Today, I saw something that made me smile with joy...the work of a young artist in Kenya who customises shoes. His name is Eddie, and he paints colourful patterns and illustrations on trainers - track boots, as we call them in my country. You can find him on Instagram @bujamikeed.
The shoes he customises are so attractive, I wouldn't want to trek through dusty or rain-drenched streets in them. I'd want to wear them only to pretty places. Either that, or I would find a way to coat the illustrations so that the artwork is never damaged.
Know what makes me happy about this too? The fact that someone can take his skill and turn it into a business of his own.
Painting on shoes is a wonderful way to upcycle old sneakers. First, I'd take them to a shoe repair person to glue, stitch, pad the insoles, repair the outsoles, then I'd do some illustrations on them. Except I'm not an illustrator or an artist.
I wish I could pay Eddie to paint my favourite pair of sneakers. They are old now, the black has faded to grey, and the white rubber is a bit stained. Unfortunately, Eddie is too far away. Maybe I could buy small, decorative patches and sew them on. Or I can make my own patches and stitch or glue them on.
The possibilities are endless, the work we can create with shoes. Think about it! (Check my Money tab later for ideas.)
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