Tamika Sleeps

.:currently hanging: at Tamika's bedside:.
.:currently hanging: at my bedside:.

Portrait of Tamika, done in pencil while she was sleeping on my futon this September 3rd.
She ended up not sleeping over, waking up in the middle of my drawing. I scrambled to put it away, and walked her to her car.
I finished the rest from memory.

While we were at her parents house for the weekend, I asked her.
"Can I have permission to draw you?"
"Sure!" she said, surprised.
"Good. I have something to show you when we get home."
She turned. "You drew me?"
"Yup."
"When did you draw me?"
"A couple days ago..."
"While I was sleeping?"
"Uh huh."
"That shouldn't be allowed! When?"
"That night you went back."
"Oh..."

Yesterday, I had brought it along in my backpack. We were on our way to Home Depot, and a beautiful sunset appeared on the horizon. I pulled out my camera, just in case.
She glanced from the road to me. "You know, I don't mind you drawing me, or taking pictures of me, but only when I look cute."
I looked at my camera, than back at her.
"Not now! I'm in my scruffy working clothes now..." (we were going to paint)
"Scruffy? Nah.. I'm lovin' the blue blue blue thing..." I motioned at her matching pants, shirt and headband. "And besides, when DON'T you look cute?" I grinned.
"Tuh-rue..." she laughed.

Last night, I pulled out the drawing while we were sitting around talking at her house.
She sat there, her eyes popping out of her head.
"That's me! ... Is that really what I look like when I'm sleeping?"
"Uh huh..."
"Wow. This is sooo COOL!"
She stared at it for a while, transfixed.
"Can you make me a copy?"
"Of course."
She smiled. "Cool."
"You like?"
"Uh huh."
"I told you were beautiful. You really should trust the highly trained eye of the artist..."
She laughed, and stuck her tongue. "I'm going to go show Vinny." She ran out of the room.
I smiled and followed her.

~Orion