To A New Beginning

While hiking in Glacier National Park, I found myself alone on a quiet, curving trail. The contrast between the vibrant leaves, dark tree trunks, and reddish ground immediately struck me. At first, I just wanted to capture the scene, but as I painted, it took on a new meaning.

The ground came out redder than expected, almost like fire, and the tree trunks looked burnt. It reminded me of the phoenix, where destruction comes before rebirth. Adding the green leaves solidified this as a symbol of renewal. This painting became a metaphor for letting go of the old to make way for something new—just like in life, where we must sometimes allow things to fall away to rebuild with fresh purpose.

This painting became a reminder that in my own life, I need to allow things to crumble and burn away, especially those that no longer serve me. Only by doing so can I rebuild something new, free from the constraints of my past expectations. Just like in nature, where destruction leads to regeneration, this piece represents the process of shedding the old to create room for new beginnings. 

If you're going through a similar process or about to do so, I hope this piece helps you in your transition, just as it has helped me.

Dimension: 10”W x 30”H x ⅞”D
Medium: Acrylic on canvas