Many folks ask me about the story behind the “Issues” paintings. These are the paintings that are of the red, blue, green and gray stilettos. I have finally gotten a chance to document the gory story that evoked the wonderful series of shoes, the rocky road that inspired this and how something fun can come from something not so pleeasant.

Here is the story of “Issues”:

Encounters of the daily routine can be overwhelming and quite the adventure. I like to think that I am pretty resilient and tough against most difficult individuals and confronting situations. This story not only proves my theory but puts me on the top of my game.

A couple of years ago I was organizing an event with some local artists on a project where we were given the opportunity to receive some nice local press and some kudos on the endeavors. I notified the group of artists that the press would be on site at a designated date and timeframe and there may be a chance of them coming around to the entire group to interview them may be a possibility. 

Most of the folks that were new in the group were interviewed and some photos were taken, everyone seemed happy and the interviews concluded.  I checked in to the rest of the group to say thank everyone for their time and patience, much to my surprise I was greeted with a harsh grumpy tone from one of the artists who knew it was me on the line (caller  ID) and proceeded to rant about how they were overlooked with the press and how dare we not had them placed first in the queue because they had been there longer than the rest of the group and bla bla bla . 

I calmly attempted to explain that it was not our doing, the press had their own spin on the story and chose to select some of the others in the group.  I was rudely cut short with a curt “I do not have the time to discuss this any longer” and with that, he hung up on me.  So, there I was with the dead phone in my hand and no caller on the other end.  I was rather perplexed and looked at the handset of the phone wondering if this had really happened and simply said to the empty phone “OK, you can keep your issues and I will keep my red shoes!” 

I hung up the phone and then though to write what I had said out loud in my book where I keep my artsy thoughts.  That evening, still reeling from the feeling and somewhat seeing a light of humor of the whole bizarre thing, I kept reflecting on the conversation and what a hot head this person was and why he had acted that way. I thought to call him back and try and make a clear path, but seeing that this was not a possibility and useless I chose to paint away the frustrations and decided to mix it up with the play on words I had written down. I thought “I love my red shoes” and this would be one of the situations where I would make lemonade out of lemons.  I painted a cute red strappy high heel shoe.  It came alive and was so vivid and joyful, I could have not expressed myself better and also felt a ton of weight lifted off as I kept working on this piece.  It was finally finished and after a few hours and admiring this, I titled this piece “Issues – Red Stiletto” so fitting of the whole experience and sassy enough to be witty, fun and sexy.

The series of the “Issues” were followed later by Blue Stiletto, Green Stiletto and Gray Stiletto.

Issues, we all got 'em!

I managed to make the best of a crummy situation and walk in shoes that I am proud to walk in, stand tall and proud. Bring it on I say, I will always and forever create to enhance my mood and to paint away the negativity that may approach me.

I hope you liked this story and that it brought a smile to your face!