Phoenix Rising: A Story of Art, Resilience, and Finding Your Fire
Hi, I’m Kim—welcome to my creative corner of the world! Today, I want to share the story behind one of my favorite
paintings: Phoenix Rising. This piece isn’t just a painting—it’s a
turning point, a symbol of transformation, and honestly, a big “aha”
moment in my journey as an artist and as a person.
The Painting That Changed Everything
I started painting a little over three and a half years ago. In the beginning, it was a whirlwind of experimentation, learning, and figuring out what felt right. My first year was all about trying everything—mimicking techniques, absorbing ideas, and simply getting comfortable with a brush in my hand. In my second year, I discovered new styles like acrylic pouring and impasto, and I began building my artistic “toolbox.”
Phoenix Rising was the first painting where it all seemed to click. It was the largest piece I’d ever tackled and my first time trying a Dutch pour—a style of fluid art where air is used to blow paint across the canvas. I had avoided this technique for ages, probably out of fear of messing it up. But I had a vision: I wanted the background to look like fire, chaotic and alive, and something told me a Dutch pour could be perfect.
Spoiler alert: it wasn’t the best Dutch pour in the world… but it didn’t need to be. The fiery blend of reds, oranges, and yellows was exactly what I needed to set the stage for the Phoenix.
Building the Phoenix
Once the background was dry, I layered in the Phoenix using a palette knife and thick, textured paint mixed with a gloss medium. This impasto technique gave the bird a raised, dimensional feel—like it was leaping from the flames. I outlined it in black, added shadowing, and when I stepped back… I was stunned.
I couldn’t believe I painted it.
That moment was more than pride—it felt like a breakthrough. It was the start of a new chapter in my evolution as an artist.
Chaos and Control: What the Phoenix Means
The symbolism of the Phoenix really speaks to me. It rises from the ashes—reborn, stronger than before. And just like the Phoenix, I was going through my own transformation.
Life had been throwing some curveballs my way. After five years in a remote job I really enjoyed, I was laid off. My husband and I had to move in with a friend. I found another job, but within months, I was laid off again. It was a difficult, confusing time filled with uncertainty, fear, and big questions about my future.
This painting was born in the middle of that chaos.
And that chaos—the background of Phoenix Rising—came to represent more than just fire. It symbolized everything in life we can’t control. The Phoenix, rising from it, became a symbol of everything we can control: our decisions, our reactions, our mindset, and the meaning we choose to assign to our circumstances.
You’re Not Being Punished—You’re Being Prepared
During one of my tough days, I came across a quote from Napoleon Hill. He said that when you’re stuck or struggling, it’s not punishment—it’s preparation.
That hit me hard.
I realized that maybe this period in my life wasn’t meant to break me—it was meant to shape me. Maybe I wasn’t “behind.” Maybe I was just being held in place until the next right opportunity came along.
In the meantime, I had to keep moving forward. Keep painting. Keep creating. Keep believing that this moment was part of the journey—not the end of it.
The Phoenix Is You, Too
Phoenix Rising isn’t just my story—it’s a story for anyone who feels stuck, lost, or uncertain. It’s a reminder that while the world around us may be chaotic, we still have the power to rise. We can choose to stand back up. We can choose to fight for our dreams, even when it feels hard or hopeless.
So if you’re in the middle of your own “ashes” moment right now, hear me when I say this:
You are not being punished.
You are being prepared.
You’re not at the end.
You’re just at a pause point.
Your train to the next destination is coming—you just have to be ready when it arrives.
Keep Rising
The Phoenix reminds me daily that life’s detours often lead to our most important destinations. So don’t quit. Don’t settle. Keep dreaming. Keep rising.