Always remember to smile now, cry later.

Originally conceived as a paint study, Smile Now, Cry Later evolved into a full-fledged digital painting—a chaotic, tender, and surreal love letter to the nights that blur the line between ecstasy and regret. Drawing from personal experiences of wild, intoxicating evenings, i tried to capture the emotional dissonance of those nights when you know you should go home—but you don’t.

The scene is a saturated collision of color, iconography, and memory. A suited figure comforts a blue-toned, disoriented character in a dreamlike room filled with symbols of temptation, nostalgia, and protection. From Hot Wheels to Campbell’s soup cans, tigers to rose petals, every detail pulses with meaning. Cherubs hover over a scroll that reads, “Please remember to always Smile Now... and Cry Later,” serving as both a warning and a blessing—just like the night itself.

This piece is a modern-day exvoto: an offering of gratitude, a plea for protection, and a confession all at once.