I Light a Sparkler – Looking Ahead to 2021

Today is the first day of 365 new days.

A dear friend once gave me a small sign with these words, and I have kept it ever since. I love the thought behind them — the reminder that a new year opens a door to new possibilities, new experiences and perhaps even a few unexpected adventures.

So I light a sparkler and welcome 2021 with hope — for love, good health, friendship and brighter days ahead.

At the beginning of this new year, the world still feels uncertain. Perhaps that is also why creating, imagining and looking forward have become more important than ever.

A new year has always felt a little like a blank canvas to me — a moment to look ahead, make new plans and leave room for the unexpected.

For me, 2021 will be about exploring new directions in my art.

Several new oil paintings and watercolours are waiting to be introduced, including works completed towards the end of 2020. I have also begun working on a completely new series of large-scale oil paintings, exploring both new motifs and techniques.

It feels exciting to step into unfamiliar territory and see where the process leads.

My digital presence will also become an increasingly important way of sharing this journey — new works, exhibitions, ideas and glimpses into the creative process.

And then there is Paris.

One of my dreams is to one day create an exhibition there. I imagine renting a large car, filling it with a carefully selected collection of paintings and driving south towards France.

For now, it remains a dream and something beautiful to look forward to.

Perhaps that is what the little sparkler represents for me as I step into 2021 — light, possibility and the excitement of not quite knowing what lies ahead.

A new year. A new canvas. And 365 new days waiting to unfold.

À bientôt! ❤️