In or out?

Just completed this painting. I showed it to Alan and he said the log in the middle was distracting. I've been working on this painting so long that I can't really judge it any more. Nice to have another pair of eyes to give me feedback. I took the log out and liked the painting better right away.
I don't have a title yet but it's a 30 x 24" acrylic.

Brothers Creek

I have a lot of unfinished paintings in the studio right now. Some are very close to finished, others are half way there and have problems. This is unusual for me because I normally like to see a painting through before I start another one. Not sure what's going on but I think it's ok. I will spend the next few weeks trying to resolve some things and see what happens.

The painting is a 24 x 30" acrylic. It's of Brother's Creek in West Van- right behind my childhood home. I have never painted this particular spot but have done quite a few pieces of the river over the years. I love the shimmering light- it gets me every time.