Episode 123: What to Do with Abandoned Canvases

Got a graveyard of abandoned canvases in your art studio? You’re not alone. Every artist has a pile of half-finished or fugly paintings collecting dust. But here’s the good news: they’re not failures. They’re opportunities.

In this episode of the Honest Art® Podcast, I’m giving you 9 creative, cathartic, and sometimes rebellious ways to deal with those ghost canvases. From painting over them to cutting them into journals or even burning them in a ritual of release … you’ll never look at abandoned work the same way again.

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Resources mentioned:

• Honest Art Painting Workshop - Austin, TX October 22-26, 2025 : 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

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• Watch this full episode on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMquJfuMsSg0fr46BRdia1cWd-81GThzF

• For a full list of show notes and links, check out my blog: www.jodieking.com/podcast