NEW SMALL PAINTING - "The best I could do"

Hi peeps, 

I finished this little one a day or two ago, here's "The best I could do".

My scanner is becoming increasingly annoying and added more granulation to the scan than exists in real-life, bu hey. I hope to be able to buy a new one some day, but that day not being anywhere near now, I will have to work with what I've got, haha. 

I took a few progress pictures which you can see below. 

I picked up my ink nib again for the outline, and was reminded how much I enjoy inking that way. I was almost sad when it came to covering a portion of that ink work with the background, as I really enjoyed the look of the plain outline on this one. 

This is a concept I might try to paint again soon, but with a different style and colour scheme, as I am curious to see how differently it might come across if finished up another way. I am also thinking of repainting the head with the branches growing through it that I shared in my previous post.
I want to experiment with different styles but using the same concepts, to try and find something that clicks for me. 

As far as the imagery in this piece, I think it is pretty self-explanatory to some extent, especially with the title I chose, while also being fairly open to interpretation. Just how I like it. 

Personally, I have been reflecting on the lives we build for ourselves, and the unavoidable realisation we all have to mature into of how much of life is out of our control. And the growing up needed to contend with that fact and its reality. 

The more I read the stories of others, the more I am amazed at the strength and resilience of people, and how incredible the human spirit can be. 

I am also always reminded that, even if it can be fragile, and risks being torn down over and over again, the best we can do is everything, and all that matters. 

There is much to say about such a topic, which is why I would rather paint it.
I hope you will enjoy this little piece.
I will probably make it the 8x10 painting for May, and the second sticker for June. 

Thank you very much for reading, and as always, for supporting my work.
I appreciate each and every one of you tremendously. 

All my love,
M