Tuesday, February 15, 2011

MOSES BOTKIN CHALLENGE February


























BIG RED
24" x 24" (61.0cm x 61.0cm)
oil on canvas
$550 plus $15.95 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

"Why don't you just throw out the shoes and use the boxes?" Poor Pop. Big Wal just couldn't help himself. He'd make that comment every time I got a new pair of shoes and being the dutiful daughter I was, I always laughed heartily for him. (I took the starch out of his imposing parental mystique by calling him Big Wally.) He was tall and sometimes very dark and very angry, however, being his only daughter, I somehow got away with my somewhat casual nickname.

Digressing. Back to the shoes. As an adolescent, each time they bought me shoes, my feet were growing at such an alarming rate, Big Wal surmised the boxes might prove to be a better fit, not to mention providing a much needed rest for his weary wallet. My feet, however, finally did stop growing, at size 10, much to everyone's relief. I thought it was neat. I was 10 and so were my feet, although I was haunted by the possibility of their size matching my age with each approaching birthday. But, happily, I had recently read a article listing the shoe sizes of various and sundry celebrities and I was, I reckoned, in very good company.

Of course, now, as we all know, being a, shall we say, somewhat mature adult, my feet have begun growing again. I have no comment on their present size.

"Paint your chucks!" was Diana's rally cry for this month's challenge. Wonderful subjects! Thank you Ms. Botkin! My only problem was finding mine. It was years ago. I'd just seen Rainman and thought Tom Cruise's squeeze in the movie was adorably sexy in her high top sneakers. I bought them but somehow adorably sexy didn't translate. I looked like a suburban woman in a pair of red sneakers. I was undaunted and happily, I still love me some high tops.

Not wanting to tempt fate and get an early start, I painted my canvas black this past Sunday evening, turned up the heat downstairs and closed it off in the hottest room in the house with  my 20th Century Fox wind machine, cleverly disguised as a fan, keeping the air briskly circulating about the wet surface. And subsequently, when I began painting the next day, I had so little time to complete it before forwarding it on to my challenge mates, I was forced to paint rather quickly. This was a good thing. I began to see the difference between rendering and creating...again. Still haunted by the belief that chops make the artist, I again got a much needed glimpse into the process of the artist I long to be. I plan to make much need visits to that vision as often as I possibly can. And yes, I know, you've heard that all before. Baby steps.

And now, without further prattling, savor these sneakers.....
















“Well Worn”
Oil on hardboard, 5”x7”
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin
http://dianamosesbotkin.blogspot.com/
























“Always Untied”
6x6 oil on panel
© 2011 Robin Cheers
http://robincheers.blogspot.com





















“Converse Reds”
6x6”  oil on canvas
©2011 Ruth Andre
http://apaintingday.blogspot.com


















“Satin Chucks”
9x12” oil on panel
© Vicki Ross
http://www.vickiandrandyrossart.blogspot.com/























“Just Hanging Out”
oil on hardboard, 6x6”
©2011 Sharman Owings
http://sharmanowingspaintings.blogspot.com/

16 comments:

  1. Wonderful post. I love your painting and your comments.

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  2. I love these wonderful paintings! I also have enjoyed painting my kids' worn out chuck taylors!
    Great post!
    Sheryl

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  3. Love, love, love your painting!! What a great challenge. Chucks are such an iconic image and red is my fav. Thanks for sharing the other entries also. Sadly I don't own any I may have to change that:)

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  4. Suzanne... I love to read your entries, almost as much as I love to see your paintings... I've always loved painting and drawing shoes, as well, but I never went so far as to get a pair of hightops... I'm just of a different generation, I suppose. I appreciate you all the more for the fact that you love dance, too ! ha !

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  5. oh man, chucks are the best--your paintings have such personality and a life all their own.
    faye

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  6. Love the story AND those shoes... Your shoes are just amazing and I enjoyed seeing the others as well...

    Yours are just perfection!

    Bises,
    Genie

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  7. You never cease to amaze me with your painting AND story telling abilities. Size ten by age ten ... wow.

    (And lucky you: one of those fortunate women who can go to any shoe sale and find the BEST shoes in your size because they are not picked over like the smaller ones.)

    Amen to your statement about "the difference between rendering and creating". I too keep trying, keep learning, and, ideally, keep growing. It's all good.

    As is your wonderful painting of the red shoes. They make me want to dance!

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  8. I'm in awe!!
    My favorites are both the red ones (because red is my favorite colour) and the ones hanging from the telegraph wire - What a great composition!
    I've never tried painting on board before, but I would love to give it a go one day :0)

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  9. Oh my gosh, Suzanne! You had me giggling throughout your post. Then I got to those hightops hanging on the high wire and actually laughed out loud. I've seen similar sights here. LOLOLOL I think your high tops are awesome! I once had a pair of the low tops. And if it is any consolation, my feet have gone from an 8 to a 9 over the years. Sigh...

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  10. Love the painting...so whimsical and fun!

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  11. Such fun!! Where did you all find these old sneakers? I recall them in the 60's. Love the zoom in version in red that you painted..and the blue ones...and the purple...oh, and even green! Amazing how you all selected such fun colors for them. The airborne pair is a familiar sight from childhood where the boys played pranks on one another. They're all fabulous!!

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  12. Love your story and your shoes! Everyone did a great job in the challenge!

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  13. These are all great!!! I still have a half dozen pairs (and yes, I have painted them on occasion)!

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  14. Lovely, as you know I love painting shoes, like the size of the canvas too.
    You can use black gesso as a ground or black acrylic paint as it dries in no time.

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  15. Thank you so very much for your wonderfully kind comments and support and for taking time out from your busy schedules to drop by and leave them. I'm eternally grateful.

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  16. great job, all these stars are similar to mine, and I also I have painted, if you like to see:

    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z7U9G-rdj9s/TaX5EbyEh1I/AAAAAAAAACg/1SyLysvrHv0/s1600/IMG_2026_003.JPG

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