Stepping Into 2026: Travel, Inspiration, and New Designs on the Way
There are many reasons to travel, but this year my dance card is especially full. Each trip is an invitation to step onto a new floor, learn a different rhythm, and move in ways I never expected. Travel nudges us out of our comfort zones, sparks creativity, builds confidence, and reminds us how big and wonderfully connected the world really is. One journey leads to another, and before you know it, you are dancing your way through new places, new ideas, and new perspectives.
Stamp Collection Pillows are available in the Shop
In December, the rhythm shifted west as I travelled to Calgary for the festive season. It was a wonderful mix of family, friends, and time well spent together. We swapped stories from trips past, laughed over old travel memories, and talked excitedly about future adventures still waiting their turn. Somewhere in those conversations, between nostalgia and anticipation, a new idea quietly took shape. Those moments became the inspiration for a new line of travel themed cushions, designed to bring a sense of movement, memory, and wanderlust into everyday spaces.
I love the balance of slipping back into favourite places while still chasing the thrill of something new. In the first months of 2026, I am returning to Oaxaca, Mexico, where cobblestone streets, vibrant mercados, and richly layered folk traditions never fail to inspire. It is a city that rewards wandering, colour watching, and slow discovery. I’m especially looking forward to brushing up on my Spanish with the warm, patient people who make Oaxaca feel instantly familiar, no matter how many times you return.
Later in the year, I’m trading colour and warmth for contrast and drama. Iceland has been calling my name, a place defined by extremes and raw beauty. From the glow of the Northern Lights to massive glaciers, steaming geothermal springs, and striking black sand beaches, it feels almost surreal. My November trip is already booked, and I can’t wait to experience its textures, moods, and movement in person, and to see how it shapes the designs that follow.
For this year, I have created a series of travel posters that come together as a calendar by year’s end. Think of them as little invitations to step back onto the dance floor of the world, even on the days you’re staying close to home. Images of faraway places let our minds wander, spark ideas, and thoughtfully plan what’s next.
The Sydney Opera House is first in this series of posters. It is one of the world’s most instantly recognizable landmarks, admired for its bold design and unforgettable presence.
Each poster in this new series captures the feeling of a place through story, colour, and mood, bringing a sense of travel into everyday spaces. It’s a simple, comforting way to keep moving, dreaming, and swaying to the rhythm of new destinations, one month at a time.
To make things even more fun, I am introducing a new monthly treat! Each month, I am sharing with you a free digital download of each month’s travel image. It’s my little way of inviting you onto the dance floor with me, no packing required. You can download it, save it, use it as a screen background, or print it out and live with it for a while. Just follow the link, grab the free download, and let this month’s destination set the tone until the next one rolls around.
FREE AUSTRALIA SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE DOWNLOAD
Of course you can also buy it as a ready-to-hang high-quality limited edition print in the shop. Sydney Opera House Limited Edition Print
Alongside making and travelling, I’ve been spending time with two books that continue to influence how I think about creativity and design.
THE ART SPY by Michelle Young, returns us to wartime Paris and the quiet courage of Rose Valland, who helped save some of the world’s most important artworks.
THE MODERNS by Steven Heller & Greg D’Onofrio, looks at how Modernism reshaped American graphic design, creating a visual language that still feels bold and relevant today.
Together, they are a reminder that creativity, courage, and strong ideas have a way of lasting far beyond their moment.
Looking ahead, I’m building toward a year shaped by movement, observation, and making. As I travel, I’ll be paying close attention to the sights, styles, and sounds of city streets, those everyday details that give each place its personality. That street level inspiration will find its way into new graphic designs and products, created thoughtfully and with a strong sense of place.
There are many adventures and launches ahead in 2026, both on the road and in the studio. I’ll be sharing along the way and bringing you with me as these ideas take shape.
Stay curious!
Hasta luego,
The Courage Drifter