This is a collection of illustrations that I painted for a picture book about the journey of ballet intertwined with girlhood. I chose to use different female characters in each of the illustrations because it represents a struggle that is familiar to many passionate young girls and women. Following your dreams means being brave, yet there can still be many insecurities when you take a road less traveled. This work shows the high and low points of following your passion and the harsh realization that you are not the only one with this dream.