Thursday, April 22, 2010

Branding My Shoes

I decided to kick off the my week of "working for keeps" by taking a risk in my art therapy practice. Recently, I had the opportunity to work with a young patient of about 13. Her nurse came up to me in the hall and lightly catching me by the arm, said "Adelle wants to paint her tennis shoes."  "Shoes hmmm?" I always enjoy a challenge like this in the midst of hospital hustle and bustle.  "What would I need to paint some tennis shoes, Converse cotton canvas to be precise?" I thought fast.

I would need:
•some acrylic paint thinned slightly in a variety of colors
•2 (at least) emesis basins (those kidney shaped bowls that are standard hospital issue.)
•several toothbrushes. Raid the supply room.
•What to do about the floor? Grab a plastic isolation gown and some medical tape. Spread it out like a tarp, and tape the arms and bottom firmly to the linoleum floor.

Adelle and I hunkered down on the floor and I experimented with my flick and spray techniques. She didn't have much experience in this area, but caught on quickly, expertly flicking the first layer of yellow drops on her orange shoes. A shy tween, she was hesitant at first, especially because our activity attracted the interest of the residents and the nurses who came in and out of her room and couldn't resist asking the obvious "What are you doing?" She smiled and flicked her toothbrush, spraying flecks of yellow. I was impressed. The shoes were looking great and with an additional layer of red and cerulean blue, they appeared as if a professional had created them. Which got me to thinking. Most likely Adelle (not her real name) had a lot more experience with Internet shopping than I and more than likely, Converse was marketing just such a shoe. I went home and checked it out on my laptop. Sure enough, there was an option to "make" your own shoe". I spent a bit of time changing the colors and patterns on my virtual shoe, but in the end, concluded that doing it in the flesh was  better.  I searched around the house, looking for a pair of my daughter's old Converse tennies to spray. Too late, I remembered that they'd gone to Goodwill in a paper sack. What to do? The answer came to me this morning from my friend and coworker Janelle (her real name) while we were sitting together. She stared down at my worn Dansko clogs (standard hospital wear) and noted the multiple flecks of white paint on one of them. "You ought to collage those" she said "you know, create your own brand." "A beautifully painted pair of clogs", definitely a keeper of an idea. I'll be painting, collaging and posting. Care to join me anyone?

25 comments:

  1. Can't wait to see the end result! The perfect accessory for an art therapist, I'd reckon!

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  2. Great idea...terrific little story...it will be fun to see the outcome.

    I painted a pair of my gardening clogs two months ago for an exhibition titled 'A Shoe of Her Own' (a strange take on Virginia Wolf's A Room of Her Own, don'tcha know)...the clog's made perfect shrines...so I call the piece 'Peace Walk' but my pals call it my 'shoe shrine'...here's the link if you feel like taking a peek:

    http://merci33.blogspot.com/2010/02/minds-wide-open-peace-walk.html

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  3. Iona,

    That is such a gorgeous piece and there is such an uncanny similarity in the impetus to create; for you, a shrine and in my case, a kind of walking testament to what I try to do. Thank you so much for sharing this.

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  4. I have seen paper collaged shoes using Japanese papers before...art magazine? Can't recall. If I find it I'll let you know. Anyway, they were awesome and I remember wanting to do it when I saw them, but never did. Can't wait to see your creations!
    Glad Adelle had so much fun painting hers!

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  5. after seeing a video on sneakers/running shoe fanatics who had all kinds of shoes and decorations etc I decided to paint my black leather running shoes with acryic paints. They were tres cool.

    And re: lynn's comment made me think I also used to make handmade paper etc and made several pairs of shoes out of paper that were really neat though you couldn't wear them or only once.

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  6. Love this Hannah! You and Adelle have inspired me to paint some shoes of my own. Hmmm...wonder how painted cowboy boots would look?

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  7. Hannah thanks so much for taking the time to check out my 'Shoe Shrine' I was so smitten with the way the project showed me the direction that it wanted to take.

    I would be fine with them being shared with the class...did you want to do that?

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  8. Thank you Lynn, Lanie, Suki and Iona,

    Its so amazing to think that while we're still sleeping out here in the West, people elsewhere are up, sipping their tea or coffee and checking their blogs! I love the idea of painted running shoes, Japanese paper collaged shoes, and the cowboy boots with their 'painted trails'. Running, walking, riding taken form; spirit become matter. I think this could be a wonderful idea for an on-line exhibit. Iona, I would happy to share your link on the class blog and will do so as soon as I finish putting on my running shoes!

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  9. What a great story. Can I ask how you got into art therapy. I am starting an art non-profit (http://www.rebeccastahr.com/artistBlog/?Category=HeART%20Touch) and what you do with patients at the hospital is something I could see myself incorporating into my work. Did you get training as an art therapist? Sorry for all the questions.

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  10. Oh, I love the clog idea! Before you even asked if we would join you, I was thinking about what shoes I could use. I love the idea of artsy clogs. I am sure you made that teenager's day by helping her paint her shoes.

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  11. Hi Rebecca,

    I got into art therapy (atx) about 12 years ago. At that time there was a postmaster's certificate program through UC Berkeley which sadly, no longer exists. It was a good idea bc you could come into it with a master's in art, psychology or social work and with some prerequisites, begin studying art therapy. I also had to do a 700 hour practicum as part which I did at UC Davis and an area hospice. All of this was a wonderful beginning to the work I'm able to do now in the hospital and hospice. I hope this helps. If you other questions-shoot!

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  12. Go Claudia!--and check out this site for painted clogs which are absolutely exquisite:

    http://theswanx.com/

    I've been at a collage class all day, so I'm going to check this out site too and then figure out what kind of paint to use--fun times ahead!

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  13. I am looking forward to seeing the collage clogs. Sadly my three pairs of tennies are so dirty that no art has a chance. I did embroider flowers all over my white tennies when I was in high school. I wore those shoes to rags.

    It's odd how someting special on the feat can affect one's mood.

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  14. I think that's absolutely true--they can be a sort of walking journal!

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  15. Hannah... I would love to join the party! what do I need?

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  16. Joyita,

    First, look at this website I mentioned above:
    http://theswanx.com/
    They have lovely designs that I think you might like; much of the design is inspired by Indian fabrics and art. food for thought. There are also a couple of process videos on the site. (Teaching tools on the fly!)Then, probably a trip to Michael's for small round brushes and a selection of acrylic paints is in order. A sealer would also be a good idea, but I haven't figured it out that bit yet. I'll let you know--or likewise if you get there first--Happy designing!

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  17. Good morning Hannah, Can I play as well? Would love to join the party and decorate/paint my shoes. I went to the website:http://theswanx.com/
    They have some beautiful clogs. So you think we might need a sealer? This sounds like fun! We should send you pictures of them when we are done.
    I wanted to thank you for asking me the question about houses and buildings that I paint. I am thinking about blogging about my story. Need to free write for a while and get it together with photos and paintings. So, Thank you! :)

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  18. This is SO cool! Love it. I love the work you do.

    I dyed my Converse high tops purple when I was in college. I remember how cool I felt pimping out my sneaks. So glad you could help someone do this.

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  19. Dora, I'd be delighted if you joined the shoe party! I think a sealer is a must. I'm thinking about Golden gloss medium. What do you think?

    Cynthia--love your enthusiasm!

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  20. Painting shoes to make them new again-great idea! I often do this by accident...Good start on the project, I guess.

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  21. hello. thank you for stopping by my blog. years ago after 9/11 I wrote an article for a magazine about the art of healing and how art can be used to help the healing process and I had to read and research the topic- so wonderful what you are doing here.

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  22. Donna,
    Thank you--I think the name of your blog speaks volumes (or layers!) to the power of art as a healing force. I witness this when I teach art classes (without the therapy piece) to adults outside the hospital. Often they'll start out somewhat skeptically and I never tire of seeing the amazement and renewed vitality in their faces as they create. It renews me.

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  23. I am inspired..must go dig through the closet and see what needs a facelift. Thanks for the call yesterday..resume, cover letter and 3 writing samples out of here at midnight last night. Phew!

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  24. Oh, I can't wait to see the outcome. Guess I will have to follow you so I don't have to remember to check back (lol). Good luck!

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  25. Beth, I look forward to seeing what your closet reveals. I've got my supplies--so onto the design!

    Deanna, I'm glad to meet you! Memory is definitely a laughing matter here at my house!

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