You really can "go home again." Lately I have revisited a number of paintings that at one time I thought were just fine. Funny how you can look at something a year or so later and go, "Wow...I need to do something about that one!"

 Such is the case with Egret Paradise.  This scene is from a highway not far from my home in Aransas County, Texas. I was driving to San Antonio in the early morning when I saw these incredible birds in great number in a wetland area near Copano Bay. I quickly turned around and photographed them. They were so incredibly beautiful that I spent almost an hour just looking at them. Unfortunately, the drought we are experiencing in South Texas has just about dried up all the water in that area. When the rains return, hopefully the wetlands will come back.

Before:                  After: 

The 18x24 oil painting was originally finished in 2011. I recently re-worked the central area that contains the egrets. The first birds, as you can see in the before picture, were very small and almost all in shadow, practically invisible. They were meant to be the focal point! I cleaned the painting and added medium to the area to be re-painted. I proceeded to paint each bird larger and more in the light. I also strengthened the water and foreground grasses. The painting now reflects my original intent! I will be posting more re-worked paintings in the future.

Thanks for reading my blog!