Top of the World redux: Bird Painting by kto ART

Top of the World: Japanese White-Eye with Plumeria (rework-finished)

Before shot: Top of the World

"Some are cuter than others." That's my mom's brutal honesty for you! And I agree with her most days, except when I don't and I sulk and I pout. Then I realize I'm acting that way because the reality is that she's right, but I still don't agree...
All of my bird paintings are my little babies. I create them and nurture them, try to give each one of them everything I can in order to succeed in finding their new home. So when my mom says that phrase so bluntly, it makes me defensive although I know what she says is true.
"Top of the World" is one of my favorite paintings, although I always felt it was missing something. After painting my last 5-10 paintings with all those brilliant colors and loads of flowers, it hit me: color and flowers. "Top of the World" should be a celebration with an array  of electric color. And, although I think my "before shot" White-Eye was adorable, he looked lonely at the top, not victorious. The new version feels triumphant and my White-Eye is looking out to us as if to say, "I did it!" He also has all his flowers around to celebrate with and they look like little fireworks commemorating the event.
So glad I made the adjustments. It's hard to change these guys sometimes because I love them from the start. But sometimes change is for the best, and in this instance, my birdie looks much happier at the top!