Friday, October 16, 2009

Saddle Shoes

Wasn't it in the 50's that saddle shoes were the rage along with poodle skirts? My only personal memory of saddle shoes is the time a US Army doctor convinced my mother that I needed orthopedic saddle shoes to help correct my flat feet when I was 9 or 10 years old. I was "horrified" that I had to wear tan and brown saddle shoes when my friends all wore cute patent leather Mary Janes. Now I think they're cool again.

When I went to SF with Benny Alba a couple of months ago, I was lucky enough to sit across this dignified gentleman. He carried a cotton blue and red bag on his shoulder but I thought he looked very dapper with his white cap, white slacks and saddle shoes.


8x8 oil on hardboard

24 comments:

gh said...

You are awesome! I love the bit of reflection beside him.
Saddle shoes, are, well in again I think as i see a few people wearing them now, but for you to have to wear them as a child, you poor thing ;)
You are amazing

Manon said...

I just love saddle shoes and I do think they're in again! Wonderful work Sheila!!!

Paintings by Irit Bourla said...

Honest to G-D! I was sure that this one is Karin's. Yes Karin jurick.
You are doing such a great job I feel proud for you.
Beautiful painting Sheila.
Big WOW to you.

r garriott said...

Oh, Sheila, you always make me smile! This is painting is great-- love the composition and bright bits of color.

You made me recall my own saddle shoes that I had in nursery school (about age 4)... I hated them so much, I got up early one morning and threw ONE in the trash (somehow I thought my mom would never believe I "lost" BOTH of them)... what a rotten kid! (And I haven't worn a pair of saddle shoes since.)

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

love this.
I went to Parochial School and part of the uniform was saddle shoes which I hated. This was during the time when "beatle boots' and "english walkers' were cool shoes and I was always getting sent to the head nun's office about the shoe rebellion. She said I was defiant....and I was. She was an idjit :D

Diana Marshall said...

Very cool painting, and I love all the other commentors stories, had a good laugh!

pattrsnd said...

This is so impressionistic Sheila...love it! You should check out Desmond O'Hagan's work...I've taken two workshops from him. Your work reminds me of his...loose and colorful!

My website has a page on one of the the workshops I took. If you want to check it out: http://www.davidpattersonartist.com/links.php?22880

Have a great weekend Sheila!

dominique eichi said...

Wow, I love your posts because on top of a great piece of art you entertain us with great little stories . I like the reflection in the window too. I never had a pair like that. :(
ps ck the reply from ur comment =)

Edward Burton said...

Wonderful job, Sheila -- you sure do see all kinds of people on BART.

Art with Liz said...

Fantastic painting lovely Sheila! Never knew about 'saddle shoes' You learn something new every day.

artbyakiko said...

Cool BART scene! I love the reflection on the glass.

Elizabeth Chapman said...

LOve it!!

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

What a hoot! I never knew so many people hated saddle shoes. They all must be younger than me. We loved them in the 50's to early 60's. Also penny loafers.

Love the painting, he looks so relaxed.

Autumn Leaves said...

Sheila, you have such a unique style that serves every one of your subjects very well indeed. This man is truly dapper looking and I really like the saddle shoes. My daughters had a pair each when they were little...and a pair of penny loafers...and of course, they hated them both. I thought they always looked so darned cute in school! This is a really gorgeous painting, so nicely done!

Dean H. said...

Great work on this one, Sheila! Beautiful color and brushwork!

Some time ago,I retrieved my wife's saddle shoes from a storage box, thinking they would make a fine painting subject!

Lauren Maurer said...

Why oh why do you not paint people more often?? I love this! Really expressive and very well done! :)

Lokelani Forrest said...

Love this painting Sheila. The gentleman does look very dignified. I had a pair of saddle shoes when I was young, but we called them oxfords. I really didn't mind them. When I was grown I found a pair in Goodwill (I think)...bought them and wore them for the longest time. I loved them.

Dana Cooper said...

I feel your pain Sheila, I too had to wear saddle shoes!
Great painting, I want to see more figures from you, they are awesome!

Stephen Dell'Aria said...

That is an excellent painting. Everything about it is perfect. Really nice!!!

Gwen Bell said...

Awesome work Shelia! There are so many areas of interest here. Of course I love the figure...great proportion, and those shoes!
But another area that is pure eye candy is the side of the seat. The reflection on the metal parts and the way it angles is perfection.

Anne Marie Propst said...

This is just gorgeous. Great job.

Maria Kovalenko Leysens said...

I also want to add that this is a favorite of mine. I agree your style is loose and fresh and subject is so interesting and fun.

Linny D. Vine said...

Very dapper, indeed! Lovely job on this one, Sheila.

adebanji said...

Fresh and vibrant!