A Month of Calendars!
Collage calendars, block print calendars, watercolour calendars, entire life calendars, so much calendar inspiration - who knew!
December: CALENDARS
Hello makers,
What a month of creative inspiration! I honestly worried that sharing about calendars all month would be a little boring. I mean calendars aren’t usually automatically associated with creativity. But once I started getting curious about what a calendar can actually be, and how amazing you can make them when you stretch your creative muscles, they are so much fun!
This month got me excited to try so many things—collaging, making block prints, exploring watercolours etc. But it was December. And December is a busy month (especially with kids). So I stuck to what I know and love, creating with thread. And for some reason, using thread on paper again!
So, I decided for my January calendar art I reflected on what January looks like in our family. I thought about what I want to be reminded of and feel when I look at the calendar. And for me, that’s one of our annual camping spots - Lake Clearwater. This remote little lake at the base of the southern alps here in Aotearoa New Zealand is truly stunning. There is no cellphone reception, no motorised boats are allowed on the lake, and there are almost no sandflies (spoiler alert, thats because it’s usually VERY windy!!). But when the wind isn’t blowing, when the hills are reflected on the water and the tussocks are shimmering their golden glow, it’s really quite magical.
I wanted to recreate Lake Clearwater but in a stylized way inspired by one of my favourite artists - John Bevan Ford (Ngāti Raukawa Ki Kapiti/Ngāti Raukawa). Using interwoven lines of ink and stunning colours, his work brings together sweeping landscapes and floating korowai (woven cloaks), rolling mountains and almost mythical wildlife. He had this incredible ability to bring together people and places, across time.
I wanted to try and recreate Lake Clearwater using John Bevan Ford’s style as inspiration. But holy moly, it was hard! There was a lot of trial and error and A LOT of unpicking and changing things. And when you have pre-punched lines in paper, it doesn’t always work well. In the end thought, that’s what Seek To Make is all about, trying new things! I followed my curiosity, I made time for making in what is probably the craziest month of the year. And at the end of it all, I learned from doing (and unpicking).
Here is my interpretation of Lake Clearwater for January 2025:
I hope you have been enjoying Seek To Make so far. If you like what you have been seeing I would love it if you could share my substack, like or comment on the posts. It all helps and I would love to get more people making and exploring their creativity.
I have lots of ideas for next year but I would love to hear your thoughts. Is there any particular theme you want to see here and have a go at? Reach out any time and let me know what sort of things you would love to get more creative with. In the meantime, have a wonder holiday season, stay safe, keep making, and I’ll be back next year.
Happy making!
Esta
Seek to Make is an exploration of creativity and making. Each month, I share a monthly theme around making, showcase inspiring makers, share tips, tools and encouragement. Together let's get curious and immerse ourselves in the art of making!
It's beautiful Esta, you've really captured some of the magic that I imagine the lanscape has!
Artistic calendars are never boring and I have really enjoyed seeing the examples you have shown us Esta. I also love your Lake Clearwater picture and having been there it is a true reflection of such a magical place.