It’s just 4 sleeps before Christmas, and I have just glazed my final painting, leaving me with enough time to write to you before glazing the Christmas turkey!

In February this year, I jumped into my new life as a visual artist, I set myself a personal goal to complete 1 painting per week. Having now completed 48 paintings and given that I began in February (and not spending too much time on the maths) I have achieved my goal! I experimented in oil, acrylic, impasto and collage paintings and created 2 collections - INDIGO DREAMS and BLUSHIOUS, with one more large work to go.

I embraced sharing my work on social media and took both my IG and FB accounts from 0 to over 340 and 380 followers respectively, with more new artists and art collecting friends following each day (you could say, I increased my following by 350% - LOL). I partnered with LEFTBANK. art group to create a series of different sized framed INDIGO DREAMS prints, and my most recent BLUSHIOUS series has received the highest praise and strongest instagram and facebook engagement so far - a great way to finish off the year!

As many of you know, as well as having the precious creative pleasure to paint all year round, I have had the privilege to look after my precious little grand-daughter Clémentine. While she can’t help me paint yet, her presence is so positive and joyful, she’d help anyone become a better artist. We were also gifted by the arrival of our first grandson - Zander, he’s just 6 weeks old and cherub cute! By the end of the year, we will have 3 grandchildren, with our oldest daughter Claudia expecting a little girl on December 29. So much inspiration and so many painting helpers for next year!

I am so grateful to my collectors, your support has really buoyed me on. You may have just wanted a painting on your wall, but your engagement and support has been extraordinarily precious, it really means so much to me! Thank you also to everyone who has cheered my on on instagram and facebook, your daily encouragement keeps me connected to a wide and diverse friendship group, and thanks to the community of artists that I follow, your talent is both daunting and provocative and inspires me to jump even higher! Finally, thank you to my husband Andrew who has been my biggest supporter, who never complains when paintings spill beyond my studio into other rooms of our house, it’s been a great year for us both. Below are some of the works that sold this year, I am so proud to have my work hanging on your walls.

As I plan my next series of works for 2022, I’d love to know which of the two recent series you prefer the most (INDIGO DREAMS or BLUSHIOUS), or if there was another favourite painting from 2021, that you’d like to see more of - if you have a moment to jot me a line @ julielynchdesign@gmail.com I would really appreciate it!

In the meantime wishing you a bright, safe and happy holiday season and many precious creative times ahead!

Julie x