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 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 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.

1. Dig out 2 or 3 unfinished or disliked pieces.

2. Choose one to respond to - not “fix,” just explore. Add a layer, crop it or journal what you notice now.

3. Reflect on what it taught you. What was the experiment? Where did you stop short?

4. 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-horizons

Every 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.