january journal.
Heading into the new year I decided to bring back the monthly journal series that I used to do (many many years ago). And, well, nothing quite says ‘what a good start’ like posting my January Journal on the third week of February … oops 🙃. (To give some context, I actually did write this at the end of January, hence why it sounds like it was written at the end of Jan). Okay. Enough chit chat, here it is:
As the first month of 2023 comes to an end, I’ve been thinking a lot about my old monthly recaps I used to do here on my Journal. It was one of my favourite things do to, and I found it a good excuse to pause, reflect, and refocus, and it’s something I’m missing a lot.
I think this longing of returning to the Journal has occurred as I’ve become increasingly less interested in playing the snakes and ladders game of social media - a game where no amount of preparation, care, or consideration will increase your chances of avoiding the long slippery slide all the way back down to the start. I’m tired, too tired to even climb up the ladders when they rarely appear. Instead I want to hold my own space and set my own rules, and what better place to do it then on my own internet home.
So grab some water, take a deep breath, and let‘a chat about the month of January.
Doing:
As I mentioned in my last post, January is normally a rough time for my mental health, so I always consciously make an effort to go slow and spend time doings that make me happy.
One big thing that makes me happy is books, and lucky for me the Lifeline Bookfest (a secondhand book fair) was on! I went and got a HUGE stack of old art, photography, and gardening books. There was so much to choose from, and I think I ended up with about 16 books for under $50!
Making:
I’ve been lucky enough to have a few projects on this month, both work-related and personal projects. One of the things that went live this month was a collaboration with A’kin Australia, a natural skincare line.
Working with A’kin is definitely a pinch-me moment, as partnering with sustainable and ‘doing-good’ brands is something that has always been a core part of my business. I had so much fun shooting for them, and you can expect more coming soon! And the flowers I used in the shoot were from my garden, which made it even more special to me!
I also did a fun little collage this month which I had SO much fun making! I used images from the old books I got at the book fair as well as some pressed flowers I had from a few months ago.
I’ve been really loving getting crafty lately and using tools like scissors and glue. It has a comforting nostalgia to it, and it makes me feel like I’m in primary school art class. There is also this feeling of scissors and glue being a ‘messy’ activity, which sort of lessens the pressure to have a perfect outcome.
A recent collage
Consuming:
A new favourite artist: I recently discovered the New Zealand Artist Kushana Bush, who paints these incredibly detailed chaotic scenes of olden day life. They are filled with colour and patterns that together from a kind of visual novel, with each inch of the canvas telling new chapter of stories. I found this interview with Melissa Keys especially inspiring, and have already started to implement some of her ways of creating.
All about mood boards: An essential part of every creative process but is also a part that we don’t necessarily get ‘taught’. I loved this video by Nate Brown, a Creative Director who shows the difference between a collection of curated images and a mood board.
Another good video in relation to mood boards is this one by Ben Giro. It’s about the legendary Vince Aletti, an image curator who’s New York apartment is a creative wonderland.
My current favourite YouTube channel: I’ve been getting back into watching Youtube as I try to distance myself from doom-scrolling on TikTok and a channel I’ve recently found is Sunny Kabocha. She’s an art student and does art school vlogs that are just so creatively fulfilling. https://www.youtube.com/@sunnykabocha
That’s all this month! I really hope you enjoyed spending some time with me and I truely appreciate your support! I’d love to hear about what you’ve being doing, making, consuming (or any other -ing) in the comments!
If you want to keep up with my everyday, you can find me on Instagram ❋
Love always,
Britt x