We recently connected with Jheri Cavitt (Jhericoco) and have shared our conversation below.
Jheri, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I knew early on as a child that a creative path would be my dream and ultimate journey.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
As long as I can remember I’ve always been involved in the arts. Although my first noticeable talent was drawing as a kid, performing arts intrigued me. But no matter my age and the current interest, I would always have the need to sketch, paint something onto a wall, design and sew my prom dresses or create in general. After obtaining a degree in Architecture, working as a graphic designer and vinyl signmaker for UCLA, starting my own graphic and web design business, working in the entertainment and modeling industry both in front and behind the camera; I now have found great satisfaction simply from painting onto shoes. What once started as a challenge in creating something unique for my brother’s birthday, soon blossomed into an exciting and successful business right in the midst of Covid. I noticed the ever growing customs trend and thought, “I should be able to create beautiful shoe art.” And I was right, and I did. Still to this day, the very first trial pair of shoes I painted for my brother, are one of my shop’s most loved designs (The Simpson’s Donut Design).
I primarily use Angeles leather shoe paints for all of my custom orders along with fabric mediums and finishes when needed. Since joining the 705 Costumers Union providing wardrobe for commercials, film, promos and music videos, I have been able to effortlessly join the 2 art forms having provided custom sneakers and painted goodies for the TV Series, Black-ish and 9-1-1’s Season Finale Wrap Events, as well as for Grammy Artists SZA, Robert Glasper, Kacey Musgraves, Paramore, Daddy Yankee and many more.
My work can be found via my websites, Instagram and on the Etsy platform. Now the shoe customization world has countless artists and you’ve to know your strengths and have great marketing to stay relevant. My strengths include paying attention to detail, clean lines and even more so, great customer service. When a potential client reaches out, I work hard to communicate within a timely manner, keep them posted on progress and shipments, and I always include branded shoe bags with a little hand written “Thank you.”I’m not afraid to pick up the phone and call them should I need clarity on a request, and I do NOT make assumptions when it comes to their custom design.
I have been so fortunate to create beautiful wearbale art for a living. Whenever I receive photos of crying and smiling kids, notice of a spouse that has successfully surprised their partners, and reviews from happy customers, that makes my day and it all worthwhile.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative are the smiles and emails I receive from elated customers. I never thought that a pair of painted sneakers could make someone’s day until I started this journey. A mother messaged me to inform me that her child cried when he opened his gift of painted customs. Another parent told me he wanted to gift his son a pair of customs because he was such a great kid. He later wore them to a Denver Nuggets game where Aaron Gordon actually signed them. To be a part of an everlasting, beautful memory is priceless.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
I think it would be a lovely dream if we could get to a place where non-creatives could think of artists and creatives as much more than just hobbyists. We all are given different gifts and many still believe that artists/creatives can’t make a living creating. I understand that I may not know much about the corporate world working a 9-5, but I can respect that what they provide helps make the world go around. We creatives need encouragement and support just as the student who excels in mathematics. We may need to seek out a different approach and avenue, but creatives are needed just as much.
Thinks about when you clock out of your day to day job, what are the things you do on your drive home or as soon as you walk through the door to unwind…? Do you listen to the radio, a podcast, turn on the tv, or even go shopping at your favorite clothing store? Artists and creatives make these things happen, and have for quite some time. And although many of us had to move to a different state and environment where creatives excelled, were supported, and where other people understood our language, we NEED to create to survive.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kicksxjhericoco.com , www.jhericoco.com
- Instagram: @jhericoco
- Other: www.etsy.com/shop/jhericoco