Why Ed Sheeran’s Paintings Inspire Me

When I first saw Ed Sheeran’s colourful, chaotic canvases — splashes of paint hurled across the surface with unapologetic joy — I smiled. Not because they were technically perfect, or because they conformed to any accepted standard of “fine art.” But because they weren’t trying to.

They were alive. Free. Honest. And deeply human.

Like Ed says in his Telegraph interview, “I paint when I’m not working on a record, just to do something creative with my brain.” That line struck a chord in me. As someone who creates both with words and with colour, I know that feeling — the itch to move energy, to express something beyond language, to reconnect with joy and meaning when the world becomes heavy.

What touches me most is his humility. “It doesn’t make me an artist,” he says. “But I love making art.” That’s it, isn’t it? That’s the key. He paints because it feels good. Because it brings him alive. Because it reminds him (and us) that art doesn’t have to be for galleries or critics. Sometimes, it’s just a lifeline back to yourself.

There’s something beautiful about seeing someone who has already “made it” in one field turn to painting not for profit, not for praise, but for pleasure. A pop superstar who’s used to stadiums and streaming numbers, now flicking house paint at a canvas like a kid set free with a box of crayons. Isn’t that what creativity should be?

His work reminds me of Pollock — yes — but with the spirit of someone unburdened by ego.

His work reminds me of Pollock — yes — but with the spirit of someone unburdened by ego. It’s raw, intuitive, playful. Not trying to be profound. And yet, in that very freedom, it becomes something profound.

Watching Ed splash paint and laugh on Instagram, I see a mirror of my own studio practice — that sense of wonder, mess, and magic. Sometimes the best art comes from letting go. Letting it drip. Letting it fly. Letting yourself feel.

In a world obsessed with labels and perfection, Ed Sheeran’s joyful, messy paintings remind me that we are all allowed to make art. We are all allowed to be beginners, to play, to splash and scribble and smear and feel better for it.

Thank you, Ed, for sharing your joy with the world.

Because maybe being “an artist” isn’t about what you call yourself.

Maybe it’s about how much soul you pour into the canvas — and how alive it makes you feel

Which is why I love to play my guitar when I’m not painting. To paraphrase Ed. “It doesn’t make me a musician. But I love making music.”

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Spring Again — A Burst of Joy on Canvas
By Cassandra Gaisford, The Joyful Artist

There’s something beautifully rebellious about creating for no other reason than fun. No rules. No pressure. Just passion, play, and paint. That’s how Spring Again came to life.

This painting began as a spontaneous celebration of blossoms—their wild arrival, their joyful mess, their unapologetic beauty. I was inspired by that first breath of spring: when the air softens, the light shifts, and nature begins her performance anew. Pink petals, golden warmth, and little explosions of green and life—it all found its way into the work.

Spring Again
Acrylic on canvas with passion
76 cm x 76 cm x 4 cm
SOLD

Painted with nothing but instinct and joy, Spring Again channels the spirit of abstract expressionism and action painting. I let the brush—and gravity—lead the way, following the lineage of artists like Damien Hirst and the trailblazing Jackson Pollock. Their work gave me permission to get messy. To trust the movement. To feel rather than think.

Interestingly, I wasn’t the only one recently moved to splash colour around in this way. As I shared above, did you know Ed Sheeran paints for fun? He describes it as a creative outlet when he’s not writing music. “I don’t see it as art,” he said, “but I love the way it makes me feel.” That deeply resonated with me. When I painted Spring Again, I felt lighter. More alive. More myself.

There was no plan to sell the painting—it was created purely for the joy of it. But sometimes, joy is contagious. Spring Again found a new home almost as soon as it dried. And that, to me, is the greatest compliment of all: that someone felt what I felt.

Now it hangs in a serene, light-filled home, bringing energy and beauty to the space—like an eternal bouquet captured in time. A reminder that spring isn’t just a season. It’s a feeling. A fresh start. A riot of colour after the quiet.

If you’re longing for a little renewal in your own space, perhaps it’s time to let art do what it does best—breathe joy into the everyday.

With love and colour,
Cassandra
The Joyful Artist

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PS – Want to see more playful, blossom-inspired works? Visit my online gallery or come see me in the studio. Let’s make room for more joy.

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