First Ribbons draws on the artist's highly developed sensitivity for the experience of the dancer, and displays a personal moment of accomplishment. We witness the young dancer holding the first pair of toe shoes, or “ribbons”, she earned moments ago. MacDonald uses subtle but effective modeling to juxtapose youth and adulthood: the facial expression of the girl is one of young adulthood – young and confident – yet her tights are bunched in the rear, which serves to reinforce her youth. First Ribbons exhibits timeless appeal associated with the ballet works by Degas, with the unmistakable character that can only be attributed to Richard MacDonald.