Seven years ago, this painting (left) was begun on site and completed in a different studio. I have revised the painting (right) in my current studio. Whatever was going on seven years ago ought to be respected; however, my mind seems clearer now—linear perspective errors seem to be corrected, and the light quality has become more coherent due to changed choices in color mixtures?
This revision of older paintings is tricky business, and there can be many reasons for responding differently, at a remove of time. For this particular painting I can’t claim it’s “better,” because I don’t remember what I was after, seven years ago. I can claim I’m happier with it now than if I had not revised it.