Posted on by paintandsimple

An Illustrated Guide to Blister Care and Prevention

10”x14” watercolor on paper

I am an artist who loves long walks.

While walking the Camino de Santiago, I came to see that tending blisters was an act of love, a way of living out these words: “Whatever you did for the least of these, you did it to me.” But love is not only intention—it is also preparation. My blister care kit became a ministry bag, filled with both prevention and healing.

Blister Care Kit Essentials

Good shoes: I reccomend trail running shoes with at least a thumb’s width at the toe (I love Altra Lone Peaks). Most blisters I saw came from boots or shoes that were too small.

Quality socks: Merino wool or other breathable fabrics. Keep shoes, socks, and feet clean—sand and dirt cause friction. On rainy days, change into dry socks midday.

GEHWOL Foot Cream: With eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, lanolin, thyme, and camphor. Use after your shower at night and again in the morning. It moisturizes, helps prevent blisters (and athlete’s foot), and smells amazing!

Blister wool: Place on hot spots to cushion and “eat” friction before it causes blisters. I passed this out on the Camino like cotton candy.

Needle, lighter, and alcohol wipe: For puncturing fluid-filled blisters safely.

Hydrocolloid bandages: Cover popped blisters until healed.

KT tape: My favorite for hot spots—more flexible than moleskin. Works especially well with blister wool on almost-healed or not-quite-formed blisters.

Toe caps: Reusable silicone covers that protect tricky between-the-toe blisters.

A few band-aids and antibiotic ointment.

This kit reminded me daily that care for the body can also be care for the soul. To tend another’s feet on the Camino is to step into the story of Christ himself, who knelt to wash dusty feet with love. The road humbles us all. Each shared step, each act of tenderness, reminds me that our journey is not only toward Santiago, but also toward seeing Christ revealed in the weary, the wounded, and the ordinary moments of care along the way.

Buen Camino!

P.s. I have now walked the Camino Frances from St. Jean Pied de Port to the end of the world (twice) with NO BLISTERS!

Posted on by paintandsimple

Camino Collage: days 1-10

Days 1-5. Concertina book. Collage and stamps collected along the Camino de Santiago, Spain.
Days 6-10. Concertina book. Collage and stamps collected along the Camino de Santiago, Spain.

I am walking the Camino de Santiago with my family. It is a 500 mile pilgrimage. We started in France, and will walk to Santiago de Compostela and hopefully onto Finesterre – the end of the earth. We are currently in the Rioja region of Spain, we walk through vineyards on the same route pilgrims have walked for over 1,000 years.

Instead of making many small paintings along the way, I wanted to capture THE WAY itself. I am making a collage of all the bits and pieces I collect as I go. The lines represent the many paths of many pilgrims. We walk with friends and the we loose track of them, sometimes we meet up again a few towns later. The lines of collage weave in and out to represent the many people from all over the world making their way to Santiago. The lines of collage also (loosely) represent the topography and many hills. When you start walking you are issued a passport, and you collect stamps from places where you stop to rest or eat along the way. Those stamps are also added into my collage.

On the back side of my concertina book (not yet pictured) are notes of the many people and stories we are gathering as we walk.