Ballerinas

A Word About This Piece

I intend this illustration
to be a study in energy, 
what it feels like internally
to spin on pointe
a small square of satin
bearing all your weight
and velocity 
 
I grew up as a ballerina for many years. 
In fourth grade I finally got pointe shoes
and slept with them by my pillow. 

Dancing  was demanding and often stressful.
I remember every time I missed an entrance,
had a costume malfunction or fell. 
The mistakes live on longer than the applause

And yet it was exhilarating to leap through the air
then come back to earth
knowing there's a moment at the top 
in which I was actually flying...

Ballerinas (pen & pastel) by Susan Moffitt