Sleeper Awake 2003

Bo Bartlett painted *Sleeper Awake* without a specified date, using oil on canvas. The subtle gradations of color, the play of light and shadow – it’s all about the layering and the careful, almost invisible blending here. You can sense how he's building up the forms gradually. Look at how the sandy ground undulates beneath the figure, rendered with a soft, almost hazy touch. The ladder suggests a narrative, a way to reach the unknown, or perhaps a symbol of aspiration. The fabric of the dress, how it drapes and folds, has been rendered with such care that it gives a tactile feeling. I'm reminded of Fairfield Porter in the way that the light and the domestic setting create a sense of calm. Ultimately, *Sleeper Awake* is a reminder that art doesn't always need to shout; sometimes it whispers, inviting us to lean in and listen.