An eight-year-old Native American dancer from the Kalispel Tribe performs a traditional dance during Cultural Day at Riverfront Park. The event coincided with the 2023 Badminton World Junior Championships, welcoming more than 400 athletes from around the world—a celebration of color, rhythm, and unity.
The dancer’s movement and vibrant regalia instantly captured me. I knew it would be challenging—especially against a solid black background. Using a calligraphy pen and watercolor pencils helped define the motion, though when I layered watercolor over them, the black ink bled in unexpected ways.
As the saying goes, “Man plans, God laughs.” The unpredictability became part of the painting’s spirit—alive, joyful, and untamed.