Saturday, March 22, 2008

Show Me Some Leg


When I'm totally broke (usually the case as a working artist) I cannot, I must not succumb to my most favorite of obsessions: impractical shoes.
As a size 35 European, my choices in footwear are limited to old lady loafers with tassels, children's shoes and couture footwear from discount department stores. I choose the latter most emphatically.

In my recently cleaned out closet(s)--I am also a clotheshorse as well--I found my beautiful Dolce and Gabbana black and white genuine cowhide slingbacks. Still in their box, I have only worn them once, but no matter. I own them to own them. To admire them. To create my own little shoe museum.

I have little occasion to don haute couture fashion. Usually in cotton leggings and my father's ancient oversize promotional tees from various marathons in the 1980s whilst in the house and only a pair of galoshes to spice up the outfit when I venture out, high fashion eludes my day to day activities.

Without money to spare, yet with an itch for couture, I draw. I draw the shoes I want to own, I paint the outfits I want to buy. Creating fashion through my imagination relieves a bit of my fashion anxiety and most thankfully saves my pocketbook from total destruction.

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13 comments:

Hadley Makes said...

I love your new banner and the legs/shoes. If only I had your skill I would perhaps only paint the clothing I desire. As it is, I spend far too much on shoes and the like...

pve design said...

Octavine, you my dear are not poor, your riches lie in your work, wealthy with color, passion and a gift to draw and paint what you imagine. No one can buy the talent that you have. It is work, but you show so much more than just "leg."

Mary-Laure said...

I just found your blog and I LOVE it! I adore the 1920's and recently bought a 1920's dress at a flea market in Paris (featured on my blog). Your illustrations are extraordinarily elegant and beautiful!

Waterrose said...

Perhaps you should turn those designs into the real thing! Love post!

Anonymous said...

Oh I love buying shoes! And I have the closet to prove it. It's fun to destroy the pocketbook once in a while!

/// said...

Oh gracious--- I love this! :)

EvaAmarri said...

Hey thanks for visiting my blog. Love urs. Would u like to link

Anonymous said...

Beautiful painting! I too sometimes paint the clothes/shoes that I want! :) Great job!

Anonymous said...

What a great post. I too have a shoe and clothes fetish! But I cannot draw mine out with my imagination! Good job!!

Anonymous said...

mama is gaga for shoes! Love that legs print! My hubby doodled some sexy sandaled feet once and I made him turn it into a finished illustration! Love it!

Thanks for visiting tree girl. She's weird. I drew her baby picture the other day. I'll probably post it tomorrow!

Di Overton said...

I have stopped wearing work clothes for painting. I now wear a long linen apron which I love so much I am scared of getting paint on it.

suzannemarques said...

great illustrations! i blog about things i desire, even if i spend more than i should on clothes & art. how lovely it must be to create what you crave... the shoes sound magnificent!

tangobaby said...

Those legs are gorgeous! I think you are probably so talented that you could design and create wonderful outfits to go with your shoes. Look what you can do with paper already.

I have purchased amazing shoes that have waited patiently in my closet for years for just the right outfits to do the shoes justice. You just have to trust and know that the right shoes will always find the right clothes, but sometimes it takes a while and you can't push fate!