This piece was painted as a vertical portrait. She was a study for painting darker skin tones, but when I turned her on her side she was so much more. I was so taken by her stunned, vacuous expression that I couldn't take my eyes off her. Why was she floating away? I wondered what happened to make her so vacant and removed and I realized that I will never be able to understand what knocked her over. I cannot ever be in her shoes or share her experience. I can only listen. And as I listened I heard. Black American women I know each had their own personal story to explain the expression on the painting's face. I am sure there are many stories untold or unheard. This painting is about empathy.