My painting "Sleepyhead" is a tender moment captured on canvas, born from a feeling of nostalgia for the simple, peaceful days of childhood. Inspired by a photo of my nephew, this piece portrays a young boy, completely lost in slumber, nestled comfortably within a cozy easy chair.

I approached this painting with a direct, alla prima method, applying wet paint into wet paint to maintain a sense of immediacy and freshness. The primary artistic challenge, and a fun exploration, was to create a vibrant combination of blues. The chair itself is rendered in a variety of blue hues, particularly a deep indigo, while the boy is dressed in cobalt blue shorts and a cerulean blue shirt. My aim was to ensure these distinct blue areas remained interesting and varied, avoiding flatness. To achieve this, I wove in warm pinks, oranges, and earthy tones into the boy's skin, a technique inspired by Joaquin Sorolla's handling of luminous flesh tones. These warm accents, along with touches of pinks and oranges in the background, serve to offset the cool blues and add a harmonious richness to the composition.

I hope this painting evokes a sense of peace, warmth, and the universal comfort of a child's undisturbed sleep, perhaps even stirring your own fond memories of quiet moments gone by.