The Ballerina

Description

The story of The Ballerina

She is what it feels like to finally have something beautiful and not yet trust that it can stay.

I began The Ballerina in August 2023, in a painting space that Kevin made for me when we started building our life together. I had been away from the canvas for years. She was the first painting I made after coming back to it.

My life was changing in ways I had wanted for a long time. Love, steadiness, a place to work. I was happy. I was also waiting for it to be taken away. I had learned that good things disappear, and even standing inside something wonderful, part of me was bracing for it to end.

That is what her body is doing. Her head thrown back, her weight turning away from you. She wants to surrender to the moment, and she is still asking whether it is real. She is not dancing out of pure joy, and she is not grieving. She lives somewhere between the two.

She is silver because silver is what the painting needed. I build the light first and let the shadow follow, and against the matte black the silver became her form, her movement, her presence. She is revealed only where the light touches her.

The original took about eighty hours across two years. I finished her in 2025.

If you have rebuilt your life, or lost something, or you are standing in a moment of happiness that feels almost too good to trust, I hope you find something of yourself in her. And if you know none of my story and simply see a woman in motion, that belongs to you too.

24″ × 24″ Collector’s Edition

A signed and numbered archival giclée, created for collectors who value rarity, craftsmanship, and elevated fine-art presentation.

• Strictly limited to 50 prints
• 24″ × 24″ print size with a ¼-inch border
• Archival giclée fine art reproduction of the original acrylic painting
• Printed on FineArt Baryta paper
• Exceptional tonal range, deep blacks, and archival longevity
• Hand-signed by Ashley Karno
• Individually hand-numbered
• Certificate of Authenticity included
• Ships flat; frame and styling props not included
• Colors may vary slightly from screen to print
• Once all 50 prints find homes, the edition closes permanently

The Certificate of Authenticity applies specifically to the signed and numbered Collector’s Edition. It does not authenticate or convey ownership of the original painting.

Shipping

• I inspect every print, then pack it flat with protective, acid-free materials
• Most orders ship within 3–5 business days, and you receive tracking once your artwork is on its way
• International shipping is available; customs duties, taxes, or import fees are the recipient’s responsibility
• If your print arrives damaged, contact us within seven days with photos of the artwork and packaging, and we will arrange a replacement

Care

Frame behind UV-protective glass or acrylic. Keep the print away from direct sunlight, excess moisture, and high humidity.

A minimalist black or brushed-silver frame complements the silver form without competing with it.

Giving back

Ten percent of proceeds from every art sale supports FavorHouse of Northwest Florida and Gulf Coast Kids House — organizations helping children and families affected by abuse.