Born in the Canary Islands to British parents, Georgiana Houghton spent the majority of her life in England. She became deeply involved in the Spiritualist movement during the mid-19th century, which served as the primary catalyst for her artistic practice. She claimed that her works were guided by spirits, including those of deceased artists and religious figures, leading her to produce a vast body of work through automatic drawing.

Her signature medium was watercolor, which she utilized to create dense, swirling, and highly detailed abstract patterns. These works often featured layered, organic forms and vibrant color palettes that were intended to represent spiritual entities or messages. Her process was characterized by a meditative, trance-like state, resulting in compositions that were visually distinct from the academic realism prevalent in the Victorian era.

While largely overlooked during her lifetime, Houghton has gained significant posthumous recognition as a precursor to modern abstraction. Her work has been the subject of critical re-evaluation in recent years, with major institutions highlighting her role in the history of non-objective art and the intersection of spiritualism and creative expression.