Redemption Painting
- Jun 17
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 17
Seven years ago I painted my first bird. It was a lilac breasted roller, a very unique and colorful bird. I was very pleased with it at the time, simply at the surprise of it actually looking like a bird. It was never my favorite painting, but it was the start of finding my artistic voice. My painting style was different at the time, I painted a little more whimsically back then. I found that the more I painted, the more I craved the detail that I was able to achieve from my sketch work. So I took a break from painting and went back to sketching to reset. When I went back to my brushes, I was ready to challenge myself to paint the way that I drew, striving for more realism in my work. Once I started to get the hang of handling my brushes like a pencil, I repainted the lilac breasted roller in an attempt to redeem myself (From what? Who knows! Just to prove to myself that I could do better, I suppose). I was actually pleased with the outcome, and she remains one of my favorite pieces.
I recently went through old work laying around and found a peacock piece from 5 years ago titled "Radiant". I drug it to a few exhibits and it received some praise, but I've never been very fond of it. A couple months ago I brought it with me to a market event, secretly hoping that someone would just take it so I wouldn't have to look at it anymore. As I stared at it with intense displeasure that day, I realized if I dislike it that much I should just repaint it and let this go. So like the lilac breasted roller, I decided to paint its redemption piece. Ironically, Radiant was actually my third peacock painting and somewhat of a redemption painting in that era. When I initially finished it, I remember thinking that this is the best peacock I've painted. In hindsight I wonder, how?
It's all relative to where we are in the journey. There are other paintings that I've been staring at, ready to add to my redemption list. I recognize that art is a constant evolution. Each painting was created in a moment that it was intended for. I appreciate each of them for the purpose they served in my journey. Doing redemption paintings is actually a fun challenge for me. It's a way to check in and remind myself that I'm also in a state of constant evolution, shifting my perspectives, learning and growing in my art journey. As proud as I am of my current work, I know that these aren't even the best pieces I'll ever create. I just prefer my latest works at the moment because I see my growth in them. I'm sure in another 5 years I'll revisit these again with the same dismay and critique. I look forward to seeing my future redemption pieces.
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