SWAVES

"What Moves You" Vans

2011-12-06T19:20:00.000-08:00

I was recently approached by my good friends at The Movement Lifestyle to do up a pair of Vans and a matching skate deck for display in their newly opened retail store. I instantly fell in love with the project A) The ML logo is so simple yet effective, I feel it compliments my personal (minimalist) style, and B) Because I was asked to do something I had never done before. A skate deck!!! I always love a good challenge, and was to be honest blown away at how "factory" it came out. (seriously surprised myself a bit)

As always, all the painting done to both the shoes and the board was done freehand with a brush. For the first time ever I feel like I probably could have painted the board with a stencil, but in order to ensure that all the colors were the same throughout I decided to stick to what I'm good at, and brush the whole thing.

For more pics hit up the Swaves Website! and "like" our Facebook Page for pics, teasers, and all the latest Swaves news!

"I Heart Music" Dunk Low

2011-10-27T20:33:00.000-07:00

A simple little pair that I finished recently. Was asked by the client to incorporate her I "heart" music tattoo, along with a checkerboard pattern. The mid section was originally an orange fabric with a gold(ish) thread deep inside. Once painted black, the fabric was dyed, but the gold thread can still chine through at different angles. Not intentional I will admit, but it gives the shoes a neat appearance. Unfortunately this is not shown very well in photos.

I look forward to trying a checkerboard pattern again someday. I feel a more "manufactured" look can be acquired.

The Freshstock

2011-09-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

The good people over at The Freshstock posted up a few of my shoes, and have some nice things to say. Head over to their blog to check out other cool posts on street wear fashion and artists.

"Soulchild" Dunk Hi

2011-09-13T14:36:00.000-07:00

I know what your thinkin... "Two posts in one month??? This has gotta be some kinda joke!" lol No jokes ladies and gentlemen! I'm pickin up the pace and I don't intend on slowing down.

A dancer in California who goes by the name "Soulchild" came to me looking for a custom pair of Dunks. After meeting with her and sketching out a few options we came up with an idea that she loved. This particular base shoe was ordered off NikeID (no affiliation) for the simple reason that I am getting sick of painting synthetic leather, or "action leather." I get many orders for youth sized customs, and the bulk of the youth shoes I see out and about are synth. So from now on, if I can't find a premium leather base for my customs, I will be using ID.

These customs feature freehand painted artwork, and lettering (my favorite heh) a custom mixed "plum" color scheme, and both black on plum, and plum on black contrast stitching.

Picture time!!!

"Frogs For Life" - Dunk Hi

2011-09-07T13:24:00.000-07:00

It's been so long since my last release I hardly remember how to do all this, heh had to remember how I coded my website again so I could update it :P oops. It's good to be back though!! I have quite a few deadlines in the near future, so you all will be seeing much more work from me in the future. (yipeeee) haha

Now, on to the shoes:

A friend of mine was getting married on August 27th, and wanted to get her fiance (now husband) a pair of customs as a grooms gift. She wanted the shoes to have small aspects of from their relationship/wedding, but didn't want them to look like "cheesy wedding shoes" heh. It seemed to me the best way to incorporate their wedding date without looking like a wedding card would be to use roman numerals. So VIII (8 for August) XXVII (27th) MMXI (2011) was added to the one heel panel, and "CIELO" on the other (the venue in which they were married in Colorado) in purple along side other grey numerals making a "pattern." If you look at the grey numerals above "CIELO" you will see (hidden) their engagement date VIII (8 for August) V (5th) MMX (2010) I added that as a little secret bonus for them. :P Another thing she asked me to incorporate into the design was a set of car jumper cables. (or booster cables) When they first met her car broke down in a rain storm, and he showed up to boost her car and save the day. So when they time came to propose, he had a friend help him set up the exact same scenario. The friend faked the broken down car, and while stranded he showed up again, this time with jumper cables, and a ring. :) Instead of painting cables on the shoe somewhere I decided to make some custom mini jumper cable fat laces. :P Last but not least, these customs feature my first custom box!! Simply because the box they originally came in was destroyed, and since they were to be at a wedding, I wanted them to be looking their best. The box features a plastic window so their wedding date can always be seen, and well as the phrase "Frogs For Life" a quote that ties in nicknames they have for each other.

There you have it! A lot of planning went into the make up of these customs. Design wise, they are rather simple and clean. (as most of my work is) The roman numerals were rough penciled in with a stencils I cut out of a piece of plastic, but as always the paint was done freehand without stencil or tape.
Hope you like em! :)

"Fenced In" Dunk Hi

2011-04-04T14:57:00.000-07:00

Another "KISS custom"

For some time now I have been wanting to create a new pattern. We are all used to seeing gator, cement, elephant, snake, etc. prints on shoes, so I wanted something "new." Unless I am forgetting something, I cant remember ever seeing chain link on a shoe before. So that is what I went for. These shoes were made with the specific intention of looking "flashy," hence the silver mid section. I have future projects coming up featuring the same chain link pattern, that will be more chill. All paint work on these was done freehand, as I'm pretty sure trying to make a stencil of that pattern would drive me crazier than just painting it. :P

Enjoy!

Victoria Justice - Beggin' On Your Knees

2011-04-03T15:08:00.000-07:00

Nothing to do with shoes, I know I know... I don't care though heh. Yesterday, I performed at the Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Aawards with Victoria Justice. Check it out!!!

(I'm the guy in blue with the crazy long hair heh)

For the Love of Milk Crates!!!

2011-03-21T13:21:00.000-07:00

Flyin back to LA from the great white north tomorrow, and plan on makin a trip to The Container Store as soon as possible to expand my collection!!! Got some fun plans in store heh.

The Beatles LOVE Dunk v.2

2011-03-16T17:35:00.000-07:00

Got commissioned to do these by Mr. Guy Laliberté, (founder of Cirque Du Soleil, space clown, ect...) after he say the Yellow Beatles LOVE Dunks I did for Cam McKinlay of Cirque. He requested matching pairs in a size 10 (for him) and 5Y. (for his son) I am quite happy with the way they turned out, and would be lying if I said I wasn't a little sad to see them leave my studio.

Freehand painted, as always.

On to the pics!!! :)

"Here Piggy Piggy" AF1 Mid

2010-11-18T16:23:00.000-08:00

Recently finished these up for a client in Vancouver, BC. Her last name is "Schween," which I am told means pig in another language. (she even has a pig tattoo) She requested a pair of Air Force 1's with a pig on them. One a "hip hop pig," as she is a hip hop dancer, and the other a "club ready pig." For this project I outsourced to my brother in law (one of the best freestyle artists I know) Adam Crabbe to sketch up the pigs. After getting his sketches, I added clothing and such and went to work on the shoes.

Adding the black "shadow" to the lettering was a first for me. It took a little patience, but I couldn't be happier with how it came out. More and more customers have been asking me to do lettering/calligraphy on their shoes, which is pretty sweet.

As always, 100% freehand painted.

DA x AFTRA Launch Party

2010-11-18T03:40:00.000-08:00

Was asked to design a flyer for the Dancers' Alliance x AFTRA launch party last week, and was asked if I would like to set up a table to promote at the event.

Was interviewed by a film crew, and a radio show! Hopefully will have that media in the near future. Ill keep you posted! :P

The Industry Voice

2010-09-10T13:21:00.000-07:00

Swaves were featured in the September issue of The Industry Voice Newsletter!
Check The Industry Voice

Inspiration Comes In All Shapes And Sizes

2010-08-31T01:08:00.000-07:00

This came to me in am email today and I was absolutely blown away. Not often do I stumble upon something that intrigues me to this degree.

Dalton Ghetti is the master behind these miniature masterpieces. He uses a sculpting knife, razor blade and needle to carve the lead and, (the part I love the most) refuses to use a magnifying glass!!! He calls it meditative.

Heh, and I figured the designs I do on shoes take a lot of patience.

+/- Show more Pencil Carvings

"The Beatles LOVE" Dunk Hi

2010-07-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

I was commissioned to do these up for a friend of mine in the Cirque Du Soleil "LOVE" show in Vegas. Having recently finished working with Cirque in September, I was more than eager to sink my teeth into them. They feature The Beatles LOVE logo that can be seen along the top of the "Mirage" hotel in Vegas, as well as a rainbow similar to the one that accompanies their logo. I'm very proud of how they came out. They were a hit at my recent "GRITTY" art show in downtown Los Angeles. (pics of that comin very soon)

100% brush painted

All paint was done freehand. I dislike the edge that is left when painting with stencils. I have yet to see a result that I consider good enough.

All custom colors (except for black of course heh)

I give you... LOVE! :P

"GRITTY"

2010-06-28T15:54:00.000-07:00

My first art show!!!

I was asked to set up a wall of my work for the 2 night art show "GRITTY" put on by a company called Medium. The event featured live paint, graffiti, poetry, dance, with a great turnout and a killer vibe. I spent the nights working on a customer order, while talking on lookers through my process and projects.

Felt great to have my work seen my the public like that.

Dream Car!!

2010-06-20T13:28:00.000-07:00

Just puttin this out to the universe! heh. Can't wait to be rollin around in my dream car. :P

June 25th, 26th and 27th GRITTY Art Exhibit!!!!!!!!!

2010-06-19T21:13:00.000-07:00

I was asked a while back to submit some some of my shoes for an art show in Hollywood. In one week I will have 8 pairs of shoes up on display at "GRITTY!!" I'm super excited about this show, its the first time the general public will get to see my work. Come check it out!

"The World" AF1 Low

2010-06-03T14:25:00.000-07:00

Easily the most detailed work I have ever produced. I got the idea for these customs long ago, but didn't have the time or motivation to get them done. When asked to do the "GRITTY" art show in June, I decided to bite the bullet and make the idea a reality. Although tedious, I really enjoyed working on these shoes.

Nothing beats friends reactions when they see all the little islands and such they visited while on vacation.

100% freehand brush painted as always (believe it or not heh)

"Predator & Prey" Dunk Hi

2010-05-29T22:43:00.000-07:00

These customs feature a concept that i have had on my mind for quite some time now. Silhouette images of a Zebra and a Siberian Tyger, on an all white background.

New Toy

2010-01-29T05:35:00.001-08:00

Picked this up today to make my life a bit easier haha. Not for use on leather, but for stitching and such it should prove very handy (teaser for my next customs)