Name: Emily Chladny

Grade: 11

Career: physician’s assistant

College: Texas A&M

Wingspan: Why did you decide to start painting shoes?

Chladny: “I’ve been doing canvas paintings for almost a year now and when one of my friends asked if it was possible to paint her new Air Force ones I of course said yes and got to work.”

Wingspan: Are shoes something you paint for fun and for your friends, or do you also take commissions?

Chladny: “I enjoy painting a lot so so far I’ve just done it for fun for friends. Taking off painting shoes is relatively new so I’m not sure if I’ll ever take commissions for it yet.”

Wingspan: Once the school year resumes in a classroom setting, do you plan on still painting shoes?

Chladny: “I think that I will try and continue doing the shoes as a way to destress when the school days get long again. I don’t know if I will quite have time for the bigger projects however.”

Wingspan: Is this something you would consider doing in college on the side?

Chladny: “I’d love to do this in college, again, as a way to relax after classes, but also as some extra money would be nice as well.”

Wingspan: How have the current circumstances of COVID-19 impacted you painting shoes?

Chladny: “It’s been odd having so much time to paint because of the quarantine but I’m definitely a fan of it. It’s really kept me busy and made things a whole lot less boring. I can just paint for hours without realizing.”

Wingspan: Does this impact you in any way, either socially, mentally, or physically? If so, how?

Chladny: “It has honestly made school a little more stressful because I can get carried away painting but the painting itself isn’t stressful so that’s a plus.”

Wingspan: How did the idea to start painting shoes come to you?

Chladny: “My good friend proposed to me the idea of her buying Air Force 1’s for her to paint. At first it seemed like she was joking but she needed a new pair and she trusted me so she went ahead and bought them.”

Wingspan: What is your favourite part about doing this and why?

Chladny: “My favorite part about painting the shoes is probably trying to get them as perfect as possible. I didn’t know if i could make them close to the shoes i saw on Instagram and Pinterest but I’ve surprised myself and the people I’ve given them too and it makes it worth it.”

Wingspan: How do you express yourself through painting shoes?

Chladny: “I think because I brought the techniques from painting realistic things from canvas painting I’ve been able to make the shoes like miniature canvases which I don’t see much of. I’m a very precise and realistic person so being able to make the shoes look that same way is comforting.”

Wingspan: Are there any struggles you face while painting shoes, whether it be supply shortage or fear of messing up?

Chladny: “With everything closed I feel like i should be scared to run out of supplies but luckily the day before things started to really lock down i was able to get a sealer for the paint being on leather and purchase extra paint. I was really lucky to think about it because if I had gotten the shoes a couple days later I don’t think I would have been able to do them. With painting other people’s possessions I definitely put a lot of pressure on myself to make things perfect. I’ve taken off sections of the shoes with acetone to re-do something because it didn’t look quite right to me. It’s a little nerve wracking if I do mess up but I try my best to work with the small mistakes and not stress over them.”