JOR ONE'S GUIDE TO CUSTOM SNEAKERS

At one point I remember wanting to give up art and go straight to Wall Street. So I got a bunch of books and long story short, I found out most Wall Street guys work like slaves only to start living at retirement. (Why does it seem like most careers are like that?) I was disappointed, but grateful for the straight talk.

So, if you’re considering pursuing custom sneakers as a profession, I hate to burst your bubble, but I will anyway. Don’t think of sneaker painting as a profession. If you want to paint shoes for fun, that’s fine. You may even figure out how to make a few bucks. But be aware that there are many more lucrative ways to make money from your talent than painting sneakers. Go to school or better yet, become a designer. The money is better and more consistent. If you cringe at the idea of working for someone else, take a screen printing class and make t-shirts.

Of course there are always exception. If you have a vision that’ll blow up the game, awesome for you! Painting custom sneakers is still a relatively new art form, so there’s still room to make your mark. Just remember that you’ll have to take creative and business risks and probably face a lot of rejection and disappointment. No matter what you decide to do, it will all be worth it if you listen to your gut, have fun, and follow your passion. Good Luck! 

Check out the JOR ONE site for more customs and his fresh new line of apparel!