A New Year - A New Art Challenge

Blog 1



Happy New Year to you! I hope you had a great start to the year. I spent it with my husband and our dog at the cottage, enjoying the crisp days surrounded by the peacefulness of the snow-covered landscape - the perfect transition from one year to the next. Due to the short days and cold winds, I spent a lot of time indoors painting, felting and reading.

As in previous years, I decided to set a creative challenge for myself. Last year, I wanted to finish ten paintings every month. While I didn’t achieve the goal, I came pretty close. I finished 80 paintings, many of which were from previous years. However, I didn’t count the 24 sketches and a dozen felted Easter eggs I created during my trip to Germany in April.

This year, I attempt to follow the example of my friend Bob again, who has painted every day for years, despite illnesses, a move, and trips. I tried it two years ago when I painted or drew something daily that I saw or experienced. After a promising start, I lost the momentum. The goal still encouraged me to create more drawings and paintings than I would otherwise have. I also didn’t count my needle-felted paintings, which usually take me more than a day because the progress is much slower.

Bob aims to simplify his compositions. He uses reference photos only as loose guides, while I usually continue until I reach a certain impression of reality. Inspired by him, I am attempting to paint or draw for about 30 minutes every day. I started a new 6” x 4” sketchbook to keep it small and achievable. I want to practice various subjects, attempting to paint looser and quicker, concentrating on the essence of each subject.

Since January 1, I have been drawing or painting daily. However, most of the time, I still spent far more than the 30 minutes on each image, often around 90 minutes. I had the most success with coloured pencils or watercolour pencils. Most of the time, I used a waterbrush with the watercolour pencils. I found it was easier to control the amount of water on the regular paper than using brushes and watercolour washes. I almost ripped on two occasions because I used too much water. I am not too concerned about the paper warping because I treat these drawings and paintings as practice exercises.

To help me speed up and loosen my process, I will attempt only one or two subjects each week, starting with a 10-minute sketch, then adding ten minutes every day. We used this approach in the life drawing sessions I attended many years ago. I will write about my trials and successes in my February blog, which I will publish on February 27, 2026.

Here is a list of my January sketchbook paintings and drawings.

Jan 1       Clementines, watercolours
Jan 2       My In-Law’s Christmas Tree, pencil
Jan 3       Pippa and Ernst, pencil (two drawing during a family visit)
Jan 4       Santa Bear, watercolour pencils
Jan 5       Cardinal Visit, watercolour pencils
Jan 6       Christmas Cactus, watercolours and watercolour pencils

 

Jan 7       Winter Sunset at the cottage, metallic watercolours and white 
                gouache
Jan 8       Winter Sunset in our backyard, watercolour and watercolour pencils
Jan 9       Bean, my daughter’s cat, pencil and coloured pencils
Jan 10     Winter Campfire inspired by the Cartooning and Comics class I 
                taught, coloured pencils

 

Jan 11     Squirrel, pencil
Jan 12     Sumac Snowcaps, coloured pencils and watercolour pencils
Jan 13     Bananas, coloured pencils
Jan 14     Sunset, watercolour (still some metallic glitter from Jan. 7 left in the 
                brushes)

 

Jan 15     Woodpecker, coloured pencils
Jan 16     Fireplace Fire, watercolour and coloured pencil (still some metallic 
                glitter from Jan. 7 left in the brushes)
Jan 17     Cartoon Capybara, inspired by the Cartooning and Comics class I 
                taught, coloured pencils
Jan 18     The Little Tree, watercolour pencils

 

 

Jan 19     Sunset (seen from the Costco parking lot), watercolours
Jan 20     Poinsettia Leaves, watercolour pencils and watercolours
Jan 21     The Finch Visitor, watercolour pencils
Jan 22     Blowing Snow, pencil
Jan 23     Chickadee, coloured pencils
Jan 24     Spiderman, inspired by the Cartooning and Comics class I taught, 
               markers

 

Jan 25     Bean Watching Squirrels, pencil and coloured pencils
Jan 26     Chrissy’s Waffles, watercolour pencils
Jan 27     White-breasted Nuthatch, frozen in his pose, coloured pencil
Jan 28     Mrs. Cardinal, watercolour pencils, reference photo by Janis Fulton
Jan 29     Tree Web, watercolour pencils

 

 

What do you want to accomplish this year? Please leave a comment or send me an email. I would love to cheer you on.

Advent Calendar Days 20 - 24

 

Here is the final blog for this year. Thank you for reading my stories and the kind feedback I received on my social media pages.

If you are celebrating Christmas, I wish you a Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays to you, your family and friends. All the best for a Healthy, Happy and Creative 2026. 



I will post my first blog of 2026 on the last Friday in January. 

Day 20: Grazing Under Autumn's Glow, 9" x 12", watercolour, CAN $250, unframed

I took the picture of this challenging scene, which we painted during one of our virtual Painting Buddies meetings. It shows the field off O'Toole Road in Cumberland, where cows were grazing, undisturbed by us and the many cars passing. Janis had tried to sketch the cows on location, but they moved too much. Capturing them from a photo was enough of a challenge.

Grazing Under Autumn’s Glow captures a herd of cows bathed in warm autumn light, grazing peacefully amid a landscape rich with autumn colours.This painting celebrates the quiet harmony between animals and the glowing landscape of autumn. It invites you to enjoy a moment of calm observation.

Day 21: Last Dash of Autumn, watercolour, 7.5" x 5.75", CAN $100, unframed

 

This watercolour painting captures a scene from my neighbourhood in early November, when I was searching for and taking photos of the last vibrant hues of autumn. As most colours were already fading, these final bursts stood out even more strongly, like a joyful farewell to the season.

These bright hues bring the painting to life, reflecting my love of colour and the happiness it brings me. I cannot imagine a world in black and white, and this painting is a reminder of how colour can lift the spirit, even on the threshold of winter.

 

Day 22: A Rainbow of Leaves, gouache, 8.3" x 5.8"

 

Due to rainy weather, I changed my outdoor painting plans and painted the view from my kitchen window instead. It wasn't plein air painting, but as close as I could manage. I started with tinted mixed-media paper and used gouache to capture this scene, which I enjoyed.

 

You can check out the videos I created about this experience: 

 https://youtube.com/shorts/ tvkBWQJ3Whg 

 https://youtube.com/shorts/ Qaox10yZPO. 

 
 

Day 23: Winter Fields, watercolour, 5.5" x 8.5"

 

My friend Janis Fulton provided the reference photo of the scene that captures the quiet stillness of the winter fields in Cumberland. A soft grey sky hangs low, hinting at more snow to come as nature settles beneath an ever-deepening blanket of snow. The landscape feels tranquil and untouched — a moment of calm where you can almost hear the silence of the snow-covered world. Unfortunately, I painted the new winter scene on the back of my painting, Spring's Floral Magic. 

The spring painting shows the beautiful flowers I saw during my visit to the Trauttmansdorff Castle Gardens, a botanical garden in Meran, during my trip to Northern Italy in May 2023. It is a paradise for anyone who loves flowers and trees.

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Day 24: Hudson, wool and dog hair, 10" x 8", commission 

 

 

In October, I paused most of my needle-felted projects to work on the commission of another dog portrait. Hudson was a beloved family member who crossed the rainbow bridge earlier this year. After the client decided on the reference photos for the dog and the scenery, she saw the piece for the first time once I considered it almost complete. Usually, I receive some requests for minor changes because the owners remember a feature from their beloved pet that would not be noticeable to strangers. 

As this artwork is slightly smaller than the previous portraits I created, I had to cut Hudson's fur into smaller pieces before adding it to the top layer. It was challenging to capture the details of the eyes because of the small size of the portrait. 

When my client asked me if I could use glass eyes to make his eyes shinier and darker the way she remembered, I struggled to find a solution. Hudson looks to the side, so that the forms of the right and left eye are slightly different.



I thought of my acrylic gels and created a test eye. I applied two coats of gloss super heavy gel, followed by three coats of self-leveling gel gloss. At first, the eyes looked horrible because both gels are white and only turn clear after drying. As the final step, I painted the eyes black and added some zinc white spots for light reflection. If I had known about the wish for shiny eyes, I would have left the spots without wool, as the surface is not entirely smooth despite the gel layers. 

Even though the black eyes were shiny, I was still unsatisfied with the look of the eyes. Luckily, I was able to add a layer of wool for the upper and lower lid to achieve a more natural look. I was glad that the felting needle went through the gel layers. 

After another consultation with my client, I added a bit more wool to the tail. I also felt that the fur around the snout needed a bit more of the darker brown. 

Looking for mats and frames, I immediately decided to use a white mat and either a white or black frame to pick up the colours of the dog. My client picked the black frame. She was very pleased about the unique gift for her son and his family, which will keep a piece of Hudson forever in their lives.



I hope you enjoyed my 2025 Art Advent Calendar. Which one was your favourite piece? 

Advent Calendar Days 13 - 19

 

This blog is already the third part of my Art Advent Calendar. If you are wondering why I didn't list prices for my watercolour paintings, it's because I never planned to sell them. After I received some inquiries, I decided to offer them for sale to my newsletter subscribers. Every month, I have special promotions for the latest watercolour paintings.



However, for the first time, I have also offered my watercolour paintings for sale on my Facebook and Instagram pages. The painting of the Art Advent Calendar Day has been on sale for that particular day. If you like one from this blog, you can still take advantage of the Christmas promotion. 

 

Christmas Promotion until December 20, 2025 (midnight ET) 

 

The more paintings you buy, the more you save:

1st painting: 10%
2nd painting: 15%
3rd painting: 20%
Each painting after that: +5%

I will apply the highest rebate to the painting with the lowest price. 

These discounts also apply to gift certificates of $100 or $250 toward artwork purchases or workshop registrations.

 Please contact me at info@KerstinPeters.ca for more information.

Day 13: Dreams in Magenta (Hollyhocks), watercolour, watercolour pencils and white ink, 7.5" x 5.78", CAN $100, unframed

This painting is also from a virtual Painting Buddies session. We painted the hollyhocks I saw in my neighbourhood. I outlined the flowers with white ink to make the flowers stand out against the soft background.

Dreams in Magenta captures the graceful elegance of hollyhocks swaying gently in the summer breeze. The delicate, layered blooms and rich colours create a feeling of romance, inspiring you to enjoy the moment and daydream.

Day 14: Garden Confetti, watercolour and watercolour pencil, 6.7" x 9.4", CAN $150, unframed  

 

I started this painting during the Cumberland Art and Garden Tour in July, when Zinnias bloomed in 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐛 𝐇𝐚𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐲's garden. If you look at the three photos, you will see that I added one more bloom later in the painting process to repeat the magenta colour of the blossom on the right. 

 

This painting is a joyful celebration of summer with a lively burst of colour. The vibrant petals scatter like confetti. They invite you to linger and soak in the warmth and abundance of the season, just the way I did on that hot July day.



Day 15:Spicy Harvest, watercolour and watercolour pencils, 7.5" x 5.78" , CAN $100, unframed

I started this artwork during one of our one-hour virtual get-togethers. I was surprised by how much fun I had with the pepper painting. It is not a subject I would usually pick.



First, I usually draw the basic shapes with watercolour pencils, then paint in layers. I added peppers in some areas and left others out - the privilege of an artist.



The painting is a celebration of the pride and joy gardeners feel when the results of their hard work are fresh, home-grown vegetables and fruits. The vibrant mix of reds, greens, yellows, and oranges creates a dynamic composition bursting with energy and warmth.

Day 16: Purple Flowering Raspberry, watercolour, watercolour pencils and white ink, 5.78" x 7.5", SOLD

 

This piece from our virtual Painting Buddies meeting shows one of the many Purple Flowering Raspberry bushes growing in front of our house. They are not only beautiful but also attract many bees and wasps, and provide fruits that resemble flat raspberries. 

I took my time to finish the painting, and each brushstroke felt very meditative. I am learning to accept that I am a slow painter and loving the process of bringing each piece to life. The painting sold immediately after I published it in my newsletter.

 

Day 17: Snack Time, wool, 7.5" x 11.25", CAN $450, custom-matted to fit a 12" x 15" frame

I saw the squirrel munching on nuts when I visited my friend Helene Martin in Dartmouth in September 2023. Even though many people walked past the little critter, it concentrated fully on its meal and didn't pay any attention to us


The painting captures a charming moment in nature as a little squirrel pauses to enjoy a well-earned treat. The squirrel munching its nut reminds us of the simple joys of wildlife and their ability to live in the moment.

Day 18: Fall Colours at Mer Bleue Bog, watercolour, 8.5" x 5.5" , CAN $120, unframed

 
On October 15, Janis and I went to Mer Bleue to paint the glowing tamaracks. While the wind was cold, the sun was still so warm that I took off my jacket while we were painting. I enjoy this time of the year when the beautiful autumn colours glow, the temperatures are still pleasant, and the bugs don't bite anymore.

Here is the video I recorded at the location.



Day 19: Indian Summer, O' Toole Road, watercolour and gouache, 5.5" x 8.5"

 

On October 19, we had one last gorgeous day with sun and temperatures of 25 degrees. Therefore, Janis and I decided on a last-minute painting outing on a busy side road in Cumberland. Many people enjoyed the fantastic weather to go to the pumpkin patch. The many cars were distracting, but the cows on the other side of the road didn't mind, and I also quickly forgot about the traffic. I was fully absorbed in painting the glowing foliage of the trees.

Here is the video I recorded.



I wish you a lovely fourth Advent. I will post the final blog at the end of the Advent Calendar, on Wednesday, December 24, at noon.

Advent Calendar Days 6 - 12

Here is the second blog with images from this year. Most of them are watercolour paintings. My goal for this year was to finish ten artworks every month. I reached this goal during most months. It helped that I leafed through previous watercolour pads and discovered many unfinished pieces that still excited me. Finishing them felt very energizing. I started almost all of the following artworks during our weekly Painting Buddies Meetings, for which I am very grateful. We meet every week, except when I am on vacation.


While it is often challenging to meet on location due to busy schedules and unfavourable weather, everyone usually finds the time for our weekly creative collaboration. We share a virtual photo album from which we pick the reference photos. We have agreed that we all can use the images in the album for any creative purpose, which is crucial if one of us wants to exhibit and sell any of the works created during the sessions.


It is still amazing how different the results are despite us all using the same reference photos. I am glad for this uplifting group of friends.



Day 6: The Thaw, Petrie Island, watercolour, 7" x 10", unframed, 
CAN $210

I painted this image during a Painting Buddies Zoom session in February 2024. In early March of this year, I finally finished this winter scene of the ice thawing at Petrie Island. I love painting at Petrie Island, which always offers a beautiful retreat from daily responsibilities. Unfortunately, during winter, it is often too cold or wet to paint outside. 

 

The painting captures the change of seasons when winter loosens its grip, and the river breaks up. As the ice melts, it reveals the dark water with the subtle reflections of the surrounding landscape. These are the first signs of winter's end and the promise of warmer days ahead

Day 7: Red Temptation, watercolour pencils, 5.78" x 7.5", unframed, 
CAN $100 

I love the photo of the butterfly I took during my visit to the Palmengarten in Frankfurt, Germany, in April. It is another painting from our virtual meetings. I am delighted with the outcome of the blue butterfly on the bush with the red flowers. To make the wings sparkle, I used a layer of blue metallic watercolour. 

The warm red cluster of blooms attracts the delicate blue butterfly. The bold contrast between the butterfly’s cool, iridescent wings and the warm, inviting blossoms creates a sense of vibrancy, an invitation to pause and appreciate the beauty found in small, fleeting encounters.

Day 8: The Bay Awakens, watercolour and watercolour pencil, white ink, 6.7" x 9.4", unframed, CAN $150

On a sunny day in late April, I went to a bay of the Ottawa River, where ice still covered part of the water. However, I sat in the shade most of the time, and the wind was so strong that I got uncomfortably cold and left after only 45 minutes of painting. I finished the piece with reference photos in the warmth of the cottage. 

The Bay Awakens captures the quiet beauty of early spring as geese glide across a bay still holding onto the last remnants of winter. Pale green water reflects the soft light of early spring, while fragile sheets of melting ice drift gently towards the shore. This peaceful scene marks the subtle transition from cold to warmth — a promise of life returning to the bay.

Day 9: Spring Bouquet with Pink Tulips, watercolour, 7.5" x 11" , unframed, CAN $230

Janis Fulton provided the reference photo for this lovely bouquet. I started this painting in April 2024 and then put it aside because I worried about how to paint the delicate white blooms of the baby's breath.

When I finally went back to the painting this February, I struggled to create the impression of the delicate baby's breath against the powerful tulips and hyacinths. After I finished the painting, I cut part of the background because there was too much empty space. I love how the pink tulips, the delicate baby's breath and the purple hyacinth create a beautiful symphony of brilliant cool colours.

Day 10: Arlo, wool, wool and dog hair, 12" x 9", commission

The needle-felted painting of Arlo underwent many changes. I started the piece after picking one of the reference photos Arlo's owner provided. Unfortunately, colours often vary depending on the light, the camera and the screen settings. When I finally met Arlo two months later, I realized that his fut was much lighter. 

 

After the next grooming, Arlo's owner sent me some of his light fur and a new photo of his face, with his eyes not covered with hair. Unfortunately, it showed Arlo from a different side. However, the changed expression made him look even cuter and happier. I added a layer of his fur on top of the previous wool layers to get a perfect colour match. For a long time, I struggled with the changes to the eyes and mouth. Once I was satisfied, I sent the update to the owner, who loved it. 

We all think of certain poses of our pets that we cherish the most. When I create a pet portrait, I want to capture the pet's personality in a pose the owner cherishes. 
 

Do you want me to capture your beloved pet in wool or acrylic? Please send me a DM, and I will gladly give you more information.

Day 11: Pink Hibiscus, watercolour and watercolour pencils, 7.5" x 5.78", unframed, CAN $100

I started this painting in August 2023, using a reference photo provided by Janis Fulton. I added layers of paint to make the flower more brilliant and filled the background. Hibiscus plants bring so much joy because they continuously bloom from spring to fall, often with several flowers at the same time. The painting is a celebration of the radiant beauty of a single vibrant hibiscus bloom. The vivid hues draw the eye toward the flower’s luminous center, capturing a moment of pure botanical wonder.

Day 12:  Flaming Bloom, watercolour and watercolour pencils, 7.5" x 5.78", unframed, CAN $100

To rest my eyes from computer work, I leafed through a pad with unfinished watercolour paintings and finished this one of a wide-open poppy I love how the open red poppy glows like a flame against the deep, dark green leaves. Janis Fulton provided the reference photo for this artwork.

Have you fallen in love with any of the paintings? You can still save with my Christmas promotion. Please contact me for more information.

 
Have a wonderful  day!