Hello and Happy New Year to you all!

After a wonderful break over Christmas, I’ve hit the ground running! January has been non stop so far, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Last week I spent 4 days down in Devon, along with my good friend Jen, at the Giving and Living trade fair. This was my first trade event, focused on retail stockists. It was a fabulous opportunity to make sales, capture leads, take a look at the competition and to boost my visibility. I secured some more fabulous new stockists in Devon and Cornwall, who will now be selling my cards and I had some wonderful chats with other potential suppliers. Every new stockist is ever so exciting and I sometimes have to pinch myself when I think of my artwork being displayed and sold in shops all around the coast!

Whilst in Devon, and seeing as the trade fair was so close, I jumped at the chance to walk on Exmouth beach each morning, capturing 2 absolutely spectacular sunrises. As you can imagine, I’m itching to paint them onto canvas in thick buttery oils! They’ve been added to my never ending photo album of inspiration. January really has been amazing in terms of its sunsets ands sunrises.

After a whirlwind of a time at the fair, I’m back home now, but already counting down the days until I’m by the sea again. At the end of January I’ll be travelling down to Marazion in Cornwall to paint for a week and I’m so hopeful that I have some bright days to capture. Lucky, lucky me :)

Since the beginning of January, after we had a flurry of snow, I’ve been working on a little acrylic piece called ‘Winter’s Quiet Glow’ which was inspired by my early morning dog walks. I want to capture the hazy light and the feeling of ‘cold’. My current focus is on the trees in the foreground- I need to soften them and add the snow that dusts the branches. Watch this space! It’s not often that I paint winter scenes and my last one (A Cotswold Winter) sold after it’s first exhibition, so I’m excited to see who snaps this one up.

**‘Winter’s Quiet Glow’- Work in progress**

A big thank you to everyone who ordered pet portraits for Christmas- They are such a wonderful present and I love painting them. I also love hearing from happy customers when they receive them as gifts. In 2025, all new commission orders will be offered the chance to have their portrait turned into additional greeting cards- Fun! My commission book for 2025 is now open so do get in touch.

I’ve popped 2 new card designs on the website which are now available to buy- ‘Cornish Glow’ and ‘Sun Shimmer’ They are A6 in size and come with a brown recyclable envelope and biodegradable/compostable sleeve. As with all my cards, they are reprinted on recycled, premium matte 360 gsm paper with a smooth, uncoated front & silky back.

I also have some brand new puzzles (take a look) available, showcasing my artwork. Designed with the environment in mind using natural materials, these 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzles are made from 100% recycled cardboard and UV inks. They were very popular at Christmas and I’ve loved receiving photos from customers shoves completed them.

So, what’s my focus for the rest of January? Increasing my greeting card and art print range using originals I haven’t had a chance to scan yet, finish ‘Winter’s Quiet Glow’ and prepare for my first craft market of 2025 ( Saturday 15th February- Cirencester Corn Hall)- Ambitious? Yes!

Thanks for following my journey :)

Charlotte

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January 2025

February ‘25

December