Why You Can't Finish a Painting (And What to Do About It)

Savvy Painter Podcast with Antrese Wood

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21d ago 26:32

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You look around your studio and see them everywhere — canvases turned to the wall, paintings shoved under the bed, works-in-progress stacked in corners. Each one started with complete conviction that this time would be different. But somewhere around the messy middle, you bailed. Again.

And now you're wondering: What's wrong with me?

Nothing. You're not lazy, you're not lacking discipline, and you're not broken. You're doing something that makes complete sense when you understand what's actually happening underneath the behavior.

In this episode:

The moment when every painting goes sideways — and why your brain mistakes that moment for failure
What you're actually avoiding when you start a new canvas (hint: it's not the painting)
Why "finished" doesn't mean what you think it means — and how that misunderstanding keeps you stuck
The real cost of a studio full of unfinished work (it's more than just clutter)
Six concrete strategies to break the pattern and actually complete something

What to expect:
A clear-eyed look at why you abandon paintings, what finishing actually requires, and how to build the muscle to stay with your work when it gets uncomfortable. No pep talks. Just the truth about what's happening — and what to do about it.

This episode's for you if:

Your studio is filled with more unfinished work than completed pieces
You keep telling yourself "this one will be different" — and it never is
You're tired of starting over every time a painting hits the hard part
You want to finish something for once, even if it's not perfect

Do you spend more time thinking about making art than actually making it? Start things you never finish? Make work and then stack it against the wall, facing inward, so you don't have to look at it?

If any of that sounds familiar, I'd love to chat.

Click here: savvypainter.com/survey to tell me what's going on. If it seems like I need more info, I'll reach out to schedule a call.

Thanks so much!

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And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

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