A painting of what appears to be a flamenco dancer, mid performance/routine by celebrated contemporary figurative artist, Fletcher Sibthorp, entitled, ‘Red Velvet’. Black background. Exceedingly black, for maximum dramatic effect given the nature of the foreground. A woman, a flamenco dancer, dressed from head to toe in traditional flamenco performance attire, the most vivid of red, lipstick/blood red, ruffles and thrills, bending, twisting, contorting, lost in her fluid movements and the rhythm of the night. Inspired by the drama, romance and power play synonymous with flamenco dancing and the stories behind the routines. The trade-off between the intense dark backdrop and the illuminating ruby red of the dancer’s dress, as well as the overall sense of balance in the composition affords it immediate impact; it’s bold, daring, evocative colours, weight and almost photo-realistic quality that would bring any room to life with its presence.