Happy 2025!
The Making of a Happy 2025 (card)!
Preliminary sketches
This year’s card had an unusual journey and is full of meaning and emotion. It evolved out of a series of happy accidents which I sought to honor by embracing the non-linear path that it took. There is a unique joy in bringing something tangible to life that began as a spark of imagination, and this card embodies that journey.
I chose the bird, a European Nightjar, because of its connection to the moon, as a nocturnal insectivore. I have warm memories from college of their American cousins, the Common Nightjar, watching them hunt around the dome of my university’s administrative building, Jesse Hall. Earlier this year, I identified my first one here in Germany. Initially, I mistook it for a very odd bat.
Jesse Hall at the University of Missouri-Columbia, *I noticed after the fact that those columns…are ionic!
I learned that Nightjars are truly global, found on every continent except Antarctica. Their distinct white wing and tail markings make them easy to identify in flight. Except for its columnar roosting spot on this card, spotting one at rest is almost impossible. Their feathers blend seamlessly with their surroundings.
A Nod to Empires
Before settling on the bird as a central element, I knew I wanted to include a symbol of the Roman Empire, or more specifically, its fall. I needed to find a way to express myself as I witness our government following a script almost straight out of the Republic’s decline.
I ultimately chose an Ionic column to represent this—a Greek invention, but the Romans used it extensively, just as we’ve borrowed architectural styles from both civilizations in our government buildings. Next time you’re at the Jefferson Memorial, look up!
While I initially considered using a crumbling column to evoke ruins, I decided against dwelling on decay. Instead, I placed the column front and center, as a stoic and enduring symbol. The ultimate message? Nature persists. Ecosystems endure even when humanity stumbles. Borrowing from George Carlin, Earth isn’t going anywhere, we are. Though cynical, George helps me see the future with a grain of hope and a strong sense of humor.
The Moon and a Latin Reflection
Continuing with the Roman theme, I sought a Latin phrase to encapsulate the sentiment that life goes on, no matter what. The moon is the perfect reminder of this continuity and ties everything together. For much of its history, Rome used a lunar calendar until Julius Caesar shifted the calendar to align with a solar year. Even the months of our modern calendar carry the legacy of the Roman Empire. This connection between celestial cycles and human history inspired me to create my own lunar calendar this year. The moon symbolizes both permanence and change—a reflection of life’s constancy amidst its transformations.
Imperfect Perfection
For those reading this far, here’s a confession: the card isn’t perfect. As a nod to living in Germany, I used German month abbreviations. But I missed one, Oktober. I also made a last-minute change to the web address, switching from kirstencarlson.net to fathomitstudios.com. In my haste, I forgot to update the letters after the dot. Oops. On the bright side, I’m mentioning the erroneous URL here so you don’t use it—because when you can’t fix a problem, you might as well make it a non-problem.
Sharing these mistakes is also my way of embracing vulnerability and celebrating the messy beauty of being human. This year, I’m inspired to create boldly and abundantly, leaving perfectionism behind.
My wish for all of us in 2025 is that we can cultivate a sense of humour, accept life’s ups and downs with grace, find the beauty and wonder in nature and engage in kindness with others.
Here’s to 2025—imperfections and all!
Kirsten
January 2025