Sometimes you create something and reach an impasse beyond which you cannot seem to go. Such happened with this double portrait of a young Native American and a noble stag. I wanted to create a picture behind a curtain of snowfall. The problem… I liked the picture too much to risk painting snowflakes and dots of white all over it. How easily I could’ve turned the whole thing into a miasma of pockmarks and polka dots! In order to go forward, you have to risk a total whangaroo of everything you have already accomplished. It isn’t just oil paintings that can happen to. My teaching career… every novel I’ve ever attempted… my family… Everything you do in life risks blowing everything all to Hell. There is simply no safe endeavor to be found. If it’s safe… it simply isn’t worth doing. You will never get the full effect. Okay, so here’s the thing… I keep sitting in front of this painting, staring at it, and wondering how good or how awful it will be if I dare to go forward.
Catch a Falling Star 
Such a difficult decision, what tone of white would look good, which way would the snow would be falling, how big the drops.
Maybe could be a good idea to take a photo and try out different options on drawing software, before actually attempting on the canvas.
I agree that theres no point playing safe, but you have to be smart about it. Good Luck.
Thanks for the suggestion. I will try that.
Sometimes when I find myself staring at a piece I’m concerned about modifying, I’ll create a different one. It’s like reinventing the wheel, but it seems to allow me the freedom to go off in other directions not convenient for the original piece.
Yes, I’ve been thinking about finishing it in an entirely different direction. One never knows until you flip the old coin.