When a vacation in Maui and a surprise birthday present meet..
I’m excited to share my journey of creating my first pair of custom-painted Air Jordan Mid 1s leather sneakers for my good friend that was nothing short of spectacular! If you're into custom sneakers or just love Air Jordans, keep reading to learn about my process, challenges, and triumphs!
My friend had her birthday in paradise, Maui, and wanted me to join. So I hopped on a plane and decided to surprise her with some custom-painted shoes!
The Challenge of Painting Perfectly White Air Jordan 1s
The excitement of starting this project was quickly tempered by the sheer terror of messing up a pair of pristine, perfectly white Air Jordan Mid 1s. As an artist used to working on paper, moving to a three-dimensional surface like a shoe was a daunting task.
Overcoming Mental Barriers in Custom Sneaker Painting
The first hurdle was psychological. The fear of failure was real.
What if I mess up this pristine white shoe?
What materials do I even get?
Is it going to look any good?
I spent countless hours thinking about the blank shoes, paralyzed by the potential for mistakes. I had to remind myself that every artist starts somewhere, and mistakes are part of the creative process. This mental shift was crucial in allowing me to even begin sketching!
Researching and Conceptualizing the Custom Air Jordan Design
Understanding my friend’s interests was the key to this project. The motifs I chose have a deep connection to Hawaii, so I wanted to incorporate elements that would be meaningful. This involved researching Hawaiian motifs and symbols along with including the color turquoise (my friend’s favorite color!) I decided to include:
Ferns: Symbolizing growth and resilience, ferns are a staple in Hawaiian flora. Palapalai (Microlepia strigosa): Used in hula and lei making, it is one of the most culturally significant ferns.
Lauhala (leaves usually used to weave mats): This popular motif, represents family from all generations and the extended family including the connections to people we meet.
Plumeria: A beautiful flower that signifies positivity, love and beauty.
Sketching the Custom Air Jordan Design
With these elements in mind, I began sketching. The flat surface of my sketchbook felt safe and familiar, but translating those sketches onto the curved surface of the Air Jordan sneakers was another story. I practiced on paper cutouts shaped like the shoe panels to get a feel for the design’s placement and flow.
The Custom Painting Process with Angelus Paints
Once I felt confident with my sketches, it was time to transfer them to the shoes. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of my process:
Preparation: I carefully cleaned the Air Jordan 1s to ensure the paint would adhere properly. This required ‘deglazing’ the factory film.
Base Layer: Applying a base layer of paint took a lot of patience because it required 3-4 thin layers to ensure quality.
Detailed Work: Using various Angelus brushes, I started with the detailed elements – the ferns, patterns and plumeria. I took my time, ensuring each stroke was deliberate and precise.
Layering and Shading: Building up layers of paint to add depth and dimension to the design. This was where the shoes really started to come to life.
Finishing Touches: I added the finishing touches, ensuring every detail was perfect and a final satin coat. I also hand dyed the laces yellow with a softer attentive to create contrast.
Learning and Perfecting with Angelus Paints
Using Angelus paints and brushes for the first time was a learning experience in itself. The quality of the paints was impressive, but mastering their application required patience and practice. I painted every evening for two weeks, often with a nice glass of rosé in my favorite Camus Vineyards glass, watching a documentary and catching up on House of the Dragons! This nightly ritual became a soothing routine, blending creativity with relaxation.
Trial and Error in Custom Sneaker Art
There were plenty of moments where things didn’t go as planned. I painted and repainted sections multiple times. Mistakes were inevitable, but each one was a learning opportunity. I discovered the importance of letting layers dry completely and how to fix small errors without ruining the entire design. The process of perfecting the shoes taught me resilience and the value of perseverance. I literally painted one whole side gold, didn’t like it, and REPAINTED it the standard color white!
Final Thoughts on Customizing Air Jordan 1s
The process of creating these custom Air Jordan Mid 1s was a blend of excitement, fear, and immense satisfaction. The mental barriers were the hardest to overcome, but once I started, the project took on a life of its own. Seeing the joy on my friend’s face when they received the sneakers was worth every moment of doubt and anxiety. Check out her reaction here.
This experience taught me that stepping out of my comfort zone is where true growth happens. Customizing sneakers combines my love for art with a new medium, and I can’t wait to start my next project. If you’re thinking about customizing your own sneakers, I say go for it! Embrace the nervousness, trust your skills, and let your creativity shine.
Stay creative!