We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jose Vela a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jose, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Well to begin, I’m a hands on learner. That’s probably why I struggled so much in school, especially high school. I have to do something over and over again to learn. Reading and learning was never it for me. So I would just look for old shoes to paint, plus I had plenty of family members who were willing to help me practice on their children’s shoes. After each pair of shoes, you learn something new. You learn a new shortcut or what works and what doesn’t. Which helps you become faster and efficient. Trial and error plays a big factor especially when it comes to customizing shoes, because every shoe is different. I think for the most part, the most essential skill I’ve learned is how to cover up your mistakes, cause they will happen. You have to figure out what you need to do to either fix it, or adapt and change the design where it still goes with the theme but you would never know it was a mistake. I’ve ran into plenty myself.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I painted my first pair of shoes in 2015 but didn’t really take it seriously until about 2018. What really got people’s attention is my Topo Chico Vans. I never expected for them to get as popular as they did. That was never my intention. I honestly didn’t think the colors would work together which were mint, yellow and red, but some have even said that never mind the Topo Chico theme, they just love the color way. Since then I have customized Jarritos Vans, pizza Vans, and even Tiffs Treats Vans. I guess you could say Vans are my favorite shoes to customize. What I really enjoy doing is sectioning off the shoes and seeing what colors work together and/or how the colors can compliment each other on the shoes, while still fitting to the theme. For the most part customers let me freestyle the shoes while still being within the theme they want, I’m guessing I’ve succeeded because I haven’t had any complaints yet. That also brings me joy knowing that they trust my better judgment.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Crediting the artist in any piece, from custom shoes to illustrations of any kind is crucial. I find that people are so drawn to the art, that the artist gets forgotten. There’s been so many times I run into illustrations especially online on big platform profiles, and there’s no credit to the artist. The artist is missing out on potential customers or just people loving up on their art. It’s always a wonderful feeling to have someone appreciate your designs, artwork or whatever it might be, it’s always humbling and it definitely inspires us to keep going.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2022, I decided I wanted to quit my job and go full time with selling my artwork in its many forms. It was scary, because one gets so accustomed to getting a paycheck every month, now it wasn’t guaranteed if I was or not. I knew I would have to put more than 100% to provide for my family and pay the bills. If I’m not putting in the work, there’s no money. That definitely rewired my brain. It also takes your mind and work ethic off cruise control. You’re in the driver seat now and you gotta make the right turns to get to where you’re going. To today, I’m still full time, there’s definitely struggles, ups and downs, but with Gods help and good work ethic, everything will be alright.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.candlecandoit.art
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