something I really look forward to writing. Thank you for being here, whether you’ve been reading since the early days or you’re new around here. It truly means a lot.
I hope the new year has started gently for you, with a few quiet moments and something warm to drink within reach.
Winter has always felt like an inhale to me. A pause. A soft reset. So this first Studio Sessions of the year feels like the right place to look back, take stock, and ease into what’s next.
Studio Life
The last couple of weeks were intentionally quiet around here. I took time off from both my day job and my creative work, stepped away from my iPad, and let myself rest without feeling guilty about it.
There was a bit of light planning in the background, but mostly this time was about space. Less screen time, fewer expectations, and giving my brain a chance to reset before the year really begins.
As 2026 gets going, I’ve already received a handful of new art calls from some of my licensing partners. Nothing rushed, just ideas starting to stretch and take shape. It feels like a calm, steady way to begin the year, which is exactly the pace I’m hoping to keep this quarter.
That slower start gave me the space to reflect on what last year actually looked like.
What 2025 Taught Me
Looking back, 2025 was a year where much of the work happened behind the scenes. I felt creatively lost at times. Not completely stuck, but stretched thin. I spent more energy refining my systems, rebuilding my portfolio, reworking my website, and getting clearer about my direction, instead of just creating art for the sake of it.
One thing that helped me regain a bit of perspective was looking back at the work itself. I pulled together eight illustrations from my portfolio that I created in 2025, and seeing them side by side was surprisingly grounding.
Some of these were slow, stubborn pieces that took more out of me than expected. Others came together more easily. A few pushed my colour choices, some leaned harder into hand-lettering, and others helped me clarify the kind of storytelling I want to continue exploring. Together, they feel like a snapshot of a year where I was quietly figuring things out, even when it didn’t feel like progress day to day.
They’re not perfect, but they feel honest. And that feels like a win.
I also invested in myself in a few different ways, and those experiences were mixed.
Early in the year, I booked a one-on-one coaching call, hoping for clarity and momentum. It wasn’t bad, but it didn’t quite land, and I walked away feeling a little flatter than expected. Later on, I invested in a portfolio review with someone who’s been licensing their art for a long time. The feedback itself was genuinely helpful, but it also kicked off a spiral of creative self-doubt that took time to work through.
That part was tough. Necessary, maybe, but tough.
The last big investment I made in 2025 was joining Art Hustle Insider in October. That one feels different. It hasn’t magically fixed anything overnight, but it’s given me structure, perspective, and a clearer understanding of what consistency actually looks like in this industry. I’m realistic about it too. I know that time, repetition, and showing up month after month is the only way anything meaningful will come from it.
By the numbers, my creative business still makes up a small slice of my overall income, about 6%, with my day job covering the rest. But within that, something important happened. I doubled my licensing income again this year. It’s not much in the grand scheme of things, but the fact that my art continues to earn anything at all still feels pretty incredible to me.
Even more telling, 90% of my creative income now comes from licensing, up from 63% the year before. Less experimenting, more focus. Most of that income landed in the second half of the year, which is very on brand for licensing timelines and a good reminder that this kind of work rewards patience far more than speed.
Going into 2026, my goals are intentionally simple, and they matter because they support the life I’m trying to build, not just the business. I’m focusing on creating stronger, more cohesive portfolio work, showing up consistently with pitching and submissions, and building systems that make this sustainable alongside a full-time job.
I’m not chasing constant growth or trying to overhaul everything at once. I’m working with fewer, more focused goals, revisited quarterly, that support each other in a steady cycle.
My word for the year is steady.
For me, steady means choosing progress I can sustain. Trusting that small, consistent steps count, even when they don’t feel dramatic. After a year of questioning my direction more than once, steady feels like an anchor. Something to return to when things feel noisy or uncertain.
At the end of the day, all of the structure, systems, and goals are there to support what matters most to me. Showing up for my work with curiosity and care, and making art that feels like me, meant for real products, real people, and a creative life that actually feels livable.
Interesting finds
Etsy Announces Its 2026 Color of the Year — Plus the First-Ever Texture of the Year
This was a fun one to skim. I loved seeing how Etsy is thinking about colour and texture for 2026, especially through the lens of real, everyday products.
|
WGSN | Coloro - Colour of the Year 2026
A more zoomed-out look at where things might be heading next. I like dipping into pieces like this when I want to think about mood, colour, and storytelling beyond my own bubble.
|
Pinterest Predicts 2026
This one sent me down a very enjoyable visual rabbit hole. Dramatic, expressive, and full of rich colour and mood, fun trends to think about, even if you only borrow tiny bits of the energy.
|
Cat Coquillette's 2026 Trends Report
One of my favourite places for trend insights that don’t feel overwhelming. Visual, thoughtful, and very easy to get inspired without falling down a rabbit hole.
|
This season's question... |
|
As you move into this new year, where are you craving a steadier pace, creatively or in life right now?
If you feel like sharing, just hit reply. I’d love to hear what this season looks like for you.
|
Thanks for spending a little time here with me. I hope this winter gives you the space to slow down, listen a little closer, and reconnect with whatever makes your work feel meaningful.
Here’s to gentle starts, steady progress, and building things in a way that leaves room to breathe.
Thanks so much for hanging out with me today. It always means the world that you’re here.
Until next time, stay inspired and keep creating!
