Episodes
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This week Iām talking about something that surprised me in my own practice: how returning to Procreate, a tool I havenāt touched properly in years, helped me break out of my old habits and finally start moving away from the horizon line. I share the unexpected guilt that came with using digital tools again, how the undo button can actually teach us more about our instincts than we think, and why digital play can open doors that feel stuck in traditional media.
I also talk about the two digital pieces I created this week, how different they felt, and what they revealed about freedom, looseness and expression. If youāre feeling stuck or wrestling with a ādefault moveā in your work, this episode is an invitation to revisit the tools youāve abandoned and allow yourself the permission to explore again, in whatever medium helps you breathe.
And if youāre drawn to expressive, intuitive painting, come join me inside Abstract Horizons, my creative community for artists who want to paint with more freedom and emotion. You can take a look here:š https://www.skool.com/beyond-the-horizon-1551
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In this episode of Totally Abstracted, I explore colour as instinct, not rules or formulas. Itās a conversation about what happens when your work looks fine on the surface but feels hollow underneath, and how your colour choices often hold the key to reconnecting with yourself.
I share a personal story of losing my rhythm in the studio and rediscovering it through my āemotional home paletteā of cool blues and violets, colours linked to memory, early mornings, healing and identity.
Youāll hear about:
The difference between painting from presence vs. painting from habit
Why colour theory is a map, not the terrain
How intuition guides palette choices more accurately than logic
The emotional āweather patternsā behind your favourite colours
How to use colour to reconnect with your work when you feel stuck
I also offer a gentle prompt: choose your palette first and let it lead the painting. Listen now and and trust your colours.
And if youāre drawn to expressive, intuitive painting, come join me inside Abstract Horizons - my creative community for artists who want to paint with more freedom and emotion. You can take a look here:š https://www.skool.com/beyond-the-horizon-1551
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Episodes manquant?
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In this episode of Totally Abstracted Iām exploring what I call The Layered Mindset, a way of thinking thatās changed how I approach both painting and life.
Every painting goes through that awkward, uncertain phase, the messy middle where nothing looks quite right and perfection feels miles away. But Iāve learned that this stage isnāt a mistake; itās where the real art begins. Layers arenāt just physical paint, theyāre records of choices, hesitations, and little moments of bravery.
When we let go of the need for perfection, we give ourselves permission to stay curious. We start to enjoy the conversation between what we put down and what the painting offers back. And in that back-and-forth, something deeper happens: the painting begins to reveal itself. And I believe that embracing process over perfection transforms not just your work, but your relationship with creativity itself.
If youāre drawn to expressive, intuitive painting, come join me inside Abstract Horizons. This is my creative community for artists who want to paint with more freedom and emotion. You can take a look here:š https://www.skool.com/beyond-the-horizon-1551
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In this episode of Totally Abstracted, Iām exploring something that changed everything about how I paint - The Power of the Catalyst.
You know those rare moments when a single tool transforms not only your technique but your whole relationship with your art? Thatās what happened when I picked up a catalyst wedge for the first time. I dragged that catalyst wedge through wet paint and something in me shifted. Painting became about movement, energy and discovery.
I share how catalyst moments (and that can be from any new tool, new material or process shift) can mark a turning point in every artistās story, a new phase of creativity and courage, where we embrace uncertainty, surrender control and allow the real magic to happen. If youāre curious about the catalyst wedge I always mention, or want to explore some of the tools that have shaped my own abstract landscape practice, youāll find them all listed on my Studio Favourites page on my website. Theyāre the materials I genuinely use and love.
Listen in, and maybe this week youāll discover the tool that changes how you paint.
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Season 2 of Totally Abstracted begins.
The theme is āWhatās in Your Expressive Artistās Toolkit?ā - a fresh chapter exploring the ideas, materials and mindsets that help us paint with greater depth, freedom and feeling.
In this introductory episode I reflect on how my own toolkit has evolved from brushes and paint to include rituals, questions and creative habits that sustain expression. And I share whatās changed since Season 1, how my work and membership have grown, and what to expect in the episodes ahead.
And if youāre drawn to expressive, intuitive painting, come join me inside Abstract Horizons - my creative community for artists who want to paint with more freedom and emotion. You can take a look here:š https://www.skool.com/beyond-the-horizon-1551
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Ever had a painting that justā¦ flatlined?
Itās not that itās bad. Itās just lifeless. The spark that was there at the start has vanished, leaving something that feels heavy, overworked, or simply āmeh.āIn this episode of Totally Abstracted, Iām talking about whatās really going on when a painting feels dead, and how these moments can actually be turning points in your creative process - if you know how to work with them.
What Youāll Learn:
Common reasons a painting loses its spark
How to reintroduce movement, energy and surprise
Simple, bold actions that can revive your work
Why sometimes the best move is to let go
Whether youāre in the middle of a frustrating piece right now or just want to feel less afraid of āruiningā your work, this episode will help you see stalled paintings in a whole new light.
This Weekās Creative Challenge:Take a painting youāve abandoned or feel is ādeadā and choose one bold action - scrape, veil, flip, change the palette - without worrying about āruiningā it. See what happens when you focus on bringing it back to life for you, not for anyone else.
Share your revived work in my Abstract Horizons community - Iād love to see it. You can find the details, and explore more of my resources, over on my website: https://www.michellesleeart.com.
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In this episode Iām exploring how to build your own personal symbol language as an abstract landscape artist.
Iām not talking about obvious icons or literal symbols - but the intuitive marks and gestures that show up again and again in your work. Those quiet shapes that seem to belong to you, even if youāve never named them.
I walk you through how to begin observing your own recurring marks and how to intentionally build on them - not to restrict your freedom, but to deepen your connection with your work.
This Weekās Creative Invitation
Pull out 6ā10 of your recent paintings or sketches and look for repeated gestures, marks, or shapes. Start a symbol journal where you record and experiment with the marks that feel like yours. Choose one of those marks and bring it into your next painting on purpose. See how it behaves when you let it lead the composition.If youāre inside my Abstract Horizons membership, Iād love for you to share an image of one of your pieces and tell us about a symbol or mark that keeps surfacing in your work. What might it represent for you? -
In this episode I explore the idea of the Golden Thread - that quiet, consistent element that runs through your body of work, even when your paintings seem wildly different. Youāll discover how to recognise recurring marks, moods or movements in your art, and how uncovering your thread can help you paint with greater clarity, confidence and intention - without losing the intuitive joy of abstract expression.
I share how my own thread emerged through repeated palette knife blending, soft vs. sharp edges, monochrome colour stories, and a rhythm of sweeping gestures and buried scribbles.
Youāll also get a four-step creative invitation to help you reflect on your own work and uncover the golden thread thatās already there - quietly guiding you, even when you donāt see it yet. I explore:
What the "golden thread" is - and why it matters
How to spot hidden patterns in your abstract landscapes
Why your signature style isnāt something you invent, but something you uncover
The power of quiet repetition and instinctive mark-makingHow reflecting on your past work can bring clarity to your future directionšØ Want to find out more? If youāre ready to move from hesitation to confidence in your abstract landscapes - and youād love support every step of the way - come and join us inside Abstract Horizons. Youāll find monthly masterclasses, painting demos, Q&As and a supportive community where you can grow your expressive style. Iād love to see you there.
š ā Join the membership here: https://www.skool.com/beyond-the-horizon-1551
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Today I'm talking about something every artist experiences - but not enough of us talk about: the gift hidden inside a āfailedā painting.
Weāve all been there - the piece that goes muddy, the colours that clash, the vision that gets lost somewhere between the first layer and the last. Itās tempting to write it off as a waste. But what if that unresolved, messy painting is actually one of your greatest teachers?
In this episode I explore how failed paintings:
Offer valuable insights into your instincts and process
Reveal your creative edges and blind spots
Act as compost - rich ground for future ideas to grow
Teach emotional resilience and creative freedom
Often become surprising turning points later down the line
Whether youāve got a growing stash of ānever againā canvases or just need reassurance that your messy middle has meaning - this oneās for you.
This week's challenge: Honour your failed work.
Dig out 2 or 3 unfinished or disliked pieces.
Choose one to respond to - not āfix,ā just explore. Add a layer, crop it or journal what you notice now.
Reflect on what it taught you. What was the experiment? Where did you stop short?
If youāre a member of my Abstract Horizons community, share your piece and tell us what hidden gift it held.
ā Not a member yet? Join here:- https://www.skool.com/abstract-horizonsEvery piece, even the ones you hide away, contributes to your artistic voice. So next time something falls flat, remember:
You havenāt failed. Youāve just planted something that might bloom later. -
Today I'm looking at what happens when your work meets other peopleās eyes. It can feel vulnerable when viewers see something completely different in your art - but what if that āmisunderstandingā is actually where the real magic happens?
In this episode youāll learn why abstract work is meant to invite projection, how viewers create new stories from your layers, and why you can trust that letting go of control often leads to the deepest connections.
A challenge for you:
1ļøā£ Show & Listen: Pick a piece youāve made and share it with someone you trust. Donāt explain - just ask them what they see and feel.
2ļøā£ Stay Open: Listen with curiosity. What surprises you?
3ļøā£ Reflect: Note what you learn about your work - and your feelings about letting go of control.
4ļøā£ Invite More: Post the piece online or in my membership. Ask: What does this evoke for you?
5ļøā£ Gather Insights: Let their responses remind you that your art is bigger than you - and thatās the magic.
Every painting you create holds your unique perspective - but it also becomes something new each time someone looks at it.
By letting go of the need to control every interpretation, you make space for connection, resonance and meaning you could never have imagined alone.
šØ Join Abstract Horizons
If youāre ready to move from hesitation to confidence in your abstract landscapes - and youād love support every step of the way - come and join us inside Abstract Horizons. Youāll find monthly masterclasses, painting demos, Q&As and a supportive community where you can grow your expressive style. Iād love to see you there.
š ā Join the membership here: https://www.skool.com/abstract-horizons
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Today Iām exploring something at the heart of expressive abstract landscapes: the profound connection between the artist and their work - and why trying to separate the two is not only impossible but can actually hold you back.
In this episode I unpack why your inner world - your memories, emotions and intuition - are always present in your art, whether you realise it or not.
I look at how abstract landscapes become powerful vessels for that inner essence, how viewers respond to authentic expression, and why vulnerability might just be the strongest creative decision you ever make.
Key Takeaways
Every painting is, in a sense, a self-portrait. It carries invisible threads connecting your inner world to what you put on the canvas.
Abstract landscapes hold space for layered meaning. Their freedom from literal representation allows your emotions and memories to come through in subtle, resonant ways.
Viewers sense authenticity. Even if they canāt articulate it, people respond to the human essence embedded in your work.
Sharing your process can deepen connection. Letting people glimpse your intentions, struggles or inspiration doesnāt ruin the mystery - it enriches it.
Donāt perform authenticity - be authentic. This isnāt about oversharing. Itās about letting your true curiosity, preoccupations, and feelings shape your work honestly.
Abstract Horizons membership
If youāre ready to move from hesitation to confidence in your abstract landscapes - and youād love support every step of the way - come and join us inside Abstract Horizons. Youāll find monthly masterclasses, painting demos, live Q&As and a supportive community where you can grow your expressive style without fear of overworking or second-guessing. Iād love to see you there.š Join the membership here
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In this weekās episode Iām opening up about something deeply personal and often overlooked: how art can become a nervous system ritual - not just a creative act, but a way to soothe, ground and reconnect with ourselves when life feels too noisy.
If youāve ever felt your mind spinning at 2am, caught in anxious loops, or weighed down by the constant pressure for āmoreā - you are not alone. I live with OCD, anxiety, and the kind of insomnia that loves to wake me up when I need rest the most. Over time Iāve discovered that my painting practice isnāt just about making landscapes - itās my sanctuary, my rebellion against overwhelm and a way to calm my restless mind. In the episode I share my thoughts on:
Art as a healing ritual - itās about more than the finished piece, itās a way to meet yourself with softness and presence.Repetition that can soothe - gentle, rhythmic marks or brushstrokes can help break the cycles of intrusive spiralling thoughts.Creating a sanctuary - small things like calming music, candlelight or a cup of tea can help your nervous system feel safe to rest.The beauty of imperfection - your art practice can teach you that beauty doesnāt live in rigid control, it lives in trust, flow and surrender.And if you're not already a member Iād love to welcome you inside my Abstract Horizons membership. Inside youāll get monthly masterclasses and demos and a wonderful community of like-minded artists - all exploring how to create work that feels personal and expressive.
āØ Come and make your art your sanctuary.
Join Abstract Horizons here -
In this episode Iām talking about something thatās been coming up for me recently. If you follow me on Instagram or YouTube, you mightāve seen the expressive portrait I shared this week - completely different from my usual soft, dreamy landscapes. So I wanted to share the story behind it. Why I sometimes feel the need to create raw, abstract portraitsā¦ and how, surprisingly, those portraits live alongside my landscapes as part of the same emotional and creative process.
The expressive portrait I shared this week (watch it now on YouTube)And if youād like to go deeper with me, youāll find my membership here. -
In this episode Iām sharing some of my favourite ways that abstract artists have used mixed media to bring texture, depth and emotional resonance into their landscapes. You'll also hear why mixed media is more than just technique. Itās a way to connect with emotion, with place and with whatās real beneath the surface.
The creative challenge this week is to make a small abstract landscape using at least one material you donāt usually use - collage, sand, pencil, ink, even something from nature. Let your materials guide you.
Want to share your work or get support? Come join us in my artist community on Skool!
š Join the Abstract Horizons Membership
Itās perfect if you love expressive, intuitive abstract landscapes. Youāll get access to monthly masterclasses, demos, challenges and a wonderfully warm group of fellow artists. -
In this weekās episode Iām exploring something thatās deceptively simple but deeply powerful: stillness.
Not just in life - but in your art practice.
As abstract landscape artists, we often focus on the doing - the brushstrokes, the scraping, the layering. But what if one of the most powerful tools we haveā¦ is the pause?
In this episode I explore:
- Why so many of us resist stillness in the creative process (me included!)- How I work fast - often too fast - and why Iām learning to let paintings breathe- The difference between fixing a painting and letting it unfold - The fear of incompletion - and why it's okay not to rush to resolution- How stillness is not a lack of progress, but a part of growth
This weekās creative challenge:
Pick a painting in progress and donāt paint on it.Instead sit with it. Let it speak to you.Observe. Reflect. Write.
Ask yourself:- What is this piece holding?- What does it want to say?- What part of me is showing up here?
And if you feel inspired share your stillness reflections or artwork with us inside the Abstract Horizons Community
Thank you for listening.
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In this episode of Totally Abstracted weāre exploring one of the most powerful tools in abstract landscape painting - colour as emotional expression.
Join me as I discuss how to intentionally choose colours that reflect your inner world and create mood-driven work that resonates deeply. Iāll share practical tips, reflective exercises and intuitive prompts to help you build a more personal relationship with colour - one that evolves with your life, memory, and emotional landscape.
š¼ Join the Abstract Horizons community
š Get the Unlock Your Unique Colour Story mini course
Until next time - trust your instincts, paint your mood and keep things Totally Abstracted.
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In this episode Iām exploring something we all wrestle with as artists - uncertainty. Whether itās not knowing where a painting is headed or questioning your voice, uncertainty can feel uncomfortableā¦ but it can also be one of the most freeing parts of the creative process.
I share personal stories from my own practice - including why scraping a painting back with a window squeegee was one of the most liberating things Iāve done - and how embracing the unknown has led me to deeper emotional truth in my abstract landscapes.
Youāll hear about:
Why uncertainty is essential to expressive artWhat stops us from leaning into not-knowingMy go-to techniques for inviting spontaneity and discoveryHow different materials (like inks, gouache and pastels) shift controlPractical tools to help you paint with freedom even when you're unsurešļø This Weekās Creative Challenge
Iām inviting you to get uncomfortable on purpose.
Start a piece without a plan.Use a colour you usually avoid.Work fast-and donāt correct.š„ Mentioned in this episode:
šŗ My new YouTube video working with acrylic inks, gouache & pastelsšæ My Abstract Horizons free membership: Monthly masterclasses, demos, painting challenges and a warm, encouraging group of creatives. -
In this episode I'm exploring what happens when we feel creatively pulled back toward something we thought weād left behind.
I share how Iām beginning to weave castles, boats and bridges into my abstract landscapes again, and what that spiral path means for creative growth. If you've ever felt the urge to revisit an old love in your art, this oneās for you.
š What I Talk About in This Episode:
Why Iām returning to figures and objects in my abstract work
How painting faces and florals taught me lasting lessons
The cyclical (not linear!) nature of creativity
Why mixing modes of expression adds richness, not confusion
āØ Key Takeaways:
The importance of staying open to old inspirations returning in new ways
Creativity spirals - not in a straight line
Revisiting old forms brings fresh insights
Working across styles and subjects strengthens your unique voice
Your artistic identity is expansive enough to hold it all
Play and experimentation nourish your creative growth
šØ This Weekās Creative Challenge:Create a small piece that blends your current style with something you havenāt done in a while. It could be:
A figure in an abstract landscape
A familiar object like a house, boat, or tree
A gesture toward something you used to love painting- like florals or interiors
Let it be loose, expressive and true to who you are now. Then, if youād like, come share it with others inside my Abstract Horizons community.
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In this episode of Totally Abstracted, I'm going deeper than artistic voice - I'm talking about artistic purpose. Why do we paint? Why do we come back to the canvas again and again, even when itās hard? This isnāt about technique or style. Itās about what our art means to us - and what we hope it offers to others.
I share how abstract landscape painting helps me uncover my own sense of purpose, and how abstract landscapes are a powerful way to express something more than just whatās visible. Whether it's about beauty, belonging, memory or healing - thereās something underneath it all that keeps us creating. Thatās what Iām exploring today.
I also offer a reflective prompt to help you connect with your own purpose through painting, and I talk about how tuning into that deeper why can guide your creative decisions and keep you going through thick and thin.
If this speaks to you, come join me inside my free Abstract Horizons membership:
https://www.skool.com/abstract-horizonsThanks so much for listening.
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In this episode of Totally Abstracted, Iām talking about something we all go through as artists - those quiet, uncomfortable times when inspiration seems to vanish.You know the feeling ā¦ standing in front of a canvas and just feeling nothing. No spark, no ideas - just stillness. It can be scary, especially when making art is usually how we process life.But Iāve come to realise these slow, quiet seasons arenāt creative failures - theyāre actually part of the process. Theyāre times of gathering, resting and gently reconnecting with what matters most.What I Talk About:
Why creative stillness is actually a normal (and necessary) part of the artistās cycleHow to shift from pushing to noticingWays to ease back into creating - no pressure, no big expectationsHow simple things like changing your tools, working on scrap paper, or noticing the light outside can helpWhy comparison and social media can be unhelpful when youāre in a quiet seasonThis Weekās Creative Challenge:Just spend 10 minutes making art with no plan or pressure.Pick up whateverās nearby - paint, pencil, anything - and just play. Smear, scribble, layer, tear. Let it be messy. Let it be fun. Let it be nothing at all.And if you feel like sharing, Iād love to see what comes out of it in the Abstract Horizons community.Links:
šØ Join my free Abstract Horizons group: ā https://www.skool.com/abstract-horizonsā šø Follow me on Instagram: @michellesleeart - Montre plus
