The Painter

The story follows Jim Stegner, a once-famous artist grappling with his violent past after serving time for shooting a man. Living a quiet life, he is thrust back into chaos when he intervenes in a brutal act against a horse. This moment of violence forces him to confront both his dark impulses and the consequences of his previous actions. As he faces retribution from those seeking revenge, Jim returns to New Mexico, where he must navigate the complexities of his past and the shadows within himself.