La De Da Gallery, LLC, DBA
ARIODANTE
CONTEMPORARY CRAFT GALLERY
535 Julia St. New Orleans, La. 70130
504-524-3233

PAUL SCHEXNYDER

BAREFOOT Q & A With Artist Paul Schexnayder

Why the name Barefoot Life?
Almost all of my work that has figures in them are barefooted. It represents freedom to me. No restrictions or barriers. It is relaxing and comfortable. But with all freedom there is a little danger. Don’t you wish we could go barefooted all the time?-what a world we would live in!

The couple is always holding hands, right?
They are together through it all. It is always better to do something together, with a partner and a friend. They have each other and they are a great couple.

Are they an extension of your life?
Yes and no. Most of my paintings that feature women tend to be blonde like my wife. She is a great person, wife, mother and my best friend. She is a great muse.We do like to dress up a lot.

Now the color of their skin- are they people of color?
They are people of the world. I mixed together the colors of every nationality and race of the world and this color was the result. They reflect my world and your world.

Most of the themes are light and whimsical but some images are jarring.
Well again they are a reflection of our world. I am a happy upbeat person but current and past events affect us all. Some of the images and themes are just that- a mirror to our world.

How long have you been painting the Barefoot series?
I starting sketching them in 2008 and only painted two back then. I put them on our kitchen window sill to show my wife. All she said was, umm. So I left them alone for two years and then just recently started sketching them again with fervor. Sometimes good things must wait for their time. And its time to go Barefoot! Timing is a key element with most successful ventures.

It’s interesting that you mentioned venture- was this a well-planned venture?
Not in the beginning. Barefoot grew simply out of my basic drawing and sketching. I started with an oval and a straight line and the two characters developed from there. I had no plan for them to visit my sketchbook that day.Once I committed to doing a series of them, then the designs and ideas flowed. I now have a detailed long range plan for the couple. They are going to have a long joyful life ahead of them.

With no facial features, they sure have lots of personality-why no features?
They are everyman-every person. It goes back to that basic shape I drew in the beginning. I wanted that basic element of design to come through. Less is more and hopefully more people can identify with the couple.

What can you tell us about the future of Barefoot?
I am working on new designs consistently. I am working with designers and celebrities for more original images. They will be used to raise money for foundations throughout the world.

What is your favorite Barefoot Life image?
Well- I have lots of them but probably my first one that I painted. It is the one I can see their future.

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PAUL SCHEXNYDER