My First Blog Post: A Year of Growth, Grief, and Creative Transformation
- olenahastilow
- Dec 8
- 3 min read
As this year slowly approaches its end, I felt it was finally the right time to write my very first blog post. I’ve been meaning to share my story for a while now - not as breaking news, but as a personal reflection on how life, loss, and creativity have shaped me these past two years.
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Looking Back at How It Started
Photography has been a part of my life for many years to a lesser or greater extend. What began as a passion, eventually became a career change in 2024.
By the end of that year, after working with different people and exploring a variety of photography styles, I gained enough experience to understand what truly resonated with me. I realised that I wanted to focus on creating quality rather than producing quantity. That clarity pushed me toward a new direction - the one where I invest more time and heart into sharpening my skills and experimenting with new techniques.
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A Difficult Beginning to 2025
2025, however, began in a way I never expected. On the 1st of January, my dad passed away. His death, followed by further family challenges - made even heavier by the ongoing war in Ukraine - had a deep emotional impact on me. My health suffered, and with that came the need to slow down and reduce my workload.
But creativity has always been my anchor. Even in the hardest moments, it helped me stay connected to something positive, something hopeful. With my husband’s support and my art, I chose not to fall into a downward spiral. Instead, I decided to channel my energy into learning, experimenting, and growing.
Competitions, Exhibitions & Achievements in 2025
As I focused on improving my techniques and exploring new artistic directions, opportunities began to open. I started submitting my work to competitions and exhibitions - and to my surprise and excitement, many of them welcomed my art.
Here are some of the highlights of my year:
May
•          Participated in the Portrait Exhibition at the Glasgow Gallery of Photography with self-portrait "The Memory of India". The same image has received Editors’ Pick in the Life Framer Colour Competition in 2024.
June
•          Received an Editors’ Pick in the Life Framer Open Call Competition.
"A mesmerizing double portrait, so simple and well put together! The tones blend in smoothly and make the two faces stand out. It’s impossible not to look the characters in the eyes and wonder what their story is, what happens in their lives. The wrapping paper is an inventive way to convey warmth, care, and love." – LIFE FRAMER
July
•          Showcased two images in The Dark Side Exhibition at Boomer Gallery in London.
September
•          Exhibited my first painting in the Abstract Exhibition at the Open Gallery in Halifax.
•           Exhibited one image and one painting in Your Dreams and Nightmares at Boomer Gallery in London.
•          Had three images shortlisted for the British Photography Awards. I didn’t win, but being shortlisted three times felt like a huge achievement.
October
•          Exhibited three images in New Voices at Boomer Gallery in London.
•          Displayed a painting in the Abstract Exhibition at Fronteer Gallery in Sheffield.
"Fractured Horisons". Acrylic Painting on canvas, 61 x 50.5cm.
November
•          Had a painting exhibited in the Fronteer Open 2025 in Sheffield. "Drift". Acrylic Painting on canvas, 50.5 x 50.5cm.
December
•          Participated in the Purple Exhibition at the Glasgow Gallery of Photography.
A Year That Transformed Me
Although 2025 started with pain and uncertainty, it also became a year of affirmation - a year that reminded me why art matters, why creativity matters, and why we should keep moving forward even when the path feels difficult.
Photography and painting not only supported me through the darkest moments, but also opened new doors, brought beautiful experiences and new friendships into my life. And for that, I am grateful.
I wanted to share my journey from my own perspective, in the hope that someone out there might find strength, comfort, or inspiration in it. If my story helps even one person rediscover something positive in their own life, then sharing it was worth it. :)
Thank you for being here, and for being a part of this creative journey with me. More to come soon.
Olena xx