With Christmas just around the corner, I’ve been taking a moment to pause, reflect, and look back on what has been one of the most meaningful years of my creative journey so far.
Well, what can I say? 2025 truly was a huge personal and professional milestone for me! It was my first year stepping into illustration as my full-time gig after maternity leave.
Exciting? Yes. Terrifying? Also yes. Balancing motherhood with creativity, self-doubt, and the leap into running my art business full-time felt like a lot at times. Choosing to commit fully to my art wasn’t a decision I took lightly, especially now with a family to support. I decided it was time to take the risk, I just had to believe in myself.
What I didn’t anticipate was how deeply supported I would feel by all the amazing people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with over the last 12 months. Every idea, project, commission, not to mention kind words from my friends, family and followers helped turn those nerves into confidence and reminded me why I love what I do.
I also hadn’t really considered the incredibly varied work that would come my way! From personal commissions – house portraits, pet and family portraits, personalised Christmas cards and tide clocks – to live event drawing, window painting, sign writing, teaching aspiring artists both young and old, and illustrating a for number of projects, I could not have asked for a more diverse and interesting list of creative pursuits.
My clients this year have been a joy to work alongside to help bring their ideas to life, with big thanks to Visit Jersey and Jersey Heritage, the National Trust for Jersey, Autism Jersey, and St George’s Preparatory School, just to name a few. Thank you for trusting me with your ideas and your stories, and allowing me to keep creating, growing, and doing the work I truly love.
Also a huge thank you to everyone who reached out to commission me this year, it’s so special to know I’ve created a piece of art especially for you, your friends or family to help immortalise personal memories.
And to everyone who follows, comments, shares, or quietly supports my work, please know it all matters more than you might realise. I’m so grateful for my little community and your support means the world to me.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As I head into 2026, I’m feeling excited, inspired, and ready to build on everything this year has taught me. I’m looking forward to more storytelling through illustration, new creative projects, collaborations, workshops, and some new ideas that are already taking shape behind the scenes.
Thank you for being part of this chapter of my journey. I can’t wait to see what the next one brings.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
Jamie x
Drawn by Jamie 