2025 Yearly Art Review
At the end of each year, I like to do a yearly art review. I look back at the goals I set at the beginning of the year and see if I achieved them. I also try to look at my accomplishments. This is my 2025 yearly art review. I did not accomplish as much as I had hoped to this year. I spent a lot of time with my family as my dad was in the hospital for several months and eventually passed away.
Highlights
One of the highlights of the year was my artist residency at the Taft-Nicholson Environmental Humanities Center in Montana. I spent three peaceful weeks in September in the Centennial Valley exploring the natural environment and working on small artworks. It was just what I needed at the time. Below are a few of the small works I created while I was there.
Fireweed
©Lisa Flowers Ross
hand-dyed fabrics, thread
11″ x 11″ framed
I saw lots of Fireweed, one of Montana’s native plants. The autumn colors were striking and I loved the curly nature of the leaves. I tried to capture it in this fused appliqué artwork.
Field Study (M10CV6)
hand-dyed fabrics, thread
12″ x 12″
The above artwork is an abstraction of the Centennial Valley with the hand stitches representing grass islands in the Lower Red Rock Lake. This is the piece that I donated to the Taft-Nicholson Center. I managed to make 10 small artworks while in residence there. Having isolated dedicated time allows for more production.
As usual, being a featured artist at the Capitol Contemporary Gallery in downtown Boise, ID is always a highlight. In June, I was the featured artist for the month, along with artist, John Taye. The picture at the top of the post is one view of the gallery. Fabricated Nature was the theme of those works. Below is just one of the artworks displayed in the show.
Foliaris XIV
hand-dyed and screen-printed fabrics, thread
30″ x 24″
Teaching
In May, I taught my Abstracting from Reality Workshop: Seeing to Design workshop to a group in Grand Junction, CO. They provided a large room and I really enjoyed the people and getting to see a little of the surrounding landscape. I had two gracious hostesses that let me stay in their homes. It was a great experience.
Lowlights
In 2025, I applied to 18 different art events (i.e. exhibitions, residency, public art, etc.). I received 4 acceptances and am still waiting to hear from 3 others. That is a pretty low acceptance rate (assuming those others are also rejections). But I keep trying. I am grateful I was accepted as an artist-in-residence in Montana, mentioned above.
Artworks
2025 was not a very productive year. I made 25 artworks, of which 21 are small. I did manage to average about 13 hours a week on my art business despite all the time I was not at home. At the beginning of 2025, In Vein VI was the first artwork I made. I really like the richness of the colors in this piece.
In Vein VI
hand-dyed fabrics, thread
30″ x 24″
These aren’t the only things that were created or happened last year, but just a little summary of some. For 2026, I am hoping to be more productive and do some more traveling. Many of the goals from last year, got moved into this year. I don’t get upset if they are not accomplished, but I do think writing them down is like a guidepost to help me on my way.