Caroline Belanger
Two Step, 2022
Mixed media on paper
20 x 16 x 2 in.
(50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm)
Cattle Baron’s Ball Fundraiser

Cattle Baron’s Ball is the largest single-night fundraiser in the nation for cancer research through the American Cancer Society. To date, the ball has generated over $93 million in only 49 years. This annual western themed extravaganza has brought talent like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, George Strait, Dwight Yoakam, Brad Paisley, and Dierks Bentley to entertain, along side a wildly successful live and silent auction.

Upon my second invitation to donate to the silent auction, I wanted to continue with the Texas theme, but in a different way.  What’s the one thing all good Texans own?  Cowboy boots.  What is the truly Texan dance all Texans know? The Two Step.  And what is a favorite past time every fall?  College football.  The allegiances to Texas schools and their football teams is strong.  There are bitter rivalries that have lasted generations. In Two Step, I wanted to show the dance between couples, some that have been sweethearts since their college days and the house divided couples that went to different schools.

I studied popular cowboy boot design and created three different styles for cutting. I collected metallic and glitter papers. I lined up the boots in pairs. Though not as three-dimensional as my butterfly pieces, there is a subtle dimensionality and perspective.

I’ve also made small pieces customized to a couple’s school origins or whatever colors they’d prefer.