The Sleepwalking Artist

Although sleepwalkers are usually depicted as zombie like figures, wandering around aimlessly, the range of actions a sleepwalker can actually perform includes anything from just sitting up and appearing awake to more complex activities, like going on the computer or driving a car. Sleepwalking is most common in children 6 to 12 years old, but it may occur at any age and appears to run in families. A popular misconception is that sleepwalkers are acting out their dreams. However, vivid dreaming is most common in REM sleep, the deepest level of sleep, and sleepwalkers are usually in a non-REM sleep.

In one rare example, Lee Hadwin (pictured above) is a nurse by day and a "sleepwalking artist" at night. Hadwin, nicknamed Kipasso, creates artwork, while sleeping, and has no recollection of it in the morning (or artistic ability). When Hadwin first started sleepwalking at age four, his parents figured it was just a phase that he would grow out of. However, he continued to sleepwalk and in his teens he began to create art. At first it would just be doodles on his bedroom walls. The artwork then escalated and Hadwin would wake up in the morning and find everything: tablecloths, napkins, newspapers, and walls covered in artwork. Today, Hadwin lays out art supplies and sketchbooks before going to sleep so he is prepared for his nighttime art sessions. Major galleries have even begun to approach Hadwin for examples of his work, which they feel would be great to market. Although sleepwalking usually involves little activity, Kipasso is just one example of the many unbelievable sleepwalking stories that have been recorded.