As the year concludes, I pause to reflect on my artistic journey over the past twelve months. This article functions as a pragmatic review, providing a month-by-month breakdown of the pieces I've crafted throughout the year. It delves into the highs and lows encountered in the creative process, providing a candid look at the development of my artistry across the seasons. Additionally, it offers insight into the practical challenges of managing a creative workload, exploring the balance between ambition and feasibility.

January:

The year kicked off on a challenging note. I began with an underpainting but swiftly set it aside, lacking any sense of inspiration.

February:

February marked a more productive phase, initiating my daily self-portrait series as a strategy to compel myself to unwind and re-enter the creative flow.

March:

In March, the daily self-portrait series persisted, with the addition of a vibrant collaborative piece. The month also witnessed the successful opening night of the "Memoirs of the Self" exhibition, featuring works from myself and two other artists, overcoming challenges in the lead-up.

Additionally, March marked the commencement of my largest ongoing piece to date.

April:

April experienced another dip in creativity as I concentrated on gradually constructing the underpainting for the most extensive piece I had ever tackled, a task that loomed over me as an intimidating challenge.

May:

May witnessed the lowest productivity, with a deluge of events and the responsibilities of hosting consuming the majority of my energy and attention, consequently leaving my art practice neglected.

June:

June involved revisiting the large piece, gradually increasing productivity, and attempting to cope with the slow process without succumbing to frustration. Looking back, I wish I could have advised myself to start more than one project at a time…

July:

July maintained a similar energy, persisting with the same large piece, and seemingly not having learned the lesson to initiate anything new in terms of painting projects. However, not all was lost, as I did embark on my weekly articles every Friday!

August:

Finally, in August, I initiated some new work, beginning with portrait studies—specifically, dedicating time to small 1-2 hour studies.

September:

September unfolded at a slower pace, marked by the completion of only two additional paintings aside from the ongoing large project, which, notably, received its first application of colour.

October:

Similar to September, October witnessed the completion of two additional portraits, and the large piece continued to evolve with the infusion of more colour.

November:

In November, I introduced a new project—a monthly piece where each subsequent reference involved painting directly on top of the previous month's work. Simultaneously, I engaged in a few other smaller studies. This period also signaled the commencement of a clandestine venture: painting my father's Christmas present. Shh, it's a secret!

December:

Reflecting on the body of work accomplished this year has been an interesting journey. Honestly, there were moments when I felt I could have pushed myself further, delved into more experiments. It's apparent that I often fall short in the realm of sketching and exploring "unrefined" pieces. Looking ahead, I aim to alter this pattern in the coming year.

As I anticipate the changes in my practice for the upcoming year, a significant shift is on the horizon—I will be graduating from my bachelor's degree in fine art and stepping into the next chapter: pursuing a master's degree in art conservation (easel paintings). The year ahead holds both nerves and excitement as I contemplate what it will bring for my personal artistic journey and my brand.

Here's to the unknowns of the future—wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

2023: A Year in Review