To understand this painting, look again

This 2-hour afternoon painting class felt like a poetry slam. Think fast… Sketch fast… Think on your feet…. Figure it out… Paint!

I was completely focused on painting this wild, fabulous, raucous body and that blazing red hair, when I suddenly saw something I had missed. What in the world is going on behind that utterly blank expression on this woman’s face…? What is she thinking? Where is she? And in that moment I realized what this painting would be all about — those faraway eyes and the secret thoughts behind them.

Whenever I see this painting, I think back to that afternoon. It’s a reminder to stop. Take your time. Look again. Reconsider.