My youngest daughter, Sarah, is seen on the right. Her attention is fixed on Madame. It’s more than I can say for some,
but criticism is unfair ... it’s the day of the big recital. The climax of weeks of rushing out the door on Saturday morning.
The one and only time when parents are allowed into the studio. For many, like Sarah, it’s their first time performing for
anyone. Distraction is inevitable.
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I didn’t really ask Sarah if she wanted to try ballet. I purchased her co-operation with a pair of special dancing slippers and
a pink leotard. She was thrilled to have such a fuss made over her, and I think it made her feel very special. Besides, at
age four, how is she supposed to know if she wants to go to ballet? So she was conscripted.
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I did, however, make the mistake of asking her if she wanted to go back for a second session. She told me that she had
already taken ballet and was therefore and thenceforward a qualified, card-carrying ballerina ... been there, done that.
I had fallen into a parental trap with no recovery: to insist would be going against her wishes. Would that take the
enjoyment away? Would that make me a bully? Why spend the money and the time if she didn’t want to go?
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It was a good lesson in parenting for me: don’t ask the question if you aren’t prepared for the answer. I’m sure she would
have been happy to go back, if we had just signed her up. Guidance here is tricky ... it’s hard to sell ... it’s for their own
good ... it’s supposed to be fun for them. Piano lessons anybody?
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As an experimental painting I’ve abstracted the colouring, proportions and composition. I’ve also chosen to incorporate
a portion the title of the painting on the canvas in a contrasting colour. I feel it accentuates the primary focal point and
contributes to the overall feel. I chose this classic serif type face to compliment this classical form of dance expression.  
                                                                                                                                                                        Mark Heine