Fast Forward 40 Years

In  2008, I saw the same pair of shoes in two surprising places.  The shiny, hot pink patent leather stilettos first appeared in a primary classroom (the early grades, including KDG, 1, 2 and often 3,) worn by the classroom teacher.  I had observed a principal or two wear high heeled shoes frequently beginning in the 90's, but usually with a stacked heel, and no more than 3 inches in height.

Stiletto sighting - in schools:  pencil, .8 black Micron pen and Faber-Castille Indian ink marker on 400 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

I think the platform on the ball portion of the foot helped to give additional height to the heel, or stiletto portion - at least 4 inches from floor to base of the portion housing the heel itself. I couldn't imagine spending the day working with young children wearing this type of shoe.  It was always my goal to talk with children as close to eye level as possible, and the idea of adding another 4 inches in height did not seem practical to my way of teaching. 

Stiletto sighting - in schools:  pencil, .8 black Micron pen, Faber-Castille Indian ink marker and FW acrylic ink on 400 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge.

 The second place I saw the same shoe, or almost the same shoe (from 10 feet away it was difficult to tell, with precision,) was at the local high school.  A young lady was walking into the front of the building, with a mass of other students, teetering on her pair of hot pink stiletto platforms.

This was not the vision of beauty suggested with each application of small, pink plastic stilettos that adorned the feet of Barbie Dolls across the country in my youth.  This vision appeared to be very new to not only stilettos, but walking in high heels, in general.  She was really putting her shoulders into balancing, and it seemed sensible that her heavy books appeared to be in her backpack, strapped to her back.   Her arms took on an almost wing-like flutter and it seemed fortunate that she was flanked on either side by friends, and doors were propped open for the masses to enter prior to the first bell.   I can remember wondering if her bulging backpack also contained a spare pair of lower-heeled shoes....just in case.

Stiletto sighting - in schools:  pencil, .8 black Micron pen, Faber-Castille Indian ink marker and FW acrylic ink on 400 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge.

As I recall, my main thought, in both "sightings" was, "....have a great day and.....you must have fabulous ankle strength!" 

Functional and Required

The second pair of shoes on the school supply list and required to be left at school was "gym shoes."  Unlike the designer brands on the market today, signed by multi-million dollar sports figures (primarily basketball players,) the gym shoes of my early years were white canvas with gummy ochre soles and white shoe laces.

Jumpin' Rope - pencil,  and .8 black Micron pen on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge.

Once again, ties were required - no slip-on, deck shoe versions were allowed.  Lace-up guy shoes continued to be a staple on the school supply list even after loafers were allowed for daily wear. 

Jumpin' Rope - pencil, .8 black Micron pen, FW acrylic ink and Faber-Castille Indian ink brush tip markers on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge.

Penny Loafers

Two cosmic forces aligned near the same time and the penny loafer entered our school scene.  The first force was that the Stride Rite Shoe Company developed and marketed a "sturdy" version of the penny loafer.  It had all of the essential features...

Penny Loafers - Pencil on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on the image to enlarge.

 ...you could slide them on your feet and they would stay on without shoe laces,.......

Penny Loafers - Pencil and .5 black Micron pen on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on the image to enlarge.

 you could wear them with a variety of sock styles, including anklets, tube socks (both high and low,) and nylons, ...

Penny Loafers - Pencil and .5 black Micron pen on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on the image to enlarge.

 ...they had top stitching, a reinforced shank and heel (no metal toes, however)....

Penny Loafers - Pencil , .5 black Micron pen, and Faber-Castille Indian ink on  300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on the image to enlarge.

 .....and most importantly, a slot for a penny in each shoe! 

Penny Loafers - Pencil , .5 black Micron pen, and Faber-Castille Indian ink on  300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on the image to enlarge.

 The second cosmic force that nearly aligned with Stride Rite manufacturing was a shift in thinking by the authorities that created and enforced our school dress code.  For more than a decade only tie shoes had been allowed in school.  The rationale included the need for strong ankles to negotiate the school terrain both indoors and out, and the ever persistent concern that if shoes didn't tie, children would simply walk out of their shoes and run wildly down the hallways in their stocking feet....how would laundering every get the soles of those socks clean????? Plus, there might be sliding, both intentional and accidental, and injuries.  

Penny Loafers - Pencil , .5 black Micron pen, and Faber-Castille Indian ink on  300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on the image to enlarge.

As I suggested in an earlier post, I also think there was a third reason for the shift, not nearly as cosmoc,  in thinking that was only discussed in the teacher's lounge. I suspect that teachers were also tired of wearing tie oxford shoes and were anxious to explore the world of shoe fashion.  Not only were all students held to the rigid tie-shoe mandate, teachers were also held to the same mandate.  As students, we never saw an enforcement of the rule for the staff, but those "sensible tie oxfords" were everywhere.

Having a mother who was a teacher in another location also provided a little insight into the way in which her school did business.  She and her colleagues would sometimes refer to a part of teacher meetings, from time to time, that dealt with teacher attire, such as skirt length, sleeves vs. sleeveless, stocking (also called hose,) jewelry, make-up and I remember one reference to a discussion about hair.  Women were allowed to wear trousers under a dress or skirt when entering or exiting the building if there was particularly cold weather, but pants could not remain on in the classroom.    Specific dress codes were well established for everyone.

Kind of helps to explain the late 1960's and early 1970's, doesn't it?

Ties and Toes???

As slide on shoes became more and more common throughout the school, particularly for the older students, more revealing styles were tested from time to time to see if the dress code police were vigilant.  Since it was clear that sandals were not allowed, variations of the tie shoe were some of the first to appear.

Ties and Toes - .8 black micron pen and Faber Castille Indian ink on Strathmore 300 series mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge.  

The argument was that it was not a slide shoe at all, but the revered tie shoe that clearly fit into the dress code parameters.  As you can imagine, the issue was not the laces but the visible TOES. 

Ties and Toes - .8 black micron pen and Faber Castille Indian ink on Strathmore 300 series mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

Ties and Toes - .8 black micron pen and Faber Castille Indian ink on Strathmore 300 series mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

Saddle Shoes

Each and every year my school shoes looked exactly the same as the year before.  My mother was convinced that Stride Rite saddle shoes were the only shoe for school.

Saddle Shoes - Pencil on Strathmore 300 series mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge.

Although my mother was an elementary school teacher, the essential nature of wearing saddle shoes was reaffirmed annually by our doctor, Dr. Wise (the name alone is enough to solidify his role as Divine mentor and advisor, right?)

Saddle Shoe - Pencil and .8 black Micron pen on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

I always wondered how many children in her class each year has the "opportunity" to wear saddle shoes.  Historically, they were the "gotta have it" footwear for more than a decade.  I, however, was not in the GHI club.  I would try to wait as long as possible to make the shoe shopping trip in the hope that some miraculous new shoe style would make it big, and I would have other choices to consider.

Saddle Shoe - Pencil, .8 black Micron pen, black India ink (Pentel pocket pen) and color Indian ink (Faber Castille brush pens)  on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge.

I guess, in a way, that is what happened ten years into the saddle shoe routine.  Stride Rite, inched their way into the sturdy loafer market - penny holder and all!

Saddle Shoe - Pencil, .8 black Micron pen, black India ink (Pentel pocket pen), color Indian ink (Faber Castille brush pens) and FW acrylic ink on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge.

Although there was only one style and one color, it was Utopia in the shoe department the first year I could try on loafers.  In addition, the first year I got loafers was only the second year "slide on" shoes were allowed at school.  After the lengthy discussion about ankle injuries and shoe loss, the powers in charge gave non-tie shoes for the student body the "go-ahead." 

I have wondered, looking back, if it was the teachers and administrators that wanted to wear something besides a "comfortable oxford with ties" to work, as well.  Although we did not have school uniforms, we had the next best thing for everyone who went to school daily - the school dress code or perhaps I should more precisely say, ...the enforced school dress code.

SCAMPERED - Combined

During my Book Arts class, a new type of shoe appeared on the shoe scene - one with toes.  This inventive newcomer seemed to me to be a cross between a tennis shoe and a glove. 

SCAMPERed newcomer - Pen and ink drawing on Strathmore 500 series mixed media paper.  Shading with Faber Castell Indian Ink brush pens.  Click on image to enlarge. 

The Next Best Thing.....

Next to new crayons, new school shoes made September a time to look forward to! I was always excited about the new drawing and writing supplies, but had many friends who couldn't wait to shop for that new pair of school shoes AND the "store-at-school GYM shoes."

Summer sandals - quick sketch.   Pen and ink on 500 series Strathmore mixed media paper with FW acrylic ink wash and Faber Castell Indian Ink in brush pen form shading.  Click on image to enlarge. 

While I was a member of a pen and ink class at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts, we were encourage to sketch daily.  One of the examples was of an artist who created small images of the shoes on people's feet as he explored his city.  I originally thought the creator of these images was Alphonzo Dunn, but I cannot find any internet references to these types of images created by him.  I will continue to look through my notes, sketchbooks, and online, so that I can give the correct citation to the originator of this idea.  In the meantime, I will be sharing a variety of shoe images to continue my tribute to those in the world of education, who have made the pilgrimage "back to school...."

During my K - 12 life, we were not allowed to wear sandals to school.  "Tie shoes" were the required attire and in the early days of loafers (the shoe,) countless classmates were sent home for improper school attire - and I attended to public school......  rumor has it that private schools, where uniforms were required, were even more strict.

Of course the dress code was enforced for clothing, as well.   Knee-length dresses and skirts for all females, and non-jean trousers for males; socks on all.  No "James Dean" style T-shirts, or sleeveless ....anything.  A well disguised pair of culottes was always discovered, and even cotton duck trousers fell into the jeans category.  Several times a week, if not daily, someone was walking home to change clothes, and return to school.

I noticed today that ASCD has an article about enforcing dress codes.....isn't it interesting how philosophies and practices rotate on a cyclical trajectory? Well, overarching philosophy - not actual code......

A New Box.........

From time to time, the story of Rabbit going through daily living will pop up in my creative babbling.  In this image the viewer will need to decide if the box is crayons is MAXIMIZED or if the rabbit has been MINIMIZED.....

A New Box - pencil and .5 black micron pen on 300 series Bristol paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

Which way do you think the image has been MODIFIED? 

A New Box -  .5 black micron pen and Intense pencils activated with water on 300 series Bristol paper.  Click on image to enlarge.

M.O. Veggies

Wouldn't you love to know what MO stands for??  Any ideas?

M.O. Veggies - .8 black Micron pen on Strathmore 300 series mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

M.O. Veggies - .8 black Micron pen on Strathmore 300 series mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

M.O. Veggies - .8 black Micron pen and Derwent Inktense pencils activated with water  Strathmore 300 series mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

M.O. Veggies - .8 black Micron pen and Derwent Inktense pencils activated with water  Strathmore 300 series mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

M.O. Veggies - .8 black Micron pen and Derwent Inktense pencils activated with water  Strathmore 300 series mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

Gripper

What if crayons were shaped to be functional?  Knife handles, scissors, pruners, and many small hand tools are designed to make the task efficient and often include safety considerations.

Stellar

aSPIREing

A-SPIREing is a smaller, weekend version of an earlier crayon called WURMZ. 

aSPIREing - pencil, black .5 micron pen, and Inktense pencil activated with water on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge.

aSPIREing -Black .5 micron pen, and Inktense pencil activated with water on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge.

Grand Marais Bay

The smooth, flat rocks that line the north shore around Grand Marais Bay, in Minnesota, provide a unique beach experience.  For those with tremendous arm strength, the majority of beach rocks are the perfect shape for "skipping" across the surface of the water.  These gems are smooth and flat, and range in size from about the size of a quarter to a utility-size tire. 

Grand Marais Bay - Pencil, .5 black micron pen, and Inktense pencils on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

The color of north shore rocks are also beautiful and reveal the rich iron they contain.  A range of rusty siennas to deep indigo blue-grays abound.

Grand Marais Bay - Pencil, .5 black micron pen, and Inktense pencils on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

Between Grand Marais and Duluth is a large tachonite processing plant.  At any given time when the ice in not lining the shoreline, you can look out into the lake and see mammoth ore barges headed to the smelters of the mid-west and east and out through the St. Lawrence. Generally, those freighters headed east are riding low and filled with tons and tons of tachonite, while those headed west are empty and headed into port to spend the week loading. 

Grand Marais Bay - Pencil, .5 black micron pen, and Inktense pencils on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

I am not sure if the little stone lining the bigger rocks is really representative of the patterns found along the shoreline.  I'll claim "artistic license" to make the image more visually appealing! 

Grand Marais Bay - Pencil, .5 black micron pen, and Inktense pencils on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

Spruced-Up

I continue to wonder what the product of these SCAMPERed crayons would actually look like. 

Spruced-Up - Pencil, .5 black micron pen, and Inktense pencil activated with water brush on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

Spruced-Up - Pencil, .5 black micron pen, and Inktense pencil activated with water brush on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

Spruced-Up - Pencil, .5 black micron pen, and Inktense pencil activated with water brush on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

Spruced-Up - Pencil, .5 black micron pen, and Inktense pencil activated with water brush on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

Spruced-Up - Pencil, .5 black micron pen, and Inktense pencil activated with water brush on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

Orbital

Time to launch into space for that creative color...

Orbital - Pencil, and .5 black micron pen on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

Orbital - Pencil,  .5 black micron pen and Inktense pencils activated with a water brush on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge.

Orbital - Pencil,  .5 black micron pen and Inktense pencils activated with a water brush on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge.

Orbital - Pencil,  .5 black micron pen and Inktense pencils activated with a water brush on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge.

Carrots 'n Tops

I wonder how the size of a crayon was originally determined.  "Kindergarten" crayons seem to lose their appear by the time children are 5.   I can recall a brief introduction of chunky blocks of single color crayons and chunky blocks of conglomerate waxy coloring chunks, but it doesn't seem like they every caught on.  The ones I remember were shaped in a cylindrical form, but rectangular - sometimes with slightly rounded corners.  Occasionally I have seen pyramid-shaped primary and secondary colored chunks and round ball-shaped crayons with a pointed protrusion, marketed as appropriate for small hands.  I haven't seen these make the school scene either.  It seems like almost all crayons, no matter who makes them, are a uniform size, shape, and pretty standardized colors. 

So, what if crayons were shorter and larger in diameter?  Would these be viewed as "baby" crayons by sophisticated first and second graders, or could these be the 'minion' super-heroes" of the crayon world?

Carrots 'n Tops - Pencil, black .5 micron pen, and Inktense pencils activated with a water brush on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click image to enlarge.

What would happen if small, tin-like boxes were made to conveniently hold 8 or 10 minion crayons.  They could fit in a pocket for travel, or on-the-fly graffiti work.

Carrots 'n Tops - Pencil, black .5 micron pen, and Inktense pencils activated with a water brush on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click image to enlarge.

Carrots 'n Tops - Pencil, black .5 micron pen, and Inktense pencils activated with a water brush on 300 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click image to enlarge.