Hey everyone, you haven’t heard from me in quite a while. I hope you all have landed well in the new year. Thank you for your kind messages, I’ve read them all.
A few personal notes about my absence first:
My life has been on hold in the last two months. I’m very sorry I didn’t post anything at all, it just wasn’t possible. I had to deal with a lot of health issues (again), and on top of that a family emergency at the end of the year that has overshadowed everything. I’m still incredibly exhausted.
I haven’t touched a brush or sketchbook in many months (the sketch above is from November), and I’ve had no creativity in me for a long time. But I slowly feel a bit of energy returning, and I hope I can put that into artworks and blog posts again. I missed writing and making art and being in contact with you all!
My plans for 2026:
I have a few hopeful plans for this year.
Many of you will be happy to hear that the landscape sketching course will be finally ready! It’s coming later this year.
I also have a smaller, snack-sized landscape class in the works.
And there will be an exciting online event in spring that I’m looking forward too.
I will not offer any courses with personal feedback this year, it’s just not possible. I may open some slots for individual feedback when I have the time and energy for it. As always, that will be announced on this newsletter first. All courses will of course be available as self-learning courses, meaning you can go through them in your own pace at any time.
All in all, this year will probably be all about landscape sketching, and on a more personal level, finding balance and strength again.
I’m excited about finally exploring landscape sketching in a more detailed way on the blog and in courses, and I hope you are too. I’ve really missed this small sketching community and sharing and talking with you.
I’m hoping for a creative year with renewed energy!
Take care of yourself. We have missed you but your wellbeing comes first.
Dear Julia,
Greetings from a troubled U.S.
You’ve been much on my mind, but I didn’t wish to intrude, as we don’t really know each other. Just know that this community is ready when you are and patient until then.
We will all wish you well Julia, I hope you continue to feel stronger & find enjoyment in creativity again.
Hi Julia! I am truly sorry you went through so many challenges. Sending prayers and positive thoughts for healing. 2025 and the beginning of 2026 have been exhausting. I have so many friends with catastrophic medical issues/diagnoses. And here in the US, we have such division – and an administration bent on wreaking havoc on the rest of the world, while ignoring the crises at home. It is difficult to ‘disconnect’ from these travesties and find peace and calm in everyday life. I believe your idea of landscape painting is one way to find ‘joy’ – I am always uplifted spending time in green spaces, particularly forests and by the ocean. Extra special when you get to witness the wildlife in those habitats. Right now, with our unusual bitter cold temps and wind chills, it us difficult to get to these places. But this too shall pass.
This may sound ‘weird’, but I am hoping you have (and are able to care for) a pet. Animals are amazing – and our pets provide so many positive interactions that in turn improve many ‘physical’ improvements (heart rate, stress levels, blood pressure are just a few).
Again, sending g prayers and positive thoughts that you can experience healing and joy in the coming days.
So good to hear from you. We have missed you! You have such a talent and we all are looking forward to what you have coming up.
Praying for you Julie
Dear Julia
Wishing for continued health and healing for you.
The best. Sylvia
Liebe Julia,
Wir freuen uns sehr, dass du wieder gluecklich und gesund bist!
Wir haben dich vermisst.
Sei immer Besser!
Kate und Dory
Thank you for all you do! Was happy to see this post and to know you’re okay. Looking forward to the new year “artfully “ with you and others. May this be your best year yet!
Julia,
So sorry to hear about your struggles the last few months. I hope and pray that you will feel better soon and that your family emergency has worked out in a positive way. Hang in there…. your work is wonderful and inspiring. Take care of yourself, we will all be here when you are ready. Nora …. no need to reply…. save your strength!
So mush love to you Julia! Thanks for sharing, you are not alone and is good to have you back connecting with those who love you! I always love your courses and have just been emerging from my own slump and was thinking I’d revisit your Bird course that I have , and here you are offering the enticing landscape sketching which I am excited to add to my own journey to emerge from the slump! Sending you lots of love and blessings for continued healing in all ways, and warmest blessings and gratitude for all you share !
Glad to hear from you. looking forward to the new mini class in the spring.
Julia,
I am truly sorry for your struggles this past year and I hope and pray that 2026 will find you gaining strength both physically, mentally, and spiritually. I look forward to hearing more from you as you are able. My thoughts will be with you. Thank you for sharing some of your personal struggles.
Dear Julia,
How lovely to receive a your sign of life and read your plans for 2026. I’m so sorry to hear of your recent struggles. Sending you lots of positive energy and good thoughts for your gentle return to strength and looking forward to your next class. Yours, Laura
Dear Julia, thank you for sharing, your sketches abd blog are always a joy to read. 2025 was hard for me too, especially Dec and early Jan. The lady I took care of, who was like a Beloved Grandmother, passed away peacefully at 97. I can truly say I feel God’s peace, and I pray that our Lord Jesus heals and restores you and makes you whole. I wasn’t a Christian all my life but came to know He is real and very good. I have witnessed 3 miracles through prayer, so I’m praying for you
Best wishes to you and your family as you work through you struggles.
Dear Julia
I am sorry to hear of your struggles. I hope that you will regain your strength quickly and enjoy you creativity again. Sending wishes of healing and joy.
A bright light in my inbox! So happy to see your name and read your warm words again, Julia! And happy to hear that light is returning for you. I’m looking forward to following the paths you’ll take in sketching landscapes when it’s right for you. Your gentle, authentic steps are so valued!
I was so happy to see an email from you in my inbox today! I’m very sorry to hear about the difficulties you’ve been facing and hope things will improve in the near future. I’m looking forward to the landscape course very much but please release it in your own time when you are ready to do so. Your message holds a lovely – if understandably cautious – note of optimism, so I’m wishing you, and everyone here, a healthy and happy year full of artistic endeavour!
Julia – I am so sorry to hear about your health struggles and family issues which have sapped your strength and creative energy. Healing and having good health is more important than anything else in this life, so please take your time to feel better and we will await the course you prepared in any way you present it. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Best wishes for this new year! I always enjoy your blogs and content. blessings
I’m sorry to hear of your health troubles and hope you will be well 100% soon! Health issues happening here too, self and family. Take care!
I’m glad you’re OK. It sounds like you’ve had a very tough time of it. It was a lovely surprise to receive your email and I’m always delighted by your wonderful work but it’s so important to take care of yourself above everything else. I hope you have a much better year in 2026.
Sorry for your trouble
Take care
Please take care of yourself first!
I just wanted to say that landscape from November is SO beautiful!
Feliz Año y muchos ánimos para volver a comenzar. Un abrazo y deseando ver dibujos tuyos que te hagan sentir fuerte a ti.
So very glad you are back! You’ve been missed. Best wishes for a continued recovery. Looking forward to the new courses.
Hi Julia
I have been following your blog for sometime . I am retired and took up watercolors as a hobby which I enjoy even through my frustration . I hope to be part of your landscape course at the end of the year. I hope your health and family issues improve.
Good to hear from you again, and my empathy for your family and health issues. I don’t actually know you, but I can see your heart through the simple beauty of your paintings. There is much left for you to do and be in this world.
Kind regards
(Call upon the name of the Lord and be healed.)
Hello Julia,
I have followed your blog posts and participated in some of the watercolor lessons for some time. Your style of painting and compassionate teaching approach has buoyed my own learning experience with art. I am hopeful that you will be on the mend soon!
Hope you get more and more energy. Life can throw you some curve balls. I always enjoy your email and blogs.
Julia, wishing you well and putting you and your family on my prayer list.
Bright blessings to you.
Always wonderful to see you here.
Take good care.
Hi, Julia. Sorry to read that you’ve had a long while being will. Hope that you’re soon back to your happy, healthy, and creative self. All the best to you going forward.
It’s nice to hear from you again, Julia and I hope that you will continue to feel better. I have been following your blog for sometime now and hopefully, this year I will be able to take your landscape course. Take care.
Hello Julia, I am so glad to have found your YouTube channel. Firstly, my native langue is Norwegian so you have to excuse my grammar but hopefully you will understand. I watched this first video as I really want to learn how to draw (Especially all the beautiful flowers I am growing in our garden), and I became so incredible enthusiastic as I need someone to guide me who is calm, friendly and who is easy to follow. You immediately gave me a sense of joy which I have not felt in a very long time. I read you latest blog about your long absence from being creative, struggling with health issues and energy. I can relate to this as well as life has been hard and have taken away much of my creative joy. But finally I feel some longing and that is a good sign. I will check out your courses and watch more here on your channel. Take care and have a beautiful new year Greetings, Britta
Hey Julia. keeping good thoughts for you always. and thank you for getting me started in sketching. it has brought me much joy.
Julia, I hope things are getting better. I look forward to you Landscape classes! Rest and be well,
Judy