Chyanne Pardy, 11, had a chance to meet Newfoundland artist Barbara Pratt during an exhibit of Pratt’s new work at the Emma Butler Gallery. A painting of the 11-year-old is featured in the exhibition.
“I was in shock. I had no words,” Chyanne told The Southern Gazette Tuesday.
She explained her parents knew in advance that her painting would be on display at the Emma Butler Gallery, but kept it a secret.
“I only was told that morning when I got the (letter) saying I was invited to go see it that afternoon,” explained the 11-year-old. “My parents have known since September.”
Chyanne’s mother Melissa Pardy, who is originally from St. Lawrence, said that she was very proud when she learned about the painting of her daughter in the exhibit.
“Chyanne has worked so hard since (she) started dancing — to know other people besides us could see that was awesome,” Pardy said.
The young girl, a dancer since 2009, said she was excited when she got to see the painting for the first time at the exhibit opening.
“It was pretty exciting at first,” she said. “I think she did a great job on it. I think that it is really cool.”
Chyanne also got to meet Barbara Pratt.
Pratt said her latest work was a way for her to look back on her youth.
“I wanted to paint girls and young women as a way of remembering and thinking about my own childhood,” she said. “I never took dance lessons, but the subject was a good metaphor for life.”
She took photographs during several recitals in 2014 to use as a reference for the paintings.
Pratt explained there was something about Chyanne’s presence on stage that stood out to her.
“Chyanne looked really confident and pleased with her ability,” she said. “I liked how sure of herself she appeared.”
Pratt added that she was unsure if she was ever like that herself as a child.
“From what I am told I was not — I was a shy kid,” she explained further.
“Chyanne looks like she is in control, it is as though she was saying ‘Look at how at how good I am at this. Isn’t it wonderful?’ As a grown up, I look back at my childhood and think it would have been great to be like Chyanne.”
The experience was an education for Pratt.
“I learned la lot about technique in the process,” she said.
She added much like her other shows, hard work went into preparing for this exhibit.
“Once the work was done I was able to sit back and look at all the paintings together,” she said. “As a group they are very powerful for me, as they are all linked to my own life in some way. It has been a very emotional experience.”
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