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I tend to move through life in a huge hurry. I’m always rushing out the door on the verge of being late for work and speed-walking to the bus stop. Then, there’s a good chance I’ll spend my time commuting staring at my phone. (I’m trying to break this habit, but unfortunately, it hasn’t happened overnight.)

However, if we actually look up from our screens and take the time to engage with the world around us, we might realize just how much beauty is hiding in the mundane. And if you need inspiration to be on the lookout for gorgeous everyday moments, you’ve come to the right place. Bored Panda has searched the internet and found stunning photos of “accidental art pieces” people have spotted, so you’ll find the loveliest ones below. Enjoy scrolling through this unintentional art gallery, and remember to upvote the photos that speak to you!

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    Art imitates life. And if you look closely enough, art also is life. The photos from this list prove that there can be beauty in the most mundane and random moments if we’re open-minded enough to see it. Haven’t you ever had to take a moment and just stare at the sky in awe after noticing a stunning sunset or amazing rainbow? Or what about a full moon that captivates the attention of everyone out for a stroll on a winter evening?

    And if you’re wondering how to start spotting art in your everyday life, Total Balance has some suggestions. First, they recommend slowing down. It’s hard to notice details when you’re constantly rushing all the time. But if you start walking slower on your commute to work, look up from your phone when sitting on the train or stop to have a short conversation with the barista at your favorite coffee shop, you might suddenly become aware of how much beauty surrounds you all the time.

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    #5

    A Picture I Took Of A Swan Accidentally Came Out Like A Monet

    A white swan glides through pond reflections, creating an accidental art scene amidst lush greenery.

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    #6

    Splitting Firewood And Found A Piece Resembling The Sky In "The Starry Night"

    Swirled wood patterns on driftwood resembling accidental art.

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    It’s also a good idea to be open to new connections with others if you’re looking for more beauty in your life. When we allow our relationships with loved ones to grow deeper or we invite new friendships into our lives, we’ll experience beautiful moments that we wouldn’t have had otherwise.

    And don’t be afraid to look for art in the simplest of circumstances. Even the meals you eat can be full of beauty, whether that’s from the fresh, seasonal ingredients that reflect where you are in the world or a specific culture, or the conversations you had with friends and family while enjoying the dinner. A moment doesn’t have to be life-changing to be inspiring.  

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    #7

    My Window’s View Looks Like A Painting

    A vibrant landscape viewed through a window, creating an accidental art effect with fields and mountains.

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    In the same vein, even your own body can be a beautiful expression of art. If you’ve been going to the gym a lot recently or running consistently, the progress from all of your hard work can be incredibly rewarding. Regardless of whether or not there’s been a difference in your physical appearance, your health and your mindset can see a massive improvement from taking care of your body. Don’t be afraid to celebrate your accomplishments, even if they seem small.  

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    #11

    Birdpoop Masterpiece At The Parking Lot

    Bird-shaped stain on car window creating accidental art.

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    George D
    Community Member
    13 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Bird was here" in the same vein as "Kilroy was here" for those that remember this.

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    #12

    Sun Lion

    A cat sleeps on a bed, surrounded by colorful accidental art created by sunlight reflections.

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    George D
    Community Member
    13 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Astral projecting cats are the coolest, until they want to do it at 4 in the morning on Sunday night.

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    And of course, one of the most stunning aspects of our world is nature and how it changes over time. Living in a place that experiences four seasons has been such a blessing to me over the past few years, and I am constantly in awe of how much my neighborhood changes every few months. From being cold, grey and covered in snow to bright green and blooming with about 10 hours of sunlight, it’s really magical to see how vast the changes between seasons are.

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    #13

    Snowflakes On My Car Windshield

    Accidental art pic of snowflake patterns on glass with a blurred tree in the background.

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    13 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Getting flashbacks of 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies' from Fantasia.

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    #14

    I Took This Picture Of Some Ducks And It Looks Like Part Of A Painting

    Four white ducks on a snowy surface, creating an accidental-art picture with their subtle contrast against the background.

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    #15

    Looks Like A Painting Almost

    Graffiti-covered wall with a window overlooking a foggy field, an example of accidental art.

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    Dusty's mom
    Community Member
    13 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The beauty of nature. opposed to the flaking and disintegrating frame of the building, should inspire essays!

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    Life and business coach David Waweru has also shared some advice on his site for finding beauty in everyday moments. And one of his first tips is to make an effort to be present in all aspects of your life. It’s so easy to go on autopilot or to simply slip into habits, but the best thing we can do to find more beauty in our lives is to stay alert. Take notice of how the birds in the trees are behaving, and don’t ignore that new mural that’s been painted in your neighborhood. You just might appreciate everything you start to see.  

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    #16

    A Snail Made The Image Of A Face On The Greenhouse

    Unexpected artistic pattern formed by water streaks on a metal surface, resembling abstract accidental art.

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    13 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The long straight nose and pointed eye make it look sort of feline.

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    You might also want to channel your inner child and become extremely curious to spot more beauty in your life. Kids look at the world with wonder, but there’s no reason why adults can’t do the same! Engage all of your senses, and take in everything around you. Appreciate the incredible smell that floods your nostrils when you walk past a bakery, and find joy in hearing the giggles of children playing with their parents in the park. Life is beautiful; don’t forget that. 

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    #20

    My Dad's Kitchen Burned Up And This Melted Timer Looks Like A Salvador Dali Painting (Everybody Was Ok)

    Abstract kitchen timer resembling a human ear, exemplifying accidental art.

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    Finally, Waweru recommends keeping a journal to make note of all the beautiful things you notice in your life and the world around you. It might be hard to think of many examples at first, but once you build the habit of showing gratitude for the gorgeous flowers outside your office or the adorable cats that love visiting your apartment building, you’ll start to notice even more and more beautiful moments in your life.  

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    #22

    Tried To Take A Picture Of The Capitol Building In Dc Through The Pouring Rain

    Traffic lights blurred through a rainy windshield, creating accidental art.

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    #24

    Dropped My Plate In The Kitchen, Inadvertently Made Art

    Cracked round plate forming tree-like pattern on wooden floor, an example of accidental art.

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    Dusty's mom
    Community Member
    12 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That can be affixed to a background and hung on your wall. Looks like a full moon behind a tree.

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    Are you enjoying this "accidental art” gallery, pandas? Keep upvoting the photos that speak to you, and let us know in the comments what you think are some of the most beautiful moments in the mundanity of life. Then, if you’re looking for even more surprisingly artistic photos that people have managed to capture, we’ve got another Bored Panda list on the same topic right here

    #25

    My Camera Had A Weird Glitch And Made Trippy Water

    Colorful water stream creating accidental art in a kitchen sink.

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    #26

    The Aurora Last Night Kinda Looks Like The Scream

    Ethereal green light pattern resembling a face in the night sky, an example of accidental art pics.

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    13 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    H.P. Lovecraft's Great Old Ones, returning from Beyond, from the icy depths beyond the universe.

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    #27

    This Cracked Windshield Looks Like A Van Gogh

    Shattered glass window creating an accidental art effect with a view of a house and garden.

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    Dusty's mom
    Community Member
    12 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This reminds me of the beautiful miniature mosaics that wealthy 17th century people used to purchase on European tours.

    #28

    The View From My Air B&b Looks Like A Landscape Paintng

    The View From My Air B&b Looks Like A Landscape Paintng

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    Dusty's mom
    Community Member
    12 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So glad there's no curtains. Just a blind that can be pulled down after dark.

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    #29

    The Trees Cast A Shadow That Looks Like An Artistic Portrait

    Silhouette of a face-shaped shadow on a building, creating accidental art.

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    #33

    Looks Amazing, Seeing Something Like This For The First Time

    Looks Amazing, Seeing Something Like This For The First Time

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    Dusty's mom
    Community Member
    12 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe he wasn't so "mad" after all, and simply painted real things. At least he saw the beauty of them and painted them for posterity.

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    #35

    Does Your Printer Have This Feature?

    Stack of paper curled inside a copier, creating an accidental art pattern.

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    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    12 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's a reason there's a whole scene in Office space dedicated to the destruction of a printer. They are literally the worst.

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    #37

    My Windshield This Morning

    Frost patterns on a window create an accidental-art effect, resembling a forest of intricate ice sculptures.

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    13 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The White Witch has returned to Narnia! Quick, someone run get Aslan!

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    #42

    I Took A Bad, Blurry Picture Of The Moon And It Looks Like A Beautiful Painting

    Street lights and a moon create an accidental art scene against a blue evening sky.

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    #44

    Using A Telephoto Lens In The Rain Made This Photo Look Like A Painting

    Scenic waterfall view surrounded by lush greenery and a serene river, resembling an accidental art composition.

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    #45

    The Sunset And The Trees Makes My Bathroom Window Look Like It’s Painted

    A frosted window with warm, glowing sunset light creating accidental art patterns.

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    #47

    Canon 5d Died While Writing To The Card. I Was Told To Put It Here

    Glitched forest scene showing accidental-art effect with bare trees and a rocky stream.

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    #51

    The Paint On The Cabinet In My Garage Started Coming Off Today In An Unusual Pattern

    Peeling paint on a refrigerator door resembling accidental art with abstract shapes and patterns.

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    #53

    Someone Dropped A Thing Of Worcestershire Sauce At Work Yesterday And It Looks Like A Moose

    A spilled liquid resembling abstract art on a white floor, showcasing accidental art pics.

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    #55

    I Accidentally Dropped My Phone While Taking A Picture. The Result Was... (Mildly) Interesting

    Abstract accidental art with blurry white shapes in a grid pattern.

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    #57

    This Is Hanging In My Boss's Office. Ink Cartridge Exploded

    Vibrant accidental art pics featuring abstract purple and pink paint patterns on a wall.

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    #61

    The Cloud Formation Today In Sydney Is Surreal

    Abstract cloud patterns in the sky resembling accidental art above rooftop silhouettes.

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    #62

    The Cloth I Used To Wipe My Brush While Painting A Landscape

    Framed abstract artwork resembling accidental art with blue and brown hues.

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    UncleJohn3000
    Community Member
    41 minutes ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Add an enigmatic name and it's fine art! How about "The Brush Off"?

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    #64

    Then: Stack Of 2x4s ... Now: Art Piece

    Stack of wood planks inadvertently forming a wave-like structure, an example of accidental art.

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    UncleJohn3000
    Community Member
    40 minutes ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They should build the house out of whatever those straps are made of.

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    #66

    My Polaroid Camera Jammed On Me, I Had To Open It Up In A Darkroom And Clear The Jam Manually. This Is The Result

    Abstract accidental art resembling a landscape, with black, white, and pink textures on a wooden background.

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    m6nbtfpx7q
    Community Member
    14 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Took me a second to notice your demon friend in the center. No thank you.

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    #67

    No Software / Editing, Just Natural Glitching Via Lensing Through The (Old) Glass Window

    A distorted skyscraper lit up at night, seen through a window frame, showcasing accidental art.

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    #68

    Sky Light At My Wife’s Dr Office. I Guess It’s Mold Or Something But Looks Like Art To Me

    Sky Light At My Wife’s Dr Office. I Guess It’s Mold Or Something But Looks Like Art To Me

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    #69

    Faulty Printer Result

    Abstract pattern with black and white distorted stripes resembling accidental art.

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    13 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Do not attempt to adjust your printer. We are controlling transmission. We will control the raster scan..."

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    #70

    The Way This Stone Looks Like A Van Gogh Painting

    Marble countertop with swirling patterns resembling abstract art, featuring shades of gray and hints of yellow.

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    #71

    Left My Water Bottle In The Car On A Hot Day, Came Back To This Abstract Art Piece

    A green glass bottle of sparkling water with a tilted cap, showcasing accidental art in a kitchen setting.

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    #72

    Not Sure What Went Wrong In My Film Camera, But I Like It

    Colorful lights create an accidental art effect on a shop facade at night.

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    #75

    Dropped A Bowl Of Cheesecake Batter On The Floor. Came Out Like A Jackson Pollock Painting

    A bowl of spilled cream on a dark marbled surface creates an accidental art pic, resembling an abstract painting.

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    #76

    This Picture Of Spaghetti In A Pan

    A pot of uncooked spaghetti arranged in a starburst pattern, showcasing accidental art on a stovetop.

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    #77

    Got Out Of The Shower And Said, "That Looks Like A Picasso"

    Accidental-Art-Pics: Hair straightener cord forms a face-like shape against a cabinet in black and white.

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    #78

    Pen Exploded In My Pocket With My Airpod Case, Ended Up Looking Pretty Cool

    Artistic accidental pattern resembling a cloudy sky on a wireless earbud case, resting on a wooden surface.

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    whineygingercat
    Community Member
    11 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    well, as I see it, you have two options. use hand sanitizer to remove the ink, or use some spray clear shellac to preserve the design. Just be sure to remove the earpods and plug the charging port before you do option #2

    #79

    I Tried To Take A Picture On The Bullet Train In Japan

    Blurred photo capturing a diagonal pole with a yellow sign in a scenic landscape, an example of accidental art.

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