One Painting a Month: A Creative Goal for the Year

At the beginning of the year, I set a simple creative goal for myself: to complete at least one watercolor painting each month. Not for a deadline, not for a commission — but as a way to stay connected to the quiet, personal side of creating.

I’ll be honest — I got off to a bit of a slow start. January came and went without a finished painting, and for a moment I felt that familiar tug of self-criticism. But creativity doesn’t always move in neat calendar boxes, and sometimes the act of returning is just as important as starting on time.

The First Painting of the Year

Here is the beginning of the first watercolor for this year, and it’s one of my favorite subjects: mountains.

This painting features a calm lake with reflections of trees in the water. As I worked, I felt myself drifting back to my childhood growing up in Alaska. I can almost feel the cool air, the stillness of the water, and the quiet that settles over a place like that. Painting it felt grounding — like reconnecting with a part of myself that has always loved wide landscapes and peaceful moments.

Progress Over Perfection

This goal isn’t about being rigid or perfect. It’s about showing up, making space for creativity, and allowing each painting to unfold in its own time. One painting a month is an invitation — to slow down, to explore, and to keep listening to what wants to come through the brush.

Some months will be easier than others. Some paintings will come together quickly, while others will take patience and trust. That’s all part of the process.

Looking Ahead

Here it is completed! This finished piece is titled, "A Place to Exhale."

I’m excited to see where this year leads creatively. If I end the year with twelve paintings, that will be wonderful. But even more meaningful will be the practice of returning to the work again and again — honoring creativity as something steady, nourishing, and deeply personal.

This mountain painting feels like a beautiful beginning.