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Michelle
Make 2026 Your Creative Year
Happy New Year! I’m writing to you from my dining room table and I have to tell you, it feels absolutely wonderful.
You see, something shifted for me recently. With two young children running around, I can’t always escape to my studio like I used to. So I did something that felt both practical and a bit rebellious – I brought my art into the house. A selection of my favourite brushes, a few tubes of paint, and suddenly my dining room table has become my creative sanctuary.
And the most surprising thing? I’m painting more than ever.
Your Space Doesn’t Need to Be Perfect
I know what you might be thinking. “But Michelle, I don’t have a proper studio.” “I don’t have the right setup.” “My space isn’t good enough.”
Here’s what I’ve learned: your creative life doesn’t need a dedicated studio. It needs you to show up, even in small ways.
A corner of your kitchen table. A spot by the window where the light falls just right. A little trolley you can wheel out when inspiration strikes. That’s all you need to begin.
The magic isn’t in having everything perfect. The magic is in giving yourself permission to create wherever you are.
Why This Matters More Than You Think
Yesterday, I was listening to the radio and something caught my attention. They were discussing research showing that art as therapy can be just as powerful as going to the gym. Not similar – equally powerful for our wellbeing.
I can tell you from my own experience, this is absolutely true. I’m a better mum when I paint. When I carve out time for my art, even just 20 minutes here and there, I’m calmer, more present, more myself.
Taking time for your creativity isn’t selfish. It’s essential. It feeds everything else in your life – your relationships, your work, your ability to show up fully for the people you love.
You’re Already Further Than You Think
Before we talk about moving forward, I want you to do something for me. Go and look at a painting you created a year ago. Really look at it.
I bet you’ll see something surprising. Even if you’ve felt stuck at times, even if you’ve struggled, you’ve grown more than you realise. I see this all the time with my students – they’re so focused on the next challenge that they don’t notice how far they’ve actually come.
Growth happens quietly in those kitchen table sessions, in the “failed” paintings that teach you something precious, in showing up even when you don’t feel inspired. Trust your journey. You are moving forward.
Let’s Talk About Identity
Here’s something I want you to consider this year: start thinking of yourself as an artist.
Not “someone who paints when they find time.” Not “a hobbyist.” Not “I’m learning to paint.”
You are an artist.
If you’ve invested in paints, brushes, courses – if you’ve shown up for your art in any way – you’ve earned that title. You don’t need a gallery show or thousands of followers or perfect technique. You just need to create.
This shift in how you see yourself changes everything. Artists make time for their art. They set up that corner by the window. They paint for 20 minutes before the kids wake up. They take themselves seriously, even when life is messy and chaotic.
You can be many things at once. A parent and an artist. A professional and an artist. But please, stop diminishing what you do with phrases like “I dabble” or “I paint on the side.” Your art deserves more respect than that. And so do you.
Your Challenge for 2026
Right now, I want you to grab a piece of paper and write down your creative goals for this year. Not resolutions that fade by February – real, meaningful goals that excite you.
They might look like:
- Setting up a small painting space in your home, even if it’s just a drawer and a corner
- Committing to painting once a week, even if it’s only 30 minutes
- Finishing three paintings you’re genuinely proud of
- Taking that course you’ve been bookmarking for months
- Sharing your work with someone who’ll appreciate it
- Trying that technique that both terrifies and thrills you
Don’t worry about how big or small these goals are. What matters is that you’re giving your art the time and attention it deserves. Because when you prioritise your creativity, everything else in your life benefits too.
Small Sessions, Big Impact
Can I share something that’s transformed my painting life? Those 20-minute sessions at my dining room table have taught me that you don’t need hours to make progress. You just need consistency.
Twenty minutes of colour mixing while dinner simmers. Half an hour on a Saturday morning before anyone else is awake. Forty-five minutes on a Tuesday evening instead of scrolling through your phone.
These small pockets of time add up to something beautiful. They keep your skills sharp, your creative muscles strong, and your artistic voice developing. Don’t underestimate what you can achieve in small, regular sessions.
Make Space for What Matters
When you look back at 2026 in twelve months, what do you want to see? A year of excuses about not having time? Or a year of paintings, growth, and creative joy?
The choice is yours. And I promise you, you won’t regret making time for your art. You’ll only regret the paintings you didn’t make, the goals you didn’t set, the artist you didn’t allow yourself to become.
So here’s my challenge to you: this week, set aside one small space for your art. It doesn’t need to be permanent or perfect. Just create a little corner where your creativity can breathe.
Then show up there. Even for 20 minutes. Make one mark, mix one colour, start one small painting.
Your artistic journey is waiting for you. Not someday when life is less busy. Not when you have a proper studio. Right now, at your kitchen table, in whatever space you can claim as your own.
You are an artist. And 2026 is your year to paint like one.
Michelle ✨
Over to you: What’s one creative goal you’re setting for yourself this year? Share in the comments below – I’d love to hear what you’re working towards!
11 thoughts on “Make 2026 Your Creative Year”
Last year I dedicated every Thursday night to painting and then work and life got in the way. I am now making it a non negotiable and if I can’t do the Thursday then I am making it another evening. And it makes me so happy to have a brush in my hand and paint. I always think I need longer to paint, but you are right, 20 mins as often as you can (daily if possible) will make a huge difference. Thank you for the inspiration 🙂
Amazing Helen. It’s so important to make it a non negotiable in your life because you feel so much happier when you paint. Yep 20 mins is all you need sometimes. Glad you found this helpful. I’ve loved seeing your posts in the community.
Hi Michelle,
Thinking about my journey with you, I have always leaned towards landscape paintings. For some reason, they interest me more than portraits as an example. I have to confess that portraits intimidate me somewhat. Im not sure if its the detail thats involved in a portrait or what, but Ive always enjoyed the freedom of less detailed art if that makes sense..
I also feel that I want to paint pictures that are easier to be honest..
Hi Tim. I fully understand how portraits can feel intimidating but honestly if you break down the elements they are really no different to any subject and you don’t need much detail at all but equally if you don’t feel ready you can go to the other subjects in the membership. It’s about selecting what feels right for you at the time. If you want to paint pictures that feel easier that’s fine, just remember it’s when we feel uncomportable trying something new that we grow.
Thanks for the advice Michelle. I have started the subject in a train station so it’s a new one for me. I agree with you in regards to pulling myself out of my comfort zone. I will definitely try a portrait pic and look forward to your advice.
Thanks again
Indeed I used to believe that my house was not suitable for making art. That I had to have a bigger house with a workshop outside or a perfect space inside with perfect light coming in.
and then I suddenly transformed the smallest room in the house I really live in to an Art -studio, an Atelier as I call it in Dutch. I repainted the walls, looked for a table and a cart for my supplies and went ahead. This small space is not more than 6 square meters but I even squeezed a chair in it were my dog can ly in while a paint, draw, experiment.
Besides that, a small improvised space at the diner table (also !) emergerd, where I began to sketch every morning after having breakfast. Sometimes just 10 minutes, sometimes for half an hour. And now this space has grown a bit but I like it just as much as my upstairs Atelier.
I draw, paint, sketch every day. It is such a joy to me. Opening up a box of colouring pencils, markers or selecting some paint and brushes just ignites my soul.
And I started saying to myself : I am an artist, I create. I serve myself and others with doing so. Every time I feel some insecurities or doubts about being an artist I repeat that sentence in myself, just as many times until I feel a shift in my core. And then I am BACK on TRACK.
Amazing Sandra thank you so much for sharing. It’s been wonderful seeing your work on socials and I’m so pleased you are making more time for what lights you up and what a great tip to repeat that sentence to yourself because it’s true – you are an artist! Creating is the most wonderful thing you can ever do and we are all so lucky to have found it. Let’s hope more people can find the joy to create.
Hi Michelle.l’ve been in touch before,but on reading the FB post about making 2026 a year of setting goals (and hopefully achieving them) l felt a connection with my story. I started painting after being medically retired from work and taking some photos whilst on a walk. To fill in my time l decided to try and turn the photos into paintings. My friends seemed to like them,and this gave me confidence.l bought paint, canvases of different sizes, and began to look for subjects. This began to take up space in my small flat,and l decided to have my living room as my studio. I now paint regularly,and am always on the lookout for the more interesting or unique subject matter in order to make a series of paintings which l can hopefully turn into coasters or fridge magnets, and/or sell. The act of painting has been very therapeutic,and ,along with writing poetry, has gone a long way to helping with stress and depression. My next goal is to try and get a stall at local markets, see what the general public thinks about my art, and decide whether or not to start a commercial self employed business. This would be a complete change in lifestyle,and thinking about it can be a bit scary as l still have ongoing physical and mental health problems. I love finishing a painting and feeling that the end result is as close to what l wanted to produce as l am able, but it’s a big world out there,and l don’t know how l would feel if no-one seemed to appreciate my output, and my living room/studio seems a warm and safe place. So this year,as l said earlier,my goal is to pluck up the nerve to introduce my art to the local population,and not be too upset if it doesn’t seem to be working. Happy painting
Thank you so much for sharing your story Tony. Art can be a wonderful outlet and I’m so pleased you found it to help you. I fully understand it can feel like a giant leap putting your work out there but try to take small steps, perhaps share with some a few images on social media, maybe have a little ‘open studio’ where you invite friends and family, join an art group either on or offline and get feedback from peers. There’s lots you can do to help build your confidence but it sounds like a great goal to have. I wish you all the success.
Wonderful and very helpful to an artist like me who doesn’t get much regular time to paint and create, thank you so much.
You are very welcome.