Stencil Watercolor Art | Mistakes and Regrets
The Inspiration
Ten years ago, I watched a movie called Atonement starring Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, and a very young Saoirse Ronan. The movie was adapted from a novel of the same name written by Ian McEwan. Ten years have passed since I watched it and remembering the plot and the haunting scenes make my heart aches still. Even though I am a bookworm I never read the novel version of it, simply because I don't want to ruin the amazing experience of watching the film adaptation.
Some of you might have watched this movie but to those who have not, here is the big question:
We all make mistakes. Some mistakes are big, some small, and most of the time we quickly forget them. But what happens when you make a mistake that haunts you every day and there is nothing you can do about it?
Some mistakes are so horrible we regret them for the rest of our lives. And that is the theme of Atonement. This movie tells about the lives of Cecilia Tallis (played by Keira Knightley) and her boyfriend, Robbie Turner (played by James McAvoy) and also Cecelia's younger sister, Briony Tallis (played by Saoirse Ronan). One fateful day, Briony who has a major crush on Robbie and jealous of her sister told a dreadful lie about him and this resulted in Robbie being imprisoned. Four years later, Robbie is released from the prison on the condition that he must join the British army to fight in France during WW2. Cecilia and Robbie's lives are torn apart by Briony's deception. Years later, an older Briony is full of remorse and she makes a lot of effort to apologize and reconcile with her sister.
The plot seems to be predictable until towards the end we are serves with a shocking and sad ending...
The Painting
The movie got me thinking; what if Briony never tells the lie? The ending would be so much different. Cecilia would probably marry Robbie and have his kids. He probably still goes to war but at least there wouldn't be so much regret. Briony regrets her action for the rest of her life. She tries to atone for it by writing a book telling about the couple's story and gives them a happy ending they truly deserve.
All of us have our own regrets. I have lots of regrets. Sometimes I wonder what would it be like if I didn't act so rashly? What would be like if I gave it a more careful thought? What would it be like if I hold my tongue and not lashing out? The outcomes would definitely better. I would have gotten what I wanted and the relationship would not be broken.
This painting shows a stencil image of a man and a woman. The guy is looking at the girl with regrets. He has made a huge mistake and he doesn't know how to atone for it. The girl is looking the other side. She puts on a pair of sunglasses to hide her unhappiness. She too has her fair amount of regrets.
The rainbow background represents the consequences of his action and also the possibilities they could have experienced had he not messed up.
Thank you for visiting! What do you think of this painting? Please leave your comments below.
My previous posts:
Acrylic Painting | The Evil In All Of Us
A Year Younger | Today Is My Birthday!
Preliminary Sketch Of A New Portrait
A Trip To The National Planetarium
Gong Xi Fa Cai | Wishing All Chinese Steemians A Happy Chinese New Year
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Thank you!
@coloringiship Your ability to find inspiration with ease is truly admirable.
In this painting, both of them are looking towards the same direction, just not at each other. Is animosity brewing between them already?
Whenever I watch a movie adaptation, I won't read the book thereafter. More often than not, the film version will depart from the book's content. If I have read the book beforehand, I'll tend to make comparisons.
Recently, I watched The Mountain Between Us, starring Kate Winslet and Idris Elba (yet to read the book, no intention to do so). I wonder whether you'll be inspired by this film and create something too.
"Is animosity brewing between them already?" Maybe. I love asking questions and creating stories like this in my mind.
I usually don't like to watch the movie versions but I found this movie before I knew about the book. And yes I rather not read/watch because I can't help making comparisons in my head LOL. Like the movie English Patient. I read the book before watching the movie. I hated the movie and the book became one of my favorite novels of all time.
I never heard of The Mountain Between Us. Will check it out! Thanks!
It looks cool, and I read your post! That movie sounds like it's worth watching!
I might suggest that the poses of the characters doen't convey what you are saying they should. The man doesn't look like he's looking at her with regret, nor does she look like she has any sadness or anything to hide. To be honest they both look like they are simply modeling/posing for a catalog. Without this back-story, it simply looks like a fun piece of art, but after reading the back-story I don't like it as much anymore. I don't mean to be harsh, just constructive feedback.
Did you find these photos or take them yourself? I'm guessing they are stock photos perhaps? I would recommend taking your own photos that are planned for exactly what you want to convey, rather than finding reference images. (Sorry if I am making an incorrect assumption, or coming off too harsh.)
It's cool that a movie can be moving enough to move someone to make art inspired by it!
Thanks for sharing!
Hi @benmora . No you doesn't sound harsh at all. I welcome all constructive feedback. Yes, the stencils are from public domain images. Thank you for commenting!
You're welcome, and thank you for your reply. Keep up the artwork!
What a great illustration and theme, you have a gifted mind indeed. Love seeing how you relate the movie theme with your painting :)
Thank you @alimamasstory. I like to share the things that inspired my art. Sometimes the art doesn't necessarily reflect my inspiration. It creates its own story and has a life of its own. It's subjective. There are thousands of artists on Steemit but many do not share the background story of their art pieces and to me it's kinda dull :(
Amazing.. nices art
Thank you @rizkyfajri