As a Patron(ess) of the Arts

I commissioned my first work of art yesterday. I feel that even as a poor college student, I can help to nurture culture and art in others and better allow them to view the world through art. Who did I commission? Well, she's a senior in high school. The art piece?

A pair of tennis shoes.

But not just any tennis shoes! They're specially decorated to convey something about the person wearing them. They start out as just normal white, plain, and even a little bit like old-lady shoes, but then the artist decorates them with brilliant colors, words, and doodles. Then she puts super cute colored ribbon in instead of laces. The shoes are transformed! She came into work with a pair yesterday and when I complimented them, she said she would make me a pair. She offered to do it for free, but I paid her $5 because I am, after all, a patron of the arts.

I was getting excited until she turned to me and said,

"What are some words or important phrases that you really like saying? What are things that have impacted your life?"

Uhhhhhh...

I duuunnnnoooo.

Record stopping, movie cutting out, world shutting down. I had no idea. What are some things that have impacted my life? I was drawing about 20 blanks a minute as I searched my mind for things that really mattered to me. Why was it so hard? Meanwhile, my artist was throwing out suggestions and showing me what she had put on her own shoes. Her mini-missions trip to NY was commemorated by the New York skyline drawn onto the toe of her left shoe. She had 'secret' messages written on the tongue of her shoes because they were covered by a ribbon. I still couldn't think of what I wanted on my shoes. Brain overload!! This goes to show that I am not creative. Ay. I have not the brain power to dabble in the creative arts. Eventually, I asked if I could tell her later when I thought of something.

Then I sat. And I thought. And I thought and I thought. And no this is not going to turn into a Dr. Seuss poem. But I questioned to see what really was important to me, what I would actually write down that was important to me. My family, my friends, my Savior, a desire to do better . . .  just to name a few.  But how would I put that on shoes?

Eventually, I wrote down a phrase from my dad about working hard and striving to do better that will go on the tongues of my shoes. I wrote the title of one my favorite songs, His Robes for Mine. I asked for there to be a heart and key somewhere on the shoes to mirror the necklaces that my two friends and I wear. I want a dragon on there to show my society spirit. All the rest, I leave up to her artistic talent and license.

I can't wait to get my shoes, and I know that every time I look at them or wear them, I'll be reminded of what I find important. Pretty cool for shoes, huh?

Definitely a good introduction into the arts.

m(r)