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						Mark Schwartz: Exposing The Artistic Shapes in Footwear The artist and shoe designer talks about Andy Warhol and why he loves the elegant mule
							Mark Schwartz made a name for himself as an accomplished shoe designer. For the past twenty years, he has traveled the world gaining inspiration for his ideas from reknowned artists like Andy Warhol, who Schwartz beneficially watched at work, and Roger Vivier, who he cultivated his talents with for four years. Both Warhol and Vivier encouraged Schwartz to continue his capricious approach to fabricate his artistic style of shoes. He is producing exciting work by taking advantage of the spontaneity and movement that shoes can create when drawn on paper. Very few artists have attempted what Schwartz is pioneering. He exaggerates the usual way individuals view shoes by playing off the already artistic shapes of footwear and creates art that exudes personality. The artist's work is displayed around the United States and internationally. Besides being a talented artist, Schwartz has a shoe store in New York and has designed shoes for Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. His celebrity fans include Oprah Winfrey and Demi Moore. We spoke to Schwartz to find out who influences him and what his favorite travel destination is. HCZ: I've read that you were inspired by Warhol and Vivier. Any other influences? Mark Schwartz: I had met Andy Warhol when I worked for Roger Vivier. He used to come by the New York office and chat about once a month for almost two years before his death. He was really the one who encouraged me to do "Shoes As Idea," or "Shoes as Art." He and Vivier were my two influences. HCZ: Describe the process for creating your designs. MS: My process for creating is simple. I take an idea or design of mine and I sketch it, sometimes in multiples, on watercolor paper. I then begin to fill in the blanks with watercolor paint, acrylic and sometimes enamel paint. I use a brush as well as spray to reach the effect I desire. Most of my work has a running or dripping effect, something I feel is a bit of a trademark of my work. HCZ: What is your favorite shoe style? MS: My favorite shoe style actually is the mule. I find them simple, elegant and the easiest on the eye, and they can make just about any woman look or feel sexy, high-heeled or low. HCZ: Where can readers get ahold of your work and shoes? MS: For now, I am concentrating just on my artwork. It was such a different thing for me to do and I am at the point where people are finding me, both private and corporate collectors. I think that having the shoe designing background gives me an edge to my work. I always found the shoe to be the most sought after and interesting of the accessories. My website is shoesasidea.com. HCZ: Off the topic of shoes, what is your favorite travel destination? MS: My favorite travel destination is and will always be Italy. I love the Tuscany area and it is where I have worked most of my career as a shoe designer.
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