The Box came!
And in the box was this sketchbook. From 1985. I know because it’s graded, first semester: A+ Superb! Second semester: B+ Turned In Late.
I was eight. Guess I was Real Busy.
Anyway, wanted to share this one with you, Gentle Reader: 
Now, ok, I’m gonna give you a minute to recover from the vertigo brought on by this crazy-ass point of view and nightmare checkered floor…
(Seriously, eight-year-old self, how much crack was you smoking? Maybe that’s why the assignment was late)
…and bring your attention to a few things:
Thing 1. I can see that the ballerina started out with a smile, which I then erased. Why? Maybe because-
Thing 2. Poor thing seems to have a left hand attached to her right arm. Has it been switch-er-rooed with her other hand, or is she a double leftie? Who knows! I’m sure it doesn’t help her get her grip on-
Thing 3. The scary-high barre which seems to be set at about 5feet off the floor.
And then there’s:
Thing 4. The bows on her shoe ribbons appear to be obeying the laws of gravity, even if the floor is flagrantly disregarding.
Here’s a closer view:
Thing 5. Remember back when we thought pointe shoe ribbons crisscrossed all the way up to the knee? Where did we get that idea? Or was it just me?
Thing 6. Why isn’t she wearing a tutu? Aren’t all little girls tutu-obsessed? What the hell!!!!
What a ballerina acid trip must be like.
I love it!
Re: thing 5.
I used to draw the ribbons high up my ballerinas’ calves the same way! But in Pink. Like they were supposed to be!!
Right?!
Blue?! WTF?!
This put such a big smile on my face. Just finished reading some horrible 600 pages long history book for my exams when I thought I’d check your blog
Great that you got your box! aaand i luv the floor haha!
Very cute
I used to draw ballerinas too that age. Maybe the smile was erased because you couldn’t do ballet?
Maybe. But oh gawd that’s so sad and pathetic!!!
Maybe I erased it because ballerinas are Very Serious.
Pointe shoes and a blue leotard, what level is that?
And does the next level up also practice on a checkered floor that matches their outfit?
The more I look at it the more it looks like she’s actually hanging from the barre. And the knee-high ribbons remind me of those Chucks that went way up your leg.
I agree about the hanging. The more I look at it the more I get Freaked Out.
You need to get this printed on a tshirt!
Excellent drawing skills, even though there are some “things.” My drawings have been stick figures at best. Glad the box came.
Me too so glad what a relief!!!!!!!!
Your drawing reminded me of these two photos from the amazing ballerina project, so perhaps your ideas were not so far fetched. Either that, or you were an artistic wunderkind.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=281199469948&set=a.117661154948.24715.22455674948&type=3&permPage=1
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=286050659948&set=a.117661154948.24715.22455674948&type=3
Side note, I am also an adult beginner (just started in September at 25) and I find your blog to be hilarious, delightful and so true. Although I’m a bit jealous of your class, we have about 50 in our class, so the teacher doesn’t give many corrections. I need an old Russian man to yell at me.
Sometimes I wish there were fifty. Like when I’m going en dedans instead of en dehors.
Congrats on starting! Yay adult beginners!
I am also an adult beginner (started in January of this year) and am getting pointes next month! But anyway, I have pre-pointes now and my teacher, the first time I put them on was all, “no, no my dear, you are not a gladiator! Tie the strings lower, lower!” I will never again tie my ribbons high!
Love your blog, you’ve been such an encouragement to me! Congrats on the baby that’s coming soon!
ribbons*!!! not stings, oi vey.
“you are not a gladiator”! Hahahhahaaa!
That is awesome.
Congratulations to you on pointes next month!
Thank you so much!
I had posted on a forum recently and a lot of people were very mean to me about getting pointes so soon! It’s nice to get a Congrats from another fellow beginner!
Well, you know, haters gonna hate.
Prove them wrong by being a consistent, safe, hardworking, successful student.