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What to Do with Abandoned Canvases

If you’re an artist, chances are you’ve got a graveyard of canvases lurking in the corner; half-finished, fugly as hell, and haunting you every time you step into your studio. Well, it’s time to stop letting those ghosts win. 

Here’s the truth: those “failures” aren’t failures at all. They’re invitations. Invitations to experiment, let go, laugh, and maybe even discover your best work yet.

In this episode of the Honest Art® Podcast, I walk you through 9 different things you can do with your abandoned canvases … from painting over them to cutting them up, sanding them down, and turning them into journals, or even (yes) burning them in a glorious ritual of release.

Turning Ghosts into Gold 

Sometimes the best art doesn’t come from a blank canvas, but from the layers, scars, and so-called mistakes underneath. Whether you choose to resurrect, repurpose, or flat-out torch those canvases, you’ll leave this episode seeing them in a whole new light. 

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why painting over old work can lead to magic surprises
• How to turn “fugly” art into journals, gift tags, or even coasters
• The cathartic release of literally burning what no longer serves you

Until next time, y’all!

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Have a question for Jodie? Ask it here: https://forms.gle/hxrVu4oL4PVCKwZm6 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so I can keep bringing peeps all the need-to-know about Honest Art®. We artists have to stick together, right? 

Interested in being a guest on a future episode of Honest Art®? Email me at amy@jodieking.com!

Resources Mentioned: 

• Honest Art Painting Workshop in Austin, TX: https://jodieking.com/honest-art-workshop-austin-october-2025 
• Honest Art Society Monthly Membership: https://www.jodiekingart.com/has 
• Electric Sander: https://amzn.to/3V8e9xh 
• Exacto Knife: https://amzn.to/3Vvqhsp 
• Art From The Streets non-profit organization: https://artfromthestreets.org/ 
• Purchase Jodie’s Honest Art Journal here: https://shop.jodieking.com/collections/jodie-king-merch/products/the-honest-art-mixed-media-journal 
• Gesso Surface Prep Medium: https://amzn.to/3JTRu5r 
• Episode 103: The Texture Toolbox: Tips on How to Elevate Your Art with Texture: https://jodieking.com/episode-103-the-texture-toolbox-tips-on-how-to-elevate-your-art-with-texture/ 
• Episode 16: How to Get Out of the Fugly Stage of Art: https://jodieking.com/episode-16-how-to-get-out-of-the-fugly-stage-of-art/

• Have a question for Jodie? Ask it here: https://forms.gle/hxrVu4oL4PVCKwZm6 
• How are you liking the Honest Art® Podcast? Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform and let us know!    
• Watch this full episode on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMquJfuMsSg0fr46BRdia1cWd-81GThzF

Want more from Jodie?

Learn from Jodie:

🎨The Color Course for Rebels: https://www.jodiekingart.com/ccfr  

🎨Honest Art Society: https://www.jodiekingart.com/has 

🎨Studio Elite: https://www.jodiekingart.com/studioelite  

See some of Jodie’s favorite resources:

✍🏻Check out my free guide on how to hang and wire a painting: https://www.jodiekingart.com/how-to-hang-a-painting 

✍🏻Get my top 10 studio tools here: https://www.jodiekingart.com/10-studio-tools-opt-in 

✍🏻Learn 5 things they don’t teach you in art school: https://jodieking.com/work-with-me#free-rescources.0  

✍🏻See Jodie’s favorite things: https://www.amazon.com/shop/jodie_king_ 

🧘🏼‍♀️Guided Meditation for Creative Clarity: https://www.jodiekingart.com/guided-meditation