Ever get to that point in a painting where nothing’s working the way you thought it would? Where the idea is still in there somewhere, but the canvas isn’t cooperating?

That’s not a mistake. That’s the part where things get real.

In this episode of the Savvy Painter podcast, we’re talking about the Exploration phase of the Creative Spiral. The phase most artists dread, not because they’re doing it wrong, but because it asks them to stay with what’s actually happening in the painting. Not the plan. Not the ideal image in their head.

 Just… this. Right here.

It’s uncomfortable, often messy, and full of not-knowing. But it’s also where your voice starts to take shape, not as an idea, but in the act of making.

🎧 Episode Map
[2:55] Why your painting doesn’t match the idea in your head (and why that’s normal)
[5:45] What “not knowing” really means, and why your brain fights it
[9:50] Intuitive painting isn’t winging it. There is a plan. It just looks different.
[12:40] The experimenter’s crisis: this isn’t what I thought it would look like
[15:10] The two thoughts that tend to paralyze painters in this phase
[17:30] Why looking bad might be a good sign
[20:00] This is where your voice starts to show up—in motion, not in theory
[23:45] What to do when you have no idea what to do next
[26:00] Try this instead: make it truer, not prettier
[28:30] Exploration isn’t aimless. It’s a choice to stay with what’s here, even if it’s unclear

🎨 For Your Studio Wall
Some reminders worth keeping close:

• “Messy isn’t the opposite of skill. It’s how skill gets built.”
• “The painting gets honest when you do.”
• “You’re not supposed to know before you do the thing.”
• “It’s not a straight line, and it’s not supposed to be.”

What to Bring Into the Studio With You
Because just listening isn’t the point

• A willingness to get lost, on purpose
• Permission to make 20 versions no one ever sees
• Curiosity over control
• The guts to keep going when things look weird (because they will)

💬 Talk to Me
What’s your relationship with the messy middle?

Leave a comment on Instagram (@savvypainterpodcast) or DM me and tell me how you know you’re in the exploration phase.

You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out in isolation. This is what we practice inside Growth Studio, week after week.

Support the show

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. ❤️