ArtbyVDJ

I have a hyperactive mind. I read and teach for a living and at night all of those ideas that I love during the day keep me up. To quiet my mind I tried all sorts of things, meditation, sensory deprivation, electronics-free routines- nothing seemed to work. I was restless.

I started painting these portraits of women with long necks and expressive faces one of those restless nights. Suddenly, the cacophony in my head was quiet and through the focus it takes to make these paintings, I started getting some rest.

Sure, most people need 8 hours. I get about 4. But those 4 hours I don't sleep are well spent with my long necked women and their appraising eyes. I painted a dozen of them before I really thought about what I would do with so many paintings.

I love painting. I love the act of it. I love how it feels to focus on these imagined portraits of women who do not exist but who I'd love to know. They keep me calm and keep me company in the small hours of the night. I've discovered that they look awesome small and large, in frames or tacked to walls.

I look at them and know that tomorrow , even if I don't get all the sleep I want to, I can do whatever it is I have to do because that is what women do -- especially women like the ones I am compelled to paint in my little guest bedroom turned art studio at 3 am on any given morning.