The Painting Experience Blog

Why We Don’t Interpret Process Paintings

Explore what happens when you don't interpret your painting

The most interesting thing to paint is what you don’t know about yourself. The true meaning of the painting is beyond any story you can expect or imagine. We are all well trained in interpretation. […]

Awaken Your Image Maker!

Intuitive painting awakens your internal image maker

If you don’t know where to begin a process painting, ask yourself: What would I paint if I really let myself feel? Sensing what to paint is so simple that we often disregard it. As you […]

Five Ways Self-Compassion Supports Your Painting Practice

How self-compassion supports process painting

When we are able to soothe ourselves -- to take a risk and continue painting anyway -- we can experience great relief from the confines of fear and perfectionism. In the first post in this […]

Creative Discontent : A Talk by Stewart Cubley

Labyrinth at Breitenbush Hot Springs, by Peter Paul Rubens

Stewart Cubley and Annie Rousseau recently facilitated the seventeenth annual Painting Experience retreat at Breitenbush Hot Springs in the Oregon Cascades. This year, Stewart brought back several talks recorded live during the morning sharing circles. We thought you'd enjoy […]

Annie Rousseau Talks About Ocean Resort & The Potential of a Creative Life

Senior Painting Experience facilitator Annie Rousseau

One of the many things we love about having a new blog is that we can now introduce you to the wonderful folks who make The Painting Experience possible. Last week, Caroline McCartie sat down for an interview with senior Painting […]

Creative Destruction

The practice of creative destruction is an important part of process painting

  It is important to learn to use destructive energy in a creative way; if you don’t, it will turn against you. An act of destruction usually brings a few seconds of pleasure, and this […]

What Kids Say About Process Painting

Bird from Kids Process Painting in Class

  I learned that if you just feel free, wonderful things will happen. I’m astounded by how eagerly children take to process painting -- and by the joy they discover from trusting their own internal […]

Painting Outside the Lines

Painting Outside the Lines

It is time to reclaim that which every child knows and is taught to forget: the essential right to create without interference or shame. In creative or spontaneous painting, the defining moment is when you face the […]

Is Your Painting Finished?

Exploring levels of completion at a Painting Experience workshop

You are finished when the painting is finished inside you. What comes after you believe you are finished may be the most important time in your painting. Levels of Completion Every process painting has cycles […]

Paint Your Own Path

Painting bright patterns at an Esalen Painting Experience retreat ( from The Painting Experience Blog)

Travelers, there is no path. Paths are made by walking. ~ Antonio Machado Often we are strongly attracted to a form or image but afraid to paint it. “It would be too stupid,” “I could […]