There are entire novels nestled in the tresses in each of these images. The painting by Gerhard Richter I have adored for many many years. It’s a portrait of his daughter Betty and it simply transports me.  Last week in Portland I spied my niece sitting at the table drawing and had to take this photo. Her new favorite way of doing her hair, two French braids chignon’d together and garnished with a lily, says so much about who she is. It wasn’t until I got home and reviewed my photos that I made the connection to Betty. Ah, to be six years old. I wonder if Betty is six in this painting.