Winter Solstice, Strawberry Moons and Shifting Focus

Winter has well and truly arrived here in Sydney. The days are sharp and icy, the kind of cold that seeps right into your bones. Until just recently, we were drenched in what felt like an endless deluge, grey skies, wet pavements, and little relief. Then, almost unexpectedly, a break: golden sunlight, and the stunning rise of the Strawberry Moon.

Not blue, but blushing pink and low-hanging, the lowest full moon visable until 2043, apparently. It felt timely, like a small gift from the sky. That soft, silvery light cutting through June’s melancholy.

The Strawberry Moon, as it turns out, is said to support deeper, more authentic communication. It’s an invitation to speak from the heart, to articulate your desires, and to call in more joy, love, and understanding. It sets the stage for stronger, more meaningful connections. I’ll take all of that, thank you.

In the spirit of slowing down and tuning in, I’ve been gradually pulling back from the digital buzz. Less noise, more clarity. No pressure to keep up with the constant stream of world news, must-reads, memes, or viral moments. Instead, I’ve been choosing stillness. Choosing presence. Choosing one thing at a time, and doing it with care.

Which brings me here.

After applying for a writing residency, I found myself deep in reflection, forced to articulate what I do, why I do it, and the themes I keep circling back to in my work (for reasons I’m still uncovering). That impossible but important question: Why make art? Why write? It led to a refresh of my artist statement and biography, long overdue, and a more grounded sense of purpose. So, If you have the time, jump back onto my homepage and have a look.

Now, about this blog / newsletter / Substack post.

Yes, I’ve started a Substack. A new space to gather and grow—a place for words, reflections, conversations, and creative resources. I’ll be cross-posting content from my blog there, plus more that may not make it here. If you feel inclined to follow along, a subscription would mean a lot. You can find it here, and thank you, as always, for reading.

On the subject of inspiration—

Last week I attended a warm and wonderfully cosy book talk hosted by my much-loved local bookstore, Bookoccino. The focus was Collecting: Living with Art by Kym Elphinstone, a beautifully curated book that offers a peek into the homes of creatives and non-creatives alike: artists, writers, poets, architects, business moguls.

It's more than just interiors, it’s a fascinating chronicle of how people live with art. There’s practical advice, personal stories, and plenty of visual nourishment. It seemed like the perfect book to bring home considering my current musings on art, process, and creative space. Kym herself was as generous and thoughtful as her work,open to chat and rich with insight.

A must-read if, like me, you live deeply and emotionally with art.

Resources and Inspiration

If you're trying to write about yourself (for bios, statements, cover letters—or just to make sense of your path), I found these helpful:

On writing artist statements:

1. How to Write an Artist Statement – by The Mindful Creative

2. The Artist Statement as a Creative Practice – with helpful prompts

3. 
   

On why we make art:

• Why Do We Make Art? – 10 Inspiring Motivations

  
  

Writing fiction is one thing. Writing about yourself? That’s something else entirely. But it’s worth doing. If you stay with it long enough, you’ll often discover what it is you’ve been quietly circling for years.

The winter solstice is just around the corner. Like the animals in my house, I’m hunkering down, layered in wool, wrapped in thought, letting stillness do its work.

Because life, like art, doesn’t always follow a plan. It rewrites itself. And maybe that’s exactly how it should be.

Until next time

J x