Wonder in the Making: A Journey Into the Freedom of Intuitive Painting
- msteele10
- Feb 11
- 4 min read
Did you know that it's totally normal for artists to start something, get halfway through, and then either abandon it or completely change direction? In fact, it's estimated that 30-40% of artwork gets left unfinished or tossed aside, especially when artists are working on personal projects rather than commissioned pieces.**
Art isn’t always about a perfect, polished outcome. It’s often more about the journey and how an artist’s mood, mindset, or perspective shifts along the way. That’s why it’s so common for projects to evolve—or even be abandoned altogether—as artists tap into their changing emotions and outlooks.
Some famous artists, in fact, left works unfinished or radically altered their approach mid-way. Unfinished art isn’t a failure—it’s just part of the creative process. Sometimes, a change in direction or letting go can be a huge relief. And other times, it’s just about moving on because the original idea no longer resonates.
But here's where it gets exciting: intuitive painting can open up a whole new relationship with the creative process, one that feels way more liberating.
So, what exactly is intuitive painting? It’s the kind of art where you don’t start with a fixed idea of how the piece will turn out.
You work based on your instincts, emotions, and spontaneous choices. It’s fluid, free, and much less about meeting a specific goal. No rules, no pressure—just pure expression.
The best part? It frees you from perfectionism. There's no “right” or “wrong” move, so you can just let go and enjoy the process. With intuitive painting, any changes that happen as you go along are actually welcome. It’s all about the journey. And since it taps into the subconscious, it’s often an emotional experience—one that can help break through creative blocks.
I’ve personally found that intuitive painting can be especially helpful when you’re feeling stressed or haven’t created for a while. For me, it usually starts with some scribbles and random words on a blank canvas.
I don’t worry about what it looks like at all. I just let my body guide me and focus on feeling the movements, which helps me relax and get into the right headspace.
Intuitive painting is really about embracing the process. You start with no fixed idea, and as you layer paint, make marks, and add textures, a vision might slowly start to emerge.
For example, one of my pieces, *Enchanted Grove*, began with no plan. I just played with color and marks, using tools like stencils, spray paint, and inks.
It wasn’t until some black ink dripped and formed tree-like shapes that I got a sense of direction.
From there, the piece came alive. It was like a natural flow—I couldn't stop painting once I hit that point.
The final stages were a rush of excitement as everything came together.
I was first introduced to intuitive painting by Kelly Wyler of Girl Upcycled Studio a few years ago. She encouraged me to start by writing down words or quotes that had personal meaning.
So, I did just that, and before long, I was adding colors and shapes to the canvas. One of the quotes I jotted down was, “If you wanted to fly, you have to let go of everything that was weighing you down.”
From there, I let my instincts take over. Eventually, shapes started to emerge that reminded me of hot air balloons.
Without any real plan, I was painting a series of floating balloons.
That painting became something really special to me—it actually brought me back to a day when I went on a hot air balloon ride with my now-husband. I never intended for that memory to show up in the piece, but it did, and I’ll always treasure that connection.
This is the magic of intuitive painting: it gets you into a flow state, where you’re so immersed in the moment that time slips away. Everything feels effortless, and the work practically creates itself. It’s like getting lost in the process, where you can’t wait to see what happens next.
And the beauty is, even if you start with one idea, you’re totally open to the piece evolving as you go. It’s about being adaptable and embracing change. Learn more in my Wonder in the Making workshops.
Some of the big benefits of intuitive painting are:
- Accept imperfections – No need for everything to be perfect.
- Encouragement of creativity and experimentation – You get to try new things!
- Releasing control – Let go and trust the process.
- Connecting more deeply with your emotions – It’s all about expression.
Intuitive painting can truly transform the way you approach creating art. It’s all about letting your intuition guide you, embracing the flow, and opening yourself up to unexpected, often deeply meaningful, results.
As you immerse yourself in the world of intuitive painting, remember that the beauty lies in the journey, not just the finished piece. The freedom to explore, express, and create without limitations opens the door to endless possibilities. If you’re ready to dive deeper into this creative process and discover the magic of painting from the heart, I invite you to join me in Wonder in the Making workshops. Together, we’ll explore new ways to connect with your inner artist and unlock the wonders that await on the canvas. Come, let’s make some magic together!
Here are some more examples of art I have completed using this approach.
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