Totally Abstracted

In this episode of Totally Abstracted, I explore colour as instinct, not rules or formulas. It’s 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 “emotional home palette” of cool blues and violets, colours linked to memory, early mornings, healing and identity.You’ll hear about:The difference between painting from presence vs. painting from habitWhy colour theory is a map, not the terrainHow intuition guides palette choices more accurately than logicThe emotional “weather patterns” behind your favourite coloursHow to use colour to reconnect with your work when you feel stuckI also offer a gentle prompt: choose your palette first and let it lead the painting. Listen now and and trust your colours. And if you’re 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:👉 https://www.skool.com/beyond-the-horizon-1551

In this episode of Totally Abstracted I’m exploring what I call The Layered Mindset, a way of thinking that’s 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 I’ve learned that this stage isn’t a mistake; it’s where the real art begins. Layers aren’t just physical paint, they’re 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 you’re 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:👉 https://www.skool.com/beyond-the-horizon-1551

In this episode of Totally Abstracted, I’m 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? That’s 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 artist’s story, a new phase of creativity and courage, where we embrace uncertainty, surrender control and allow the real magic to happen. If you’re curious about the catalyst wedge I always mention, or want to explore some of the tools that have shaped my own abstract landscape practice, you’ll find them all listed on my Studio Favourites page on my website. They’re the materials I genuinely use and love.Listen in, and maybe this week you’ll discover the tool that changes how you paint.

Season 2 of Totally Abstracted begins. The theme is “What’s in Your Expressive Artist’s Toolkit?” - 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 what’s changed since Season 1, how my work and membership have grown, and what to expect in the episodes ahead. And if you’re 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:👉 https://www.skool.com/beyond-the-horizon-1551

Ever had a painting that just… flatlined?It’s not that it’s bad. It’s just lifeless. The spark that was there at the start has vanished, leaving something that feels heavy, overworked, or simply “meh.”In this episode of Totally Abstracted, I’m talking about what’s 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 You’ll Learn:Common reasons a painting loses its sparkHow to reintroduce movement, energy and surpriseSimple, bold actions that can revive your workWhy sometimes the best move is to let goWhether you’re in the middle of a frustrating piece right now or just want to feel less afraid of “ruining” your work, this episode will help you see stalled paintings in a whole new light.This Week’s Creative Challenge:Take a painting you’ve abandoned or feel is “dead” and choose one bold action - scrape, veil, flip, change the palette - without worrying about “ruining” 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 - I’d love to see it. You can find the details, and explore more of my resources, over on my website: https://www.michellesleeart.com.

In this episode I’m exploring how to build your own personal symbol language as an abstract landscape artist.I’m 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 you’ve 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 Week’s Creative Invitation Pull out 6–10 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 you’re inside my Abstract Horizons membership, I’d 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. You’ll 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.You’ll also get a four-step creative invitation to help you reflect on your own work and uncover the golden thread that’s already there - quietly guiding you, even when you don’t see it yet. I explore:What the "golden thread" is - and why it mattersHow to spot hidden patterns in your abstract landscapesWhy your signature style isn’t something you invent, but something you uncoverThe power of quiet repetition and instinctive mark-makingHow reflecting on your past work can bring clarity to your future direction🎨 Want to find out more? If you’re ready to move from hesitation to confidence in your abstract landscapes - and you’d love support every step of the way - come and join us inside Abstract Horizons. You’ll find monthly masterclasses, painting demos, Q&As and a supportive community where you can grow your expressive style. I’d love to see you there.👉 ⁠Join the membership here: https://www.skool.com/beyond-the-horizon-1551

Today I'm talking about something every artist experiences - but not enough of us talk about: the gift hidden inside a “failed” painting.We’ve 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. It’s 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 processReveal your creative edges and blind spotsAct as compost - rich ground for future ideas to growTeach emotional resilience and creative freedomOften become surprising turning points later down the lineWhether you’ve got a growing stash of “never again” canvases or just need reassurance that your messy middle has meaning - this one’s 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 “fix,” 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 you’re a member of my Abstract Horizons community, share your piece and tell us what hidden gift it held.→ 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 haven’t failed. You’ve just planted something that might bloom later.

Today I'm looking at what happens when your work meets other people’s eyes. It can feel vulnerable when viewers see something completely different in your art - but what if that “misunderstanding” is actually where the real magic happens?In this episode you’ll 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:1️⃣ Show & Listen: Pick a piece you’ve made and share it with someone you trust. Don’t explain - just ask them what they see and feel.2️⃣ Stay Open: Listen with curiosity. What surprises you?3️⃣ Reflect: Note what you learn about your work - and your feelings about letting go of control.4️⃣ Invite More: Post the piece online or in my membership. Ask: What does this evoke for you?5️⃣ Gather Insights: Let their responses remind you that your art is bigger than you - and that’s 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.🎨 Join Abstract HorizonsIf you’re ready to move from hesitation to confidence in your abstract landscapes - and you’d love support every step of the way - come and join us inside Abstract Horizons. You’ll find monthly masterclasses, painting demos, Q&As and a supportive community where you can grow your expressive style. I’d love to see you there.👉 ⁠Join the membership here: https://www.skool.com/abstract-horizons

Today I’m 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 TakeawaysEvery 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 can’t 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 doesn’t ruin the mystery - it enriches it.Don’t perform authenticity - be authentic. This isn’t about oversharing. It’s about letting your true curiosity, preoccupations, and feelings shape your work honestly.Abstract Horizons membershipIf you’re ready to move from hesitation to confidence in your abstract landscapes - and you’d love support every step of the way - come and join us inside Abstract Horizons. You’ll 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. I’d love to see you there.👉 Join the membership here

In this week’s episode I’m 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 you’ve ever felt your mind spinning at 2am, caught in anxious loops, or weighed down by the constant pressure for “more” - 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 I’ve discovered that my painting practice isn’t just about making landscapes - it’s 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 - it’s about more than the finished piece, it’s 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 doesn’t live in rigid control, it lives in trust, flow and surrender.And if you're not already a member I’d love to welcome you inside my Abstract Horizons membership. Inside you’ll get monthly masterclasses and demos and a wonderful community of like-minded artists - all exploring how to create work that feels personal and expressive.✨ Come and make your art your sanctuary.Join Abstract Horizons here

In this episode I’m talking about something that’s been coming up for me recently. If you follow me on Instagram or YouTube, you might’ve 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 portraits… 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 you’d like to go deeper with me, you’ll find my membership here.

In this episode I’m 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. It’s a way to connect with emotion, with place and with what’s real beneath the surface. The creative challenge this week is to make a small abstract landscape using at least one material you don’t 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!👉 Join the Abstract Horizons MembershipIt’s perfect if you love expressive, intuitive abstract landscapes. You’ll get access to monthly masterclasses, demos, challenges and a wonderfully warm group of fellow artists.

In this week’s episode I’m exploring something that’s 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 have… 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 I’m 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 growthThis week’s creative challenge: Pick a painting in progress and don’t 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.

In this episode of Totally Abstracted we’re 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. I’ll 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.🖼 Join the Abstract Horizons community🎓 Get the Unlock Your Unique Colour Story mini courseUntil next time - trust your instincts, paint your mood and keep things Totally Abstracted.

In this episode I’m exploring something we all wrestle with as artists - uncertainty. Whether it’s not knowing where a painting is headed or questioning your voice, uncertainty can feel uncomfortable… 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 I’ve done - and how embracing the unknown has led me to deeper emotional truth in my abstract landscapes.You’ll 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 unsure🖌️ This Week’s Creative ChallengeI’m inviting you to get uncomfortable on purpose.Start a piece without a plan.Use a colour you usually avoid.Work fast-and don’t correct.🎥 Mentioned in this episode:📺 My new YouTube video working with acrylic inks, gouache & pastels🌿 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 we’d left behind.I share how I’m 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 one’s for you.💭 What I Talk About in This Episode:Why I’m returning to figures and objects in my abstract workHow painting faces and florals taught me lasting lessonsThe cyclical (not linear!) nature of creativityWhy mixing modes of expression adds richness, not confusion✨ Key Takeaways:The importance of staying open to old inspirations returning in new waysCreativity spirals - not in a straight lineRevisiting old forms brings fresh insightsWorking across styles and subjects strengthens your unique voiceYour artistic identity is expansive enough to hold it allPlay and experimentation nourish your creative growth🎨 This Week’s Creative Challenge:Create a small piece that blends your current style with something you haven’t done in a while. It could be:A figure in an abstract landscapeA familiar object like a house, boat, or treeA gesture toward something you used to love painting- like florals or interiorsLet it be loose, expressive and true to who you are now. Then, if you’d like, come share it with others inside my Abstract Horizons community.

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 it’s hard? This isn’t about technique or style. It’s 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 what’s visible. Whether it's about beauty, belonging, memory or healing - there’s something underneath it all that keeps us creating. That’s what I’m 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.

In this episode of Totally Abstracted, I’m talking about something we all go through as artists - those quiet, uncomfortable times when inspiration seems to vanish.You know the feeling … 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 I’ve come to realise these slow, quiet seasons aren’t creative failures - they’re actually part of the process. They’re 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 artist’s 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 you’re in a quiet seasonThis Week’s Creative Challenge:Just spend 10 minutes making art with no plan or pressure.Pick up whatever’s 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, I’d love to see what comes out of it in the Abstract Horizons community.Links:🎨 Join my free Abstract Horizons group: ⁠https://www.skool.com/abstract-horizons⁠📸 Follow me on Instagram: @michellesleeart

Welcome back to Totally Abstracted, the podcast for artists who want to make expressive, intuitive abstract landscape art that feels deeply personal and unapologetically true to them. I’m Michelle, and in this episode, I'm exploring something that touches all of us at one point or another — confidence. Or more accurately, the slow building of it.✨ I’ll share how returning to cold wax medium has stirred up thoughts about trusting ourselves, silencing our inner critics, and allowing our voice to evolve over time.I talk about:- Why confidence rarely arrives before we start creating- How a cold wax medium piece helped me let go of “getting it right”- A personal story about winning an art competition I almost didn’t enter- Why comparing ourselves to others only sabotages our growth🖼️ Mentioned in the episode:- The cold wax painting that helped me feel free & the one that won the competition- This week’s YouTube video- My free artist community, Abstract Horizons💡 The creative prompt from this episode:Think back to a medium or method that once made you feel free — even just a little.What would happen if you revisited it now, with everything you’ve learned since?And what would you create if no one else would ever see it?🎧 If you enjoyed this episode…Please consider leaving a review, sharing with a fellow artist, or tagging me on Instagram @michellesleeart. Your support means the world and helps more artists find their way here.Until next time — trust the process, trust yourself, and stay Totally Abstracted.