Closing One Chapter, Opening Another: My Visual Arts Journey
As 2025 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on a milestone that has shaped both my practice and my confidence: completing the Certificate IV in Visual Arts at TasTAFE. This achievement is more than a qualification—it represents a season of growth, discovery, and transformation.
Throughout the course, I refined my skills in watercolour, sketching, and digital pattern-making, while also stepping into new creative territories that have expanded my voice as an artist.
New Skills, New Passions
Printmaking: Exploring textures, layers, and the tactile joy of ink on paper has opened up fresh possibilities for storytelling in my work.
Art Book design: A new love that combines visual composition with the intimacy of book-making, creating spaces where art and narrative meet.
Technology in art: Through digital tools and experimentation, I’ve found my voice and confidence in expressing ideas. Technology has become a bridge—helping me translate inspiration into accessible, shareable forms, and opening pathways to connect with wider audiences. (Thank you Co)
These discoveries have reminded me that art is not just about technique, but about connection: to nature, to community, and to the stories we carry. Every brushstroke, every print, every page has been a reminder that creativity is a living practice, one that evolves alongside us.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As I step into the new year, my goals are rooted in both personal growth and community impact:
Accessible creative education: Continuing to advocate for inclusive, neurodivergent-friendly spaces where everyone can explore their creativity with confidence.
Art Book projects: Developing collections that weave together visual storytelling and design, offering new ways to share ideas and experiences.
Mentorship and collaboration: Supporting young artists and fostering intergenerational learning, ensuring that creativity remains a shared, communal journey.
Personal exploration: Deepening my own practice by integrating wellbeing principles into art-making, and finding joy in the balance between teaching and creating.
Closing Thoughts
2026 feels like a year of weaving threads—bringing together education, technology, and art into something sustainable and meaningful. I step forward with gratitude for the journey so far, and excitement for the creative paths yet to unfold.