Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maddie Cook. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Maddie, appreciate you joining us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

My first client was a friend of mine. As an artist specializing in painting, I was gifted Angelus sneaker paint and he asked me to paint an album cover on a pair of black Air Force 1s for him. I took inspiration from Gunna’s album Drip Season 3 as per his request. This was my first time officially painting on sneakers, and I was so excited to take on the project! Coming up with the artwork was a blast, and I remember how stoked he was once they were completed. I was just as excited to not only sell another artwork I created, but also to have finished a piece in a new medium.

It was his pair that made my business what it is today. Once I posted them on my Instagram, I had more friends and family reach out to have their sneakers painted. I have now had the pleasure of working with more hundreds of individual clients and well known brands like Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola, local sports teams such as the Calgary Wild and the Calgary Surge.

Maddie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi! I’m Maddie, an artist from Calgary, Alberta, specializing in hand-painted designs on custom sneakers. I also paint on canvas and love to explore other mediums and crafts. I got into custom sneakers during the pandemic while I was completing my Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Calgary. What started as a creative outlet quickly turned into something much bigger as I began sharing my work and taking on commissions. I realized there was a huge opportunity to create personalized wearable art, so I created an Instagram page to share my work.

All of my customs are commission based, making what I create unique and individualized to each of my clients. I’ve painted many designs from album covers to anime to team logos, etc. I use Angelus leather paint, which is meant for and adheres to leather and canvas materials, allowing me to paint not just sneakers but also purses and clothing, and even water bottles and gaming controllers.

The level of detail and care that goes into each piece is what sets me apart. No two designs are ever the same, and I take pride in making sure each project feels one of a kind. What I really offer my clients goes beyond just a product—it’s a way to express their personality, interests, and identity through something they can wear or use every day. Whether it’s a meaningful gift, a statement piece, or something tied to a brand or team, I work closely with each client to bring their vision to life.

Since graduating in 2023, I’ve focused on growing my business full-time. I’ve now painted over 500 pairs of sneakers and have had the opportunity to collaborate with major brands, local sports teams, and corporate clients on a variety of projects. I also continue to create stretched canvas work, with one of my pieces currently displayed at Earls in Southcentre Mall in Calgary.

One of the things I’m most proud of is building this business from the ground up and turning something I love into a career. Seeing people connect with my work, whether it’s through wearing it, gifting it, or displaying it, is what keeps me inspired.
At the core of my brand, I want people to see that art doesn’t have to live only on a wall; it can be worn, used, and experienced by others in everyday life.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Social media has played a huge role in growing my audience. Word of mouth online is very powerful when someone shares my work to their page. It introduces it to an entirely new audience and opens up opportunities to reach future clients. Content creation is a big portion of my job, and while it can be demanding, I try to approach it in a way that feels fun and authentic. When I took social media too seriously, I found myself burning out quickly, which held me back from growing. Finding that balance is key. I’ve been focusing on YouTube recently, and with consistency while also staying true to myself and my brand, I have grown to over 2000 subscribers and reached over 4 million views across my channel.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think a big part of building my reputation has been my attention to detail and consistency, both in the quality of my work and in how I show up online. I work closely with each client to help bring their vision to life and I am consistent in my communication, keeping them in the loop on their project with progress photos and updates. I always make sure to promptly respond to inquiries and always strive to hit deadlines. Over time, this approach has led to repeat clients, referrals, and opportunities to work on larger projects. My clients trust that every piece I paint is created with detailed care and will last years with proper care.

I truly am so grateful for each of my clients and the relationships I have built with them. It is so rewarding to be able to translate their interests and personalities onto a pair of sneakers that not only represents who they are, but also gives them a unique, wearable art piece that they feel confident in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maddiecustoms.com
• Instagram: @maddiecustoms
• Youtube: @maddiecustoms

Image Credits

Personal photo was taken by @bethestory.ca on instagram. Remaining photos were taken by myself or a family member.