Kuala Lumpur: Age is certainly not a barrier to staying active in a field one is passionate about. For Norliza Meor Mohamed Bazid, 61, painting is an activity that brings her satisfaction as she embraces her golden years. However, unlike most artists who choose mediums such as canvas for their artistic expressions, this active member of the Lembah Pantai Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PAWE) prefers shoes, which she finds uniquely challenging.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Norliza initially engaged in painting as a hobby, starting with canvases and wooden objects like hairbrush handles, trays, and jewelry boxes. She later expanded her creativity onto fabric canvases, including cushions, sofas, and mattresses, before moving on to clothing and tote bags. About two years ago, she ventured into painting designs on canvas shoes and sneakers, which has since become a refined skill for her with orders for personalized footwear from customers.
Norliza, originally from Ipoh, Perak, and now residing in Kelana Jaya, Selangor, discovered her interest in art about 30 years ago while working as a beauty salon instructor. She shared that her artistic journey started with cake decorating before transitioning to painting on various mediums, ultimately leading to shoes. Painting on footwear requires special skills, Norliza explained, and it has gained popularity among younger generations. Most of her customers opt for floral patterns, seeking unique designs exclusive to them. Roses and sakura flowers are among the favored choices.
To enhance her skills, Norliza turns to online platforms like YouTube, Pinterest, and Facebook, learning from both local and international artists. She uses fabric paint for her shoe artworks, noting that painting shoes is three-dimensional, unlike other canvases. The process involves sketching with a pencil, outlining with a waterproof pen, and applying varnish for durability. Some customers also request complete color changes, which she accommodates by repainting the entire shoe.
Completing a pair of custom-designed shoes takes Norliza three to four days, depending on the complexity and drying time. Her clientele ranges from teenagers to those in their 40s, with her oldest customer being 60 and the youngest just three years old.
Norliza emphasized the importance of emotional stability in her work, as emotions significantly impact the final artwork. She ensures her workspace is tidy and all other tasks are complete before starting a design. For her services, she charges between RM120 and RM200 per pair, depending on the design. The satisfaction of meeting her customers’ expectations brings her immense joy, and she is grateful for the positive reception despite being relatively new to shoe painting.
Apart from shoe art, Norliza serves as an art instructor at PAWE Lembah Pantai and represents the center at art exhibitions. She expresses gratitude to PAWE Lembah Pantai for spotlighting her talent and hopes her artworks will be remembered long after she is gone. Additionally, Norliza is exploring dot paintings and experimenting with blooming and pouring techniques, which are uncommon due to the high cost of imported materials.