2025: Year in Review
Octavia SpriggsThis year, I made an effort to make art a sustainable part of my everyday life. I have a full-time job as a designer, and family and friends that I want to spend time with. Before I had my son, I burnt out spending entire weekends painting (it’s not necessary!) and spreading myself thin preparing for markets.
I found that I am able to paint in the margins—during nap times or for a few hours in the morning or evenings. Those small chunks of time helped me stay productive and creative.
I revisited the more technical side of my art business too: my email system, branding, photography, my website, writing, SEO with Google Search Console, etc. which has been on autopilot since 2021. It’s been nice to approach these things from a place where I’m not rushing to get something out the door. I even learned something completely new: how to sublimate with a heat press (the process for making the Christmas ornaments). Honestly, I do kind of love all the different problem solving that comes with this business.
I explored harmonious color palettes and color combinations. I want to build up my art library and learn more about watercolor as a medium in general. Even though I went to art school and studied oil painting, I am mostly self-taught as a watercolorist.
These books changed the way I set up my palette and helped me better understand my pigments. They also gave great tips on composition, value, and creating areas of focus in a painting:
I’m eternally grateful to be able to paint subjects that I value in the natural world, to share my interpretation with you all, and to have it resonate. I love that my son (who is turning 4 this month!) is a great little helper when we make prints. He says he wants to spend his earnings on a dump truck full of dirt.
December In the Shop...
My new Language of Herbs cards and prints are now available. You can frame the 5” x 7” cards as beautiful mini prints. I love how the Herb Garden Sampler print turned out. We framed one to hang in my kitchen. I also made a handful of extra Christmas ornaments that are now live until they're gone. Thank you for all of your orders this season!
Please note that the last day to place an order for arrival by Christmas is December 16, 2025.
In the Studio...
I cleaned and organized my studio space so I’m ready to create in the new year. I stocked up on brushes and set up some new half-pan palettes to experiment with quick sketches.
I’m feeling most inspired to do a series of a New River Gorge National Park paintings. I want to create some landscape notecards and new location-based stickers. I’m also into the concept of sparkly stickers of butterflies (Monarchs, Swallowtails, etc.). As I plan for 2026, I would love to know if you have ideas for things you'd like to see.
Happy Holidays and best wishes for the New Year.
-Octavia