Initially a portrait painter, Varley moved to Vancouver in 1926 to head the department of drawing and painting at the Vancouver School of Decorative and Applied Arts. The following year, he met 18-year-old Vera Weatherbie, who was studying at the school. Thus began a relationship that lasted almost ten years. Vera often modeled for Varley. This particular portrait is lively, slightly enigmatic and sensual. Note the painter's signature in the lower right. Varley left an impression of his thumb below his name.