A series of shoe pieces originally inspired by festivals and music events, parties and places where splendid shoes are perfect for the moment!

These include adverts for women’s garments as well as fashion brands from all over the world.

Several of the pieces use real gold leaf and all pieces are individually created using washes of acrylic paints, gesso, oil pastel and mixed media.

Kirsten has created shoe paintings throughout her life. The idea originally came from the story of the 12 dancing princesses who wore their shoes out dancing after midnight every evening. The shoes depicted are from designer shops, markets, charity shops or borrowed from friends. They are universal, diverse and desirable! Whatever the shoes or the purpose, our shoes carry us through life and the story continues…

Each piece is painted on a page of vintage music including a vintage opera score to Madam Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini. The words of the opera are edited to create an alternative interpretation and the shoe image is a decadent pair of shoes or boots, an optimistic statement of drama and fun, with a musical and cultural backdrop.

Fragments of collaged papers tell ‘the story’ of the shoes.. referencing a theme or a colour (each is different) these include images of ‘wild flowers’ , stamps and fragments of maps as well as Victorian collage papers. Also included are advertisements from vintage fashion magazines such as Vogue and Harpers and Queen.

The ‘Fashion Bubble’ Boots were bought in Switzerland and are modern, elegant but just a bit on the edge! Created from black leather and bubble wrap, they are a touch reminiscent of Blondie looking splendid in a black bin liner! Text includes a quote from Mary Quant, in German, French fashion adverts and definitions of boot and bubble from a 60s dictionary. A real one off piece!

Kirsten creates shoe portraits for individuals, if you have a pair of shoes that really should be immortalised, please get in touch!