Skip to main content

Why Shoes?

"First Shoes" - 6"x6" acrylic on canvas




"First Shoes" is my latest small painting, and one of my pieces currently in an Austin gallery group show that runs through January 5, 2020.

When I was dropping off my paintings for the show, a couple of people asked me, "Why shoes?" It's not the first time I've been asked, so I thought it would be a good topic to address in a blog post.

My shoe portraits are less about the shoes themselves and more about the wearer of the shoes - or, more accurately, the memories, sentiments and stories tied to the owners of the shoes. Perhaps they were the pair a child took their first steps in, or a child's favorite pair they insisted on wearing daily until they no longer fit or were worn through. Maybe they are a pair that represent something their owner is passionate about - dance, athletics, fashion. Perhaps they are connected to a profession such as service in the military. They could be associated with a special event, such as a first dance or a wedding. Whatever the pair - it's the story that lives in them that brings the paintings to life.

I can always tell when people "get it" at an art show because they immediately begin sharing shoe stories. I love seeing their faces light up as they tell me all about the shoes that hold special memories for them. That reaction - that joyful reminiscence - that is why I paint the shoe portraits.

Do you have a story about a favorite pair of shoes? Post it in the comments - I'd love to hear it!


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Overcoming Creative Inertia in a Pandemic

Have you seen the posts about Issac Newton developing calculus in quarantine and Shakespeare writing King Lear? Or maybe you've seen this one: If you don’t come out of this quarantine with either:  1.) a new skill  2.) starting what you’ve been putting off like a new business  3.) more knowledge  You didn’t ever lack the time, you lacked the discipline. Did either of them actually fire up your motivation? If they did, that's awesome, and I'm sincerely happy for you.  For the rest of us who spent each day wondering what happened to our creativity, our motivation, our passion for the projects we were working on, I'd like to share the following posts by @alexisrockley,  a psychology-certified coach on Twitter: I don't personally know her, but her message was exactly what I needed to hear to take that first step to overcoming this unwelcome inertia. I'm sharing it in hopes that it may help you, as well. As I'm sure is true ...
Post a Comment
Read more

35x35 Art Project - "Keep Dancing"

"Keep Dancing" 35cm x 35cm, acrylic on canvas by Alisha K Ard I was invited to participate in the 35x35 art project by the Copelouzos Family Art Museum, a contemporary art Museum in Athens, Greece, owned by Dimitris Copelouzos’ family. Each of the works in the art project are created on uniform 35 cm by 35 cm canvases, and the collection contains works by artists from around the world - USA, Europe, Asia and Latin America. My painting,"Keep Dancing," will become part of the Museum's permanent extensive collection created by a blend of established and emerging contemporary artists. It will also be featured in a published book about the 35x35 art project, along with the following insight to the creation of the painting: The vibrant colors of this painting are intended to delight the audience with the shiny black dance shoes, a red carnation hair adornment, and three yellow roses against a turquoise background. The red carnation is symbolic of love and...
Post a Comment
Read more

Painting with Purpose

Where Are You Going my Little One - Acrylic on upholstery by Alisha K. Ard I mentioned previously that, should I ever win the lottery, I would purchase one of every item in an art supply store. I would also own a library, comparable to the one the Beast gives Belle , and finally realize my life dream of being a philanthropist. (Dream BIG, right?) Unfortunately, this would require me to actually play the lottery. So, the best I have to offer right now are words of encouragement, clothing donations to shelters, a couple of hours here and there of my time volunteering, and donations I can make with my art. The most rewarding pieces I create are those that give back to causes I believe in, such as the painted chair pictured with this post. This piece was created a few years ago for a charity auction fundraiser to help raise money to buy beds for children. I had so much fun coming up with the concept for the design and then painting this piece. The title, “Where Are...
Post a Comment
Read more