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Taming of the Shoe - Celebrating A Perfect Fit!
Larry Le Brane’s art-shoe fans usually anticipate his latest one-of-a-kind glass sculptures with curious fascination.
And that pleases the mixed-media artist, who creates unique glass footwear, including flip-flops, Asian-style geta sandals, and his very popular series of exaggerated stiletto pumps. His designs blend a love of combining yard sale cast-offs, fused glass, detailed craftsmanship with a street-wise and academic background.
Tennessee’s hard-working Soles4Souls team is also delighted whenever this ‘West Coast glass-cobbler’ exhibits new shoe art, too. For the 2nd year, Le Brane selected international Soles4Souls™ as the benefactor when his whimsical glass shoes are featured in art exhibits, Open Studios Art Tours, or special events.
Soles4Souls™ is dedicated to changing the world through donations of new and gently-used footwear, such as during previous Katrina and Haiti crises. Larry and his co-hosts typically donate a portion of any art proceeds to Soles4Souls™ to help promote their mission. Last May, his imaginative exhibit “Taming Of The Shoe…& Tea Cups, Too!” showcased his fused-glass shoe sculptures and new tea cup corsets, alongside chic Italian footwear. !ROMP, an upscale shoe boutique in San Luis Obispo, CA, celebrated its 5th anniversary with Le Brane’s month-long art exhibit, stylish fashion shows, and the sharing of Soles4Souls’s message.
In May 2009, !ROMP owner, Karen English originally suggested Soles4Souls when Larry Le Brane asked about charity donations for their 1st shoe exhibit, “The Perfect Fit: Walk This Way.” !ROMP hung giant shoe posters in their downtown windows, plus shared Soles4Souls’ inspiring message and contribution opportunities with guests. English described how !ROMP’s stylish footwear, Soles4Souls™ and Larry’s glass shoes are an ideal match.
“With our fragile economy and recurring natural disasters, sometimes our art patrons and fashion clients are torn. They love our latest Italian selections and Larry’s glass shoe sculpture. But often they may feel guilty spending money on perceived luxuries. Soles4Souls™ helps all of us celebrate shoes AND do our part to improve the world, too! That’s the message we try to share with our guests during Larry’s creative shoe exhibits.” Both co-hosts donated a portion from the recent May exhibit to Soles4Souls™.
Larry says, “Our art exhibit donations may be small, but every dollar counts. Every shoe-story matters to someone, somewhere. My shoe stories have varied backgrounds or inspiration. Like my Mardi Gras-themed party stilettos, “Let The Good Times Roll.” I started with a pair of chattering toy teeth and a party mask, but I also wanted to exaggerate adult excess. Soles4Souls™ helped Katrina survivors by providing tons of shoes. Now, telling my art-shoe story is richer, more meaningful. Hopefully, people who buy my artwork feel connected when we suggest they donate shoes. Celebrating life through art, especially with my glass-shoe sculpture is hopeful, life-affirming.”
Wendy Walter, Gallery Manager for the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art agrees. After seeing Larry’s exhibit at !ROMP, she installed an encore exhibition in June at the Museum’s Showcase Gallery. “Everyone could relate to Larry’s glass shoes on some level. All ages connected---they stopped, touched the art, commented, and laughed. In these dark, heavy times, it was so rewarding to watch guests uplifted by this well-crafted and fun artwork.”
In July, Larry Le Brane’s glass shoes will hit the road again, as Soles4Souls celebrates its 5th anniversary at their new international offices in Old Hickory, Tennessee. A selection of Le Brane’s footwear sculpture will be included in Soles4Souls’ VIP Reception, July 21-22. The mixed-media artist is proud and honored that founder Wayne Elsey wants to share Larry’s shoe-art creations with his team and special guests at this well-deserved party. “Who knew that shoes---both artful and donated---would take us to this place in today’s world? I guess it really IS one imagined or one real pair of shoes at a time…” Definitely a perfect fit.
Celebrate your fascination with shoes by trading in a gently-worn pair at Soles4Souls.org. Plus, enjoy more of Larry Le Brane’s fantasy footwear in the national traveling exhibit, “The Perfect Fit: Shoes Tell Stories,” Fuller Craft Museum (www.fullercraft.org), the Nicolaysen Museum (www.thenic.org), Albany Institute of History & Art (www.albanyinstitute.org. Also see Le Brane’s art at www.larrylebrane.com or Facebook/Larry Le Brane. His eclectic artwork is shown regularly at The Gallery At The Network (http://galleryatthenetwork.com) and San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (http://galleryatthenetwork.com), both in San Luis Obispo, CA.
