Monday, January 12, 2009

Red Shoes a la Rothko

Red Shoes a la Rothko

Out walking along Georgia Avenue the other day, I saw a woman talking on a cell phone. What drew me to her were her red shoes. I asked if I could take a picture and she said yes. I'm calling this one "Red Shoes a la Rothko."

*****

Today's photo From the Archives is a snap I took as my family (parents and siblings) was making the drive cross-country from Utah to our new home in Virginia. This was taken just outside of Laramie, Wyoming, in June 1988.

Ominous : Laramie, Wyoming : 1988

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 01/09

13 comments:

The Artful Eye said...

Top o' the mornin' to you!

What's crazy about this pic is how the sum of it's parts come together.

Not only are the red shoes cool, but the circular cut red carpet against the speckled floor and black square with those bright navy legs make a great composition.

Definitely, Rothko.esque

Virginia said...

LOve a pair of red shoes even more that I love hot pink ones! You were a good little photographer even back then. Cross country drive with siblings sounds like a recipe for disaster. Maybe you were snapping photos to keep from whacking someone in the backseat???

Janet Kincaid said...

Andrea: And a good mornin' ta you, too!

I agree that this picture is crazy. At first, I didn't think it would work. Then I uploaded it and looked at it writ large on my screen and thought, "Wow! Cool!"

Hey, Rothko has a big exhibit at the Tate Modern in London through Feb. 9. Wanna go?


VJ: Red shoes I would concede and wear, but I'm still standing firm on the pink shoes. No way. No how.

The cross-country drive wasn't too bad, actually. We grew up making road trips from Utah to Wyoming to visit my maternal grandparents and Utah to California to visit the paternal grandparents, so we were fairly well-behaved. I think. Well, let's just say, my brother and sister were. I, probably not so much!

Rob said...

Abstracts are fun, I need to do more abstract photography. Thank you for this inspiration.

Our family did that twice; once from MN to California, and another trip to Maine via Nova Scotia. Fun memories.

Knoxville Girl said...

well I learned something new today about Rothko. I love how the shoes and the floor go so well together. the first thing I thought of when I saw this was Elvis Costello, The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes.
but the can't have my red patent leather Doc Martins.
oh how I date myself. (dramatic sigh)

Maya said...

I love this shot. Proving, once again, that you were a good photographer back then also!

Maya said...

Oh, and I like the red shoes too!

Janet Kincaid said...

Rob: Abstracts can be surprisingly fun, especially when you aren't intending that. As for road trips, I love driving and seeing new places, so I'm always game for hitting the road. I think it's the vagabond in me.


KG: Red patent leather Doc Martens... Now there's a memory. I picture sunny San Francisco days when I see those shoes. *sigh* Ah, memories!


Maya: Thanks! I need to find my other photo albums. Esp. my ones from Austria. I have a feeling I have a gem or two in them that I didn't appreciate at the time I took them. Glad you like the red shoes, too.

Brian said...

I want a pair of those shoes!! As you might of guessed, I go gah-gah over anything vibrant red.

Amazing cloud shot. It holds almost a religious presence, espicially on your descent from Utah... Hmmm. Okay, I'll be good now! :)

Jane Hards Photography said...

Red is one of my colours. Red shoes. Brilliant film was my thought and a kate bush song and album.

Janet Kincaid said...

Brian: Those shoes would go smashingly with the shirt in your profile photo, don't you think?


Babooshka: Red is a fabulous color! I wear it occasionally because it makes my blue eyes really blue.

Anonymous said...

Seriously, those red shoes are stunning!! Excited to get a pair.

Janet Kincaid said...

Kinsley: Everyone should own and wear a pair of red shoes at least once in their life.