Danseuse 

Milt Kobayashi painted ‘Danseuse’ using oils to depict the dancer in a resting pose. The way in which Kobayashi has used the oil paints influences the work’s appearance. Here, the consistency of the medium becomes important, with the artist imbuing the dancer's form with rich colors and textures using layers of paint. Notice, for instance, how the dancer's leotard is captured in bold shades of green, while the brushstrokes capture a sense of both movement and the quiet, intense labor of ballet. Kobayashi has created a surface enlivened with gestural marks and dynamic brushwork. The pink and blue polka dots in the background of the painting are loosely defined, almost as though the scene exists in the dancer's imagination. Kobayashi's engagement with these techniques reflects the histories of creative practices, as well as those of craft and fine arts. Ultimately, in understanding the full meaning of ‘Danseuse’, it is important to consider the labor involved in the production process, thus challenging any traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.