Robin M. Milligan

Don’t be afraid of change. I had a traumatic experience years ago with a business partner who I thought was a friend. He took all of my savings and left me no choice but to walk away from what I had built. I was making this painting for our salon. After that betrayal, it was hard tor me to even look at this painting. It was unfinished and was a constant reminder every time I walked past it in my studio. After a year or so I decided to paint over it. Not completely, but in such a way that would transform it. I started with black paint, and worked my way in. I didn’t have a plan for what it would become, I just wanted to paint over it. A few hours in, I stopped painting and looked up at it. There was a bird forming, a phoenix. I added a little more detail and she was transformed. From something that brought me pain to something powerful. The first day it was hanging for my annual solo show, it sold. One of my first long term collectors just had to have it. He loves it and I’m so glad I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and painting over the pain to create something new that brought others joy. . .