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Being part of a creative community means everything, especially during the times when your own productivity is at a low. Life gets in the way sometimes, and it can feel frustrating when the ideas don’t come, or your body simply says nope, not today. But it’s in those moments that the importance of creative community really shines through.

Longstanding collaborations and connections don’t fade just because you’ve had to pause. That gentle, ongoing support — a message here, a kind word there — reminds you that you haven’t been forgotten. You’re still part of the conversation, still part of something.

I was reminded of this when I received a message from Kevin @HiddenRiver the other day

"Hey Annette, how do you feel about me using this one for a bottle?" followed by a photo of one of my artworks.

Recently, I was asked to create a commissioned piece for an old school friend. The brief? A floral abstract, including specific flowers and colours to match her vibrant home. Totally new territory for me. I usually let my paintings evolve freely, but this time I had to plan. It pushed me out of my comfort zone… and surprisingly, I loved it, and so did she. The challenge, the process, the end result — it was such a boost. A reminder that growth often comes from the unfamiliar.

And then there was the LinkedIn connection — someone I’d never met in real life, but had felt a kind of kinship with online. She was holding an exhibition to help fund a film she’s working on, TOXSICK. I turned up alone, walked into an empty gallery, took a deep breath… and introduced myself. We ended up chatting about our creative paths, the overlaps in our experiences, and it just felt so natural. She was warm, inspiring, and her artwork blew me away. I left with that buzzing kind of joy that only comes from human connection.

So if you’re in a quiet patch, creatively or personally, lean on your community. Say yes to something that scares you a little. Whether it's a commission you wouldn't usually take on or walking into a room alone — these moments remind us we’re still growing, still capable, still very much part of something meaningful.