December 2025 (A big change is coming)
Hello Lovelies
It’s pouring outside and we’ve had a very wet spring! November has been a whirlwind and I’m looking forward to winding the year down.
In some ways this newsletter is sad for me to write. After many wonderful years on Squarespace, I’m moving my website and shop to a new home built specifically for artists. This all came about just three days ago and was not on my radar, but it was an opportunity I had to jump on.
What This Means for You
The new platform will allow me to offer better print options, larger images, framing previews, augmented reality views on your walls (This tool is so cool!) and a much smoother buying experience. Basically, everything will feel more professional and tailored to showing (and selling) my work at it deserves.
What’s Different
The look and feel will be more minimalist and focused on my art
The shop will have more sizes, papers and framing options
Some merch options will be available
You’ll still receive updates from me…but here’s the honest part:
The newsletters themselves will probably feel a little less “hand -written in my studio at 11pm” than they do right now. The new system is more automated (which keeps everything running smoothly as my audience continues to grow), so future emails may look a bit more polished and of course, different. Even though I’ll still be writing them they won’t have the same cozy feel that these do. I wanted to be upfront about that.
My obsession with botanical and nature inspired art is not changing, and neither is my gratitude for you. My website name will remain the same. The launch of the new site takes place in a round two weeks. Your details will be transferred to the new site. So please keep a look out for the newsletters and emails. And of course if you just wanna move on, you will able to unsubscribe.
Jo’s Gift Garden Farewell
As promised in the last newsletter, Ive created a special bundle for you to download from Jo’s Gift Garden. I’m giving you posters, greeting cards, gift tags, table place holders, and bookmarks in four colour ways. Jo’s Gift Garden will not be continuing, so please go in download everything you would like before it shuts down.
Art Show Sales
I was blessed to sell three of my original paintings at the local art show. It’s lovely to think of my flowers on somebody else’s walls, bringing them joy. I have fond memories of photographing the references in all of these paintings. So each is a little piece of me that someone has in their home.
As you can tell from the Rose with black background above, I’m continuing to explore different ways to express my love of all things beautiful. I’ve set myself a comfort zone challenge, working on 20 new paintings on cold pressed paper (not my usual hot-pressed) and dark backgrounds (also new for me) and combining watercolour with gouache. The rose is the first of 20. The idea is to complete one painting a week.
Invitation (thoughts on life and faith)
I’ll share with you that this year in July, my husband lost his job. So that’s been our challenge this year. We knew it was coming since February and as yet, he still does not have work. There are so many things out of our control and we continue to wait for breakthrough, not just in him getting a new job, but also the many delays in our payments due to company politics and court cases. (Not that we are involved in any of the court cases, but they delay our settlements and affect the outcome for us) All I can say is that if it wasn’t that I know we serve a kind God, I would be defeated. I continue to trust Him, not in a “name it, claim it, frame it” kind of way, but I know that He works all things for the greater good, even if that greater good isn’t what we think it ought to be. I have no idea what will happen; if we need to move or anything. We do what we can daily, knowing that nothing is in our control. It’s not very comfortable, but we have hope. God is good! All the time!
I’ll leave you with this:
For better morning, talk to God first.
For a better night, talk to God last.
For a better life, talk to God all day.
Again, thank you for spending this year with me and for your support. I appreciate you and wish you all the best festive season ever as you spend time with loved ones! Safe travels and I hope to see you on the other side - or should I say site. 😉
With joy & beauty,
Jo xxx
