RAINBOW WARRIOR- a NEW Painting

RAINBOW WARRIOR. Original Painting (Sold).

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” ― Maya Angelou

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this new painting is so incredibly close to my heart.

it was a piece that i created with the intention to pour out every emotion. i didn't want to try and create anything. i just needed to get my heart out.

i had this girl just sitting around my studio for months. 

i was liking her crown, but knew the background had to go. so i painted it all out, splattered paint and carved in the feathers here and there.

she felt more like my reflection, but i needed her to find her strength.

RAINBOW WARRIOR. Original Painting (Sold).

and with that, it felt like i opened the flood gates. 

i stopped holding back. i covered up what i didn't like and stuck to defining this girl.

whenever i'm painting i get overwhelmed by having so many options. i know i can paint absolutely anything. so committing to one specific character often makes my inner critic kick in and question why on earth i'm painting that specific character.

but i simply had to paint the rainbow over this girl's head. and from there she became this sort of warrior, adorned with her hat, feathers and wings.

sharing her whole heart, this girl grew wings of sunshine that symbolized everlasting peace and calm, which she carries with her throughout the world as a RAINBOW WARRIOR. 

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ps. today is the last day to enter the giveaway to win a spot in my newest online workshop. head over to the lucky star art retreat blog to enter by Wednesday, April 10 noon CST.

pps. thank you to Heather Williams for sharing the story of the Rainbow Warrior that inspired this painting's title.