It All Began With a Pair of Shoes...

My first love of footwear was a pair of blue high tops when I was three years old. Twenty seven years and many pairs of shoes later, I found myself at the Four Seasons in Florence, Italy over my 30th birthday. The lobby was lined with display cases of the city’s finest ateliers, and I spotted a pair of gorgeous olive green dress shoes. I took a photo of the designer’s name and set out on a mission to find Jennifer Tattanelli…

Jennifer greeted me with such excitement and generosity that I felt like an old friend. She gave me a personal tour of the store and explained the centuries-old craftsmanship behind her stunning leather jackets, handbags, and shoes. She took an interest in my art and said one day she would display it in her store. I left Florence on cloud nine, with the most beautiful pair of green shoes in my bag.

Jennifer and I kept in touch over the next five years, and in March 2021 she invited me down to Palm Beach for a photoshoot and to meet some of her friends on Worth Avenue. What was supposed to be a four day trip turned into two weeks, plus return trips in April and May. Each visit was more convincing than the next that Palm Beach was the place to take my art to the next level. Not even three months after my first visit, I packed up my car and drove 18 hours from St. Louis, Missouri to West Palm Beach. I found a studio and got to work!

Once Jennifer secured the space for her new shoe store, we began talking about a series of paintings that would tell the story of our friendship and express my love for Florence, a city that has truly changed my life. This collection of twelve 36"x24" acrylic paintings contains elements of everyday Italian culture: fashion, music, architecture, and of course Jennifer’s color palette to tie it all together.

I invite you to experience Florence through my eyes and heart, all while enjoying Jennifer’s fabulous array of shoes and other accessories. Just beware, you may find a pair that changes your life.

All paintings are for sale. Please contact Kyle or a store associate for more details.

Grazie,
Kyle