When I was a kid, we used to go to Portugal almost every summer with my parents and brother. Portugal is a charming country in southwestern Europe. The weather was always warm and beautiful, and we would spend a few days by the sea, staying in cozy rented houses. Our days were filled with joy, playing paddle-ball or soccer on the sand, and enjoying time with our little black poodle, Oziris. We would swim on the sea to cool off.

At our usual spot, there was a charming wooden café-bar with outdoor tables and chairs. We bought cold drinks, ice cream, shrimp, and other delicious snacks there. Over the years, we became close friends with the owners and their kids, and we eagerly looked forward to seeing them each year. On windy evenings, we would take out our kites, and the children from the café-bar often joined us. We stayed on the beach until sunset, and I remember the wonder I felt watching the sky change colors, with the sun reflecting on the sea. It felt like time stood still and all my worries faded away.

This painting feels like a scene from those memories, and I love it.