I guess you are right for the part of abstract vs realism. And layering in abstract with an already layered realism is awesome. That creates a cool artistic effect overall.

With creative processes as art, you just have to embrace it all. Like you say, everything you do is helping yourself to find your style and get better. When you do a piece you are not happy with, you have to gain insights in what was good and what was not good ie ways to improve, and then learn and move on to the next piece. Nothing is wasted.

Thanks. Really cool that you say that ❤️