When I was a young girl I wanted to be a ballerina. I took ballet lessons until given the choice between Ms. Botsford’s Social Dancing lessons or ballet. I followed my friends and my ballet career ended.

I started a painting from a 1950’s photo I found of my sister and me in my ballet recital outfit. Her teasing pose reminded me that she favored playing in the back field and catching snakes.

This painting is shown below as it progressed in the studio.

The figures are on the canvas and I'm starting to add detail.

Dark tones were added to the background to bring Betsy, on the left, forward on the canvas.

I like the subtle addition of iridescent paint on my paintings. If you look closely the plaid jumper has iridescent ‘pearl’ buttons. There are also tiny iridescent ‘pearl’ details on the shirt collar and the top edge of the tutu. I’ll continue to add more detail to Betsy. I’m keeping the background figure more faded, as my memory of that recital has indeed faded.