A native Washingtonian, Burdette’s portraiture of famous people in history garnered acclaim for accuracy, as she used a combination of portraits and photographs to portray the closest likeness possible. She was rated among the top American portrait painters, and created many miniatures that won honors at the Royal Society of Miniature Painters in London. About three years before her death, she was forced to give up her work due to failing eyesight, and instead remained active in Washington art groups.