There was first a title - I thought I needed something to look at before bedtime. I’m just not quite sure how this Madonna-like woman appeared. It was spontaneous, though she was originally based on a portrait of a woman who passed away a few years ago. At some point, I randomly added a balloon, and later decided it should be held by someone known for indulging in simple joys.
 
Winnie the Pooh, as it turns out, also symbolizes friendship, kindness, and much more. In the original story, the balloon helps him reach for honey, i.e., his dream.
 
The last bit of this painting was the darker side... Just because there always is one.
 
Now, I have something that feels half melancholic, half childlike - a reminder of carefree days, the pursuit of dreams, and the end of it all, which can sometimes be shockingly imminent.
 
2025 (Vilnius, Lithuania)
100 x 150 cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas