Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) Research Communication Office Head Reda Juodkūnienė does not consider herself a professional painter, but her colourful abstract paintings are popular. Admirers of her work are ready to wait in line to acquire her works of art.

"This is my form of leisure," says Juodūnienė, who paints on weekends or after work where she oversees MRU's newly-formed Research Communication Office.

She studied art in high school, but it was only during the last 2 years that she has been spending more and more time painting. One of the reasons is that she and her family have moved into a new home with lots of white walls.

When we moved in, then there was something missing and there was a need to draw a painting. I needed to decorate the walls, Juodkūnienė explained.

As for why the paintings are so bright and colourful, she said that often in Lithuania we face "a shortage" of colours in every day life.

But she has found that with time friends and acquaintances have taken a liking to her works of art and sometimes ask her to paint something.

"For me it's important that a person smiles, when they see my painting. Then, it is successful," she said.

She tries to adapt her paintings to the existing interior of a room or space.

Her biggest admirer and critic is her 3,5 year-old son, who has an opinion about each and every painting, she said.

Inspiration comes often in the most unexpected places and hours. It can come after looking at an ornament or composition of some sort, she said.

But she said she needs to be careful. When money enters the picture, any type of inspiration goes out the window, she said.

"For me, painting is a type of meditation, a way to break free from stress. It's my time," she says.