In Remembrance

These are some recently uncovered photos I took of Charles SHOEmaker, father of my creativity, working with his students at East Central College, c.1993.  BIG Thanks to Marjorie George for helping me scan the negatives during a very busy past December ... many good memories we share of this old painter, our teacher, our friend. I think about him almost every time I paint. If I close my eyes, I can still see him looking over the rim of his eyeglasses, thinking of how to answer the wild boy who was always talking to him, asking him questions. To this day I think to myself, "what would SHOE say about this?" Among the many things I learned from this man about art and life, he taught me sensitivity to what was going on around me and in my work.

"BIG THINGS FIRST" was our initial lesson in drawing and painting, for without a fundamental understanding of what you are working with there can be no success. SHOE taught me how to make a finished piece presentable to show and be seen by the public- something that sounds simple, but is surprisingly overlooked in the curriculum of a lot of fine art programs. SHOE also made us go to the library every week and check out an art related book or two, and report back to him with the material for discussion, encouraging us get out there and teach ourselves about art. The overall environment he established in the art department was one of hard work and self discovery. We all worked together, went out to see art and films, talked about art, and critiqued each other's projects. It was an exciting time!

And here's SHOE pictured below with Larry Pogue, head of the East Central Art Department, sculpture and printmaking instructor. This was a familiar sight, and comforting to see again. SHOE once said that Pogue wasn't always the biggest fan of his administrative duties, but he was good at them. Together these two artists built that department from the ground up, many successful artists graduating under their tutelage. I am most grateful for all they gave me.

Having passed away in 2000 (but not before seeing his beloved St. Louis Rams win a Superbowl!), I often lament there being almost nothing about the prolific artist committed to the internet for others to enjoy. I did however stumble across the Powder Valley Trading Company, which sells some of SHOE's whimsical silkscreened prints from the 70's. Classmates Marjorie and husband Steve have one of SHOE's smaller, later watercolors, many of which were often quite sizable and incorporated elaborate weaving of painted paper. The 1960 Washington University graduate was nationally and regionally known in his time, and has work in corporate and museum collections, but very little of it is on display on the internet. If you are an old friend or student of Chuck's, please feel free to e-mail me with anything you've found, or photos of his art in your collection. It is often said about folks after they pass on that "everyone should have known them", and in SHOE's case, it really was true.