To begin with, thank you for your ongoing support throughout the years. Many of you have been part of this artistic journey for nearly a decade now. Here’s to many more years ahead!
Let’s recap how 2025 unfolded and establish some aspirations for the coming year.
If you’re interested, you can check out our past summaries here: 2020, 2022, 2023. I regret missing a few years, as consistency has not been my forte!
Highlights of the Year
Overall, it was a fulfilling year for family, with art and writing taking a slight backseat. I’m perfectly fine with this arrangement, especially while the girls are still little. How often do we hear someone lament, “I wish I had spent more time with my family instead of working more when I was younger?”
Here are some memorable moments from the year:
- We relocated and I established a new studio. Our previous home was not ideal for raising two kids and a dog. We opted for a single-story house (goodbye, stairs!) and converted the garage into my new creative space. I’ll share a studio tour when time allows.
- Arabella celebrated her first birthday, while Elora turned four. Both girls are healthy and flourishing. Elora’s interest in art and painting has grown; she often accompanies me in the studio to create her own masterpieces while I paint.
- I ventured out to paint from my kayak on Tingalpa Creek.
- I embarked on a solo art trip with Kobe to the Noosa Hinterlands, spending three days painting and exploring.
- Our family enjoyed excursions to Byron Bay, Kingfisher Bay, and Fiji. Although I didn’t get to paint, I gathered plenty of inspiration and reference photos.
- We initiated the Tree Workshop, where I provided feedback on over 100 student artworks featuring trees from across the globe. We plan to open it to the public later this month.
Challenges Faced
This year wasn’t overflowing with creative output. I found myself painting and writing less than I had hoped. However, I anticipate that will change this year as we’ve settled into our new home and adapted to our life with the girls.
Recent Artwork
I managed to finish nine paintings, including a few studies. While the number may be low, I’m prioritizing quality over quantity nowadays. Additionally, I spent the latter months of the year working on my painting of Elora, which is nearing completion.
New Articles and Videos
We released around 60 articles, newsletters, and eight videos over the year, including:
- Lesser-Known Claude Monet Paintings
- Lesser-Known Vincent van Gogh Paintings
- Comprehensive Guide to Landscape Painting
- Plein Air Painting in the Noosa Hinterlands
- George Elbert Burr’s Watercolors
- Painting an Impressionist Landscape Using Palette Knives (Video)
- How to Paint Highlights on Water (Video)
Aspirations for 2026
I am determined to make 2026 a year rich in creativity, with an emphasis on generating more enriched posts, drawings, and paintings. I also want to continue my outdoor painting adventures, as there’s something profoundly authentic about capturing the landscape’s essence outside the confines of a studio.
Join the Conversation
How was your 2025? What are your plans for 2026? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Warm regards,
Dan and Chontele Scott
Draw Paint Academy
Art is a journey, and if you’re in Hanoi, consider starting or continuing yours at Art Tutor Hanoi, where we offer enjoyable drawing and painting workshops suitable for all skill levels, especially for travelers and expats looking to explore their creativity!
