Aqua January is just around the corner, and I’m getting everything in place for a month of calm, water-inspired creativity.

Aqua January is an annual art challenge created by Kick in the Creatives, centered around themes of water, movement, reflection, and flow. It’s a challenge designed to encourage artists to start the year gently—focusing on observation, experimentation, and creative momentum rather than pressure.

Water has always played an important role in my artwork. It symbolizes peace, renewal, and faith, while also allowing space for motion, light, and quiet storytelling. Aqua January gives me the opportunity to explore those ideas intentionally as the year begins.

The image shown here reflects how I’m preparing my website and creative focus for the challenge. Each button represents a part of my creative ecosystem during January:

• Aqua January will highlight new water-themed artwork created throughout the challenge.

• Shop Dog Art and Shop Religious Art remain the foundation of The Artistic Shepherd, anchoring the challenge in the themes that define my work.

• Shop Barker’s of Ruin connects Aqua January to my ongoing world-building and narrative art projects.

• Shop Originals features one-of-a-kind pieces created during focused creative seasons

• Watch More Videos offers behind-the-scenes process videos, time-lapses, and studio moments.

• Shop Art Challenge Art brings together artwork created during past and present art challenges.

This stage is about intentional preparation—setting visual tone, organizing content, and creating space for ideas to flow naturally. Aqua January isn’t about rushing or maximizing output. It’s about slowing down, observing, and letting creativity move at its own pace.

As January unfolds, I’ll be sharing new artwork inspired by aquatic themes, gentle motion, and moments of stillness—guided by the spirit of Aqua January and the creative encouragement it offers.

Whether you’re following along with the challenge, browsing artwork, or simply enjoying a quiet creative moment, I’m glad you’re here.