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, artist Alberto Navarro captures 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.
🔸 Available as a high-quality print in 5x7, 8x10, and 11x14 inches.
🔸 Custom sizes available upon request—just reach out!
🔸 Printed on archival paper with vivid color fidelity to honor every detail and layer.