Written by These are actually the very shoes that I was wearing today. I kicked them off to make this sketch. They’re not new, but I still remember finding them that first time in Paris at a Le Coq Sportif shop. Getting new shoes is a rather transformative experience, opaqued only by getting new glasses. That sort of trumps things as you wear them ever single day and adopt a an entirely new persona in the process. But new shoes are up next, likely because we notice them more than we do other bits of clothing. You might not think about the shirt or pants you wore throughout the day, unless they’re incredibly tight or get that way just after lunch, but each step reminds you of your chosen footwear. This doodlewash of them probably doesn’t do these shoes justice as I had only a few minutes and just grabbed for three colors. They’re a burnt orange suede sneaker with stripes down the side and lighter orange laces. I pretty much just wear various forms of sneakers on a daily basis, saving my more adult shoes for a trip to the theatre. Adult shoes can be a bit boring, often simply black, so the majority of the time you’ll find me in multi-colored sneakers instead.
As I approach 50, my fashion sense is probably seen as a bit quirky. What could once be considered a hip thing to wear can quickly become the ensemble of a nutty professor. As my hair turns grayer, seemingly with each new day, I still don the footwear of my younger self. Not in an effort to appear more youthful, but simply because it’s the aesthetic I still prefer. In my mind, I’m still in my 30’s, happily bouncing from one thing to the next, and still so curious about the future. Then I look in the mirror and I see lines that weren’t there the day before. Mostly laugh lines, as I’ve spent much of my life laughing back at it, but other lines as well. I’ve considered getting a tattoo before, but my mind changes so much that I couldn’t possibly land on a specific theme. And truly, I consider those little lines that form on my face as organic tattoos. Designs that I didn’t select, but life itself selected for me. A patchwork of memories and life experiences that I couldn’t have chosen better if I’d tried. They define me and complete me, and in the end, I’m rather happy that they’re there.
Sometimes, I think, in a way, we’re all like a living sketchbook. As the years pass, new lines appear and new shapes form to tell the story of the life we’re living. Looking in the mirror each day is simply an act of flipping through pages, discovering little changes in what appears there each and every day. A single page can feel revolutionary on a specific day and other day’s pages can feel simply ordinary. But when you put all the pages together, they tell an intriguing story of life, love, dreams, and hope. A story we couldn’t have told better if we tried. So, when we meet one day, you’ll likely still find me in sneakers and dreaming of things that are probably too miraculous to ever actually occur. And you’ll also find me with a pen and a paintbrush in my hand, capturing not exactly what’s happening before me, but an idea that occurred in that moment. Losing myself in the thrill of capturing bits of previous memories will likely always be what connects with my heart the most. Thinking back to that time in Paris, when I had Philippe talk to the salesman like he was my personal shopper, so thoroughly excited and enthralled to be getting new shoes.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Da Vinci Yellow, Terra Cotta, and Cobalt Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. |
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U r so skilled..I envy you
That’s a sweet compliment! Thanks so much, Saurabh! 😃💕
👌✌😁
My only shoe concession due to getting older was giving up high heels. What a relief!
Hehe… yay to that, Lisa! 😃💕 That’s one fashion torture gone for sure!
I’m so glad you embrace the lines on your face! They are uniquely yours and a record of living. I’m 67, so I speak from experience! Your shoes sound fabulous and the painting does them justice.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 Yeah, those lines are what define us and tell our story! Always something to celebrate!
Thank you for making me see my creases as organic tattoos! As for an actual tattoo, perhaps you should consider the one I’ve been thinking about – a paint brush. It would cover everything else.
Thanks! 😃💕 hehe… yeah, a paintbrush would be the only thing I’m sure I wouldn’t get tired of… but… what shape? what style? Too many variables for permanent body ink. lol
amazing doodlewash! Cheers to 50!
Thanks, Jodi! 😃💕 50 is definitely the new 40 as will 60 be as well! lol
Those shoes are marvelous – both as a painting and I suspect in real life too! I’m with you on aging. I don’t dye my hair, and on occasion someone will be brash enough to ask why. I always tell them that I earned every one of those gray hairs and I deserve to flaunt them!
I’m exactly the same, Sandra!!
Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 You bet!! Those gray hairs are earned… flaunt away!!! hehe
the sneakers and the musing,
better than cake!
Aww thanks so much!! 😃💕
Wah kya bate hen. Fantastic.
Thanks so much, Snehlata! 😃💕
You are an amazing Professor of Life! You wield a paintbrush and pen with equal talent. The wit and wisdom found on these pages, from one so young, delights and captivates me. Visiting Doodlewash is like wearing those “new” shoes, always enjoyable. Thank-you!
That’s such a touching and wonderful comment, Ellen! 😃💕 Thank you so much!! It makes me so happy to know that you enjoy these little posts so much!
In my mind I am still a lot younger also. I like to say age is a state of mind. Some days I feel 21, some days I feel 91. lol!
Lol… so true! 😃💕 Some days I do feel a bit older, and well… look a bit older as well! But I’m soon back to my youthful, whatever age I want to believe I am self.
I like being a living sketchbook. 🙂 Shoes are a funny thing for me. When I find something I really enjoy wearing I will usually buy a few more pairs or variations so I have back ups. I’ve had that horrible experience of wanting an exact replacement and them not being made anymore. I like your shoes!
Thanks, Tom! 😃💕 Yeah, I’ll be a bit sad when these get too old to wear anymore. I’m certain they don’t make anything like them anymore. I like the back up plan… hehe… that’s awesome!
Love your shoes, Charlie! Wear them with pride 😊 My mantra is you are only as old as you feel. It’s amazing how the different generations change. I in no way dress the way my mother did at 66. I guess I’m fighting the fact that I’m getting older. I will go kicking to the grave- hahaaaa!!!
Thanks, Linda! 😃💕 haha! Me too! If you feel like you’re 20 years younger, it would simply be a lie to dress any differently!
How i wish I was just approaching 50
If you think like I do you can be approaching whatever age you choose!! hehe 😃💕
I do – I am
You do make me smile, my friend. I’m betting if I get to meet you one day, in person, I’ll think those laugh lines define you well. Love the shoes, don’t change, Charlie. I think you’re perfect the way you are. ;o)
Aww, you just said that on purpose to make me blush. It worked!! lol 😊💕 Thanks, Jennifer! I’m sure we’d have a blast together if we ever meet one day!
Those shoes are nice, we should all go to Paris with Phillipe as our personal shopper! Do you think he’d mind? 😀 I hope everyone will be as kind to you about lines and grey hairs as you are to them! 💕
Thanks, Miste! 😃💕 hehe… I think Philippe was getting irritated that I didn’t speak better French in the end. 😊
Oh, my gosh! 😁
Awwwww, now I want a closet full of colored sneakers. I can’t promise that I will actually wear them, I don’t overly wear shoes much, but the idea of having multiple colors of sneakers to choose from when I do have to wear shoes would be fun.
hehe… I had that closet! lol 😊 I like sneakers with a bit of flair and not just all in dull colors.
Lol, if I told my husband I wanted a bunch of colored sneakers I would get one of those “looks”, right before he would remind me that I don’t wear shoes. Lol then he would roll his eyes and help me find a few pairs. 🤗
wow I love your shoe sketches! I wonder how my handmade shoes would look if they were sketched like that
Thanks so much!! Glad you enjoyed them! 😃💕And cool that you make handmade shoes!
Yes indeed I do 😁