The Billerettes Print

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A familiar sight at Carnivals and events across Derbyshire and the North West, the Billerettes are a (nearly) all male majorette dancing troupe. Named after their founder Bill Weston, they perform in short skirts and wigs, raising money for charity. Here they perform in the rain on the carnival field by Torr Vale Road, New Mills, Derbyshire.  I have used mainly charcoal in this piece, and the resulting drawing is predominantly black and white. The only colour is the bright orange of the dancers’ uniform, and a single gold fish in a plastic bag, (a little girl’s Fairground prize.) This is a celebration of a very Northern type of silliness which brings entertainment regardless of the Northern weather. Part of my New Mills art prints collection.