Sole Junkie Custom Kicks

New store is now up!

// March 26th, 2012 // No Comments » // Art, Clothing, news

After long debates and issues with my previous store I’ve decided to revamp and host my store off site. Better images, layout and features.

To you this means…a cart, a better look at what your purchasing and hopefully a better transaction.

I want buying supplies to be the easiest thing you do.

So here goes the new store:

Sole Junkie Store

Feel free to share link and comment on ways for me to improve.

Spring Training – Arizona 2012

// March 11th, 2012 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

So, this past Friday I was in Scottsdale, Arizona during Spring Training for a s show called Suits and Sneakers. It was a fashion show with only 3 VIP vendors and I happen to be one of them. It was really interesting, fun and cool. I got to show off some of my paintings on shoes and canvas. Got great feedback!
Some of the attendees were: Torii Hunter (Anaheim Angels), Javy Guerra (Los Angeles Dodgers), Matt Kemp (Los Angleles Dodgers), Rusty Ryal (Arizona Diamondbacks) and much much more. I didn’t get photos with all the players. They were busy. But the few that I did get to talk to and snap flicks with were very cool. I felt welcomed.

I drove out…needless to say…that trip was mad long! I got to see nothing but rocks and sand. Oh yeah…some of the smells from the cattle ranches were very unpleasant too! Blah!

Here are just a few images of what I saw and my set up. I hope to visit AZ again soon.

Sole Junkie x Avenger Dunks-Nike

// February 2nd, 2012 // 6 Comments » // Art, Sneakers

Been working pretty hard on these…I didn’t want them too flashy from a distance. I wanted to really break necks once you got up close and seen the details. Not two images are alike on the pair of shoes. I used a pair of Nike Dunk Highs and I was inspired by the Avengers: Thor, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Captain America and a hint of a Villain…did you find him? I will not be expecting the cease and desist letters for these shoes, these are one of a kind fan art. Painted by me for me. Might rock these to the Comic-con.

Feel free to post and leave comments.

Friday the 13th sketch

// January 13th, 2012 // No Comments » // Art

Wanted to draw and this is what I came up with. Pencil in paper. 8.5″ x 11″. Took me about 40minutes to an hour.

Sole Junkie x The Fresh Yard x NVRBRKN (Future release Fall 2012)

// November 12th, 2011 // No Comments » // Sneakers

My latest sneakers I customized with 23k gold for the Fresh Yard, a boutique here in San Diego. These were done on NVRBRKN, (new rand from DC shoes). They are scheduled for release in 2012. the concept behind these is never quitting, giving up on yourself and always staying fresh and true to your style. I made the shoes cracked like broken glass to demonstrate this. It has two hits of the Fresh Yard logo on the outers of the shoe and in the inner it has NEVER QUIT and STAY FRESH. Both with this broken element.

Let me know your thoughts on this and comments if any. Feel free to repost and share only if you link this back to my blog and give me credit.

Liu’s Golden Eagles by Sole Junkie

// October 6th, 2011 // No Comments » // Sneakers

These are a pair of Nike Air Force 1s I did for a good friend in Taipei Taiwan. Inspired by traditional Chinese paintings I wanted to capture Royalty and elegance in a shoe. On the outside of the shoes are two Chinese Golden Eagles surrounded by clouds and thunderbolts. Trying to attain a balance between the the powerful animal and thunderstorm. A Ying and Yang pull if you will. Life/Death, Beauty and Balance. In keeping with royalty I chose authentic 23k gold leaf as a medium. Which I painted the artwork on top of. I restitched the midsoles with gold string as well as adding a Bespoke stitching to the top to carry the color of the thread throughout the shoe design. My friend is a fan of tribal line art as in tattoos. So I etched in tribal from the mid panels to the toe area. I then painted over the etched area in a ultra flat black paint so it has a contrast to the sheen of the original leather.

I believe these are truly works of art with one of earths most precious metals and detail to enhance its beauty.

I hope you enjoy these and look forward to comments.

Special thanks to Mike Herana for the photographs.

Assassin’s Creed AF1 Mid by Sole Junkie

// October 6th, 2011 // 10 Comments » // Sneakers

I was asked to make some shoes inspired by the hit video game Assassin’s Creed. After doing some research and sketches…I came up with these. Nike Air Force One Mids with the Altair on the sides with logo hits… I think my rendering of the character is pretty good considering the surface area and the size of the imagery. I think it was around two inches.

These shoes to me look pretty good. Feel free to repost, leave comments and enjoy.

Special thanks to Mike Herana for the photos.

Book Signing at The Fresh Yard, San Diego w/ Home Grown Blends

// September 4th, 2011 // No Comments » // Events

So I had a great time with The Fresh Yard Gang and Home Grown Blend Crew.   A special thanks to Pete Ngyun, Kwa Ngyun, Mike Herana and Jon Molina for making it happen.

Thanks to all that came out and supported. I would tell you how fun it was and how twisted Pete got me off shots of Casadores, but since you weren’t there you missed it! You’ll just have to look at these pics below and imagine.

All images Property of Mike Herana and Home Grown Blends

Book signing! Sept 3rd in San Diego.

// August 22nd, 2011 // No Comments » // Events

This should be fun! Come join me and the guys from the Fresh Yard on Saturday September 3rd from noon-6p. There will be music, food, ice cream, free hair cuts…the works. And last but not least yours truly signing copies of my book! See you there! Oh yeah did I mention to attend is free and for all ages! Bring your grandma and bring your kids!

Custom Croc Tutorial (Video)

// May 23rd, 2011 // No Comments » // Videos

Here is the way I create Crocodile or Alligator texture on a shoe without having to disassemble the shoe.
Tools:

• Pencil
• Reference Material: Alligator or Croc images.
• Woodburner
• Dremel w/ buffer tool
• Super Fine Sandpaper if you do not own a Dremel
• Time
• PRACTICE!!

Check out the video …drop me a note and definitely share the site, blog, links…etc…

Remember I don’t get paid for sharing secrets…so getting credit for it is all I ask. THX!