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Q1 Could you tell me about yourself?
My real name is Steven Cedre Jr., aka SOLE JUNKIE. I go by SOLE. I was born in Lynn, MA and raised in the Bronx, NY. I am Puerto Rican. I am married and have 3 kids.
I bounced around from state to state and finally settled in California. I attended Long Beach State University and earned my degree in Fine Art. I have a Bachelors of Fine Art with a specialization in drawing and painting. I did some galleries had a few shows...but since I am a family man, I have to make a more productive living. Art is very competitive and subjective when it comes to buying. There are a few factors for Galleries: I think it's the aesthetic quality of your pieces. The viewers mood. The right representation. Timing and connections to be successful in the gallery scene.
I will get back to it someday...hopefully soon. I just love to paint.
Q2 When did you start to make the custom kicks?
Its actually a good story! A while back, I was laying down against my sons bed in his room. My son being a boy and well, my son, was jumping around and fell off his bed and landed on my head. He pushed my head into my chest and down to the left. I felt this pop in my neck and immediately started to shake uncontrollably. |
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I called for my wife in the other room and came to my aid. We went to the emergency room and several doctor visits and weeks later I came to find out I had 2 bulging discs in my neck. I couldn't lift my head for a month. In that time my brothers told me about these guys in Harlem who were painting on shoes for money. They then challenged me to try it out. In my down time, I researched the shoe painting process and painting mediums. I made my first shoe: Dr Pedro Albizu Campos (a Puerto Rican civil rights advocate and National Hero). They then told me to put them online. At that time I just started a Myspace account and had just a few friends to communicate with, so I used the free site to display the shoes. Now its just a great tool for networking and promoting yourself.
Q3 Your shoes are amazing cause many custom kicks could tell its painted on the shoes, but yours doesn't, very smooth, clean and nice color. Do you use special paint or technique?
The paints I use are water based acrylics...what separates the me from the rest of the artists out there may be that I take my time with my work. I strive for clean lines, good color ways, sharp edges, a factory look and interesting designs. Qualtiy is the key to success. |
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Q7 Are there any people who inspired you?
There are tons of people...I don't know where to begin answering this question. This is a real big list. I'm actually hoping to meet these people in one way or another.
First of all my family and friends... Tego Calderon, Fat Joe, Mos Def, John Singer Sargent
Odd Nerdrum, Hector Lavoe, El Gran Combo Etc... |
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Q8 How much does it cost to get shoes customized? How long does it take?
My prices range and vary according to designs. The more intricate and detailed the composition the higher the ticket. The average price is $400. Pricing is always an issue. No matter what you charge, $1000 or 25 cents, its always to high. Many confuse hand crafted artwork with an assembly line. This is just another challenge between the artist and a machine. I call it the John Henry problem. I cannot compete against a machine nor can a machine compete or produce what I can provide.
It may take just a few days to do a pair of shoes. The turn around time on shoes may be 1-2 weeks and go up to a month.
I am fortunate that the people who support my art are patient…they want quality!
Q9 Is it possible that the customers provide the ideas for their custom kicks?
I collaborate with my clients 90% of the time. There are certain things that they need to be put on the shoe along with color and I facilitate that. I translate their thoughts into something tangible. Wearable art! |
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You haven't seen Sole Junkies custom shoes in Japan yet, but lots of susceptible sneaker heads in the States already know about his custom kicks. Steven Cedre Jr. aka Sole Junkie is a painter who has done many gallery works and shows, started to customize the kicks this year. You see lots of custom sneakers out there and you can tell that they are painted. Lots of them are poorly painted, low quality and sold at high prices. However, Sole Junkie kicks are detailed, very smooth, clean lines, sharp edges and have interesting designs that you haven't seen anywhere in the stores. You could totally tell he puts in many hours to finish each shoe. The average price is around $400. The prices go up depending on the designs but it's worth it to pay, it is one of a kind wearable art.
Raised in the Bronx, NY and influenced by Hip Hop/Latino cultures, Sole tries to incorporate the aspects of these cultures to his kicks. Mad Hip Hop and Reggaeton artists that have his shoes include: Tony Touch, Talib Kweli, Juggaknots, Bobbito, Bizarre and Con Artist from D12, MC Serch, Larry Cheeba, Julio Voltio, Alexis and Fido (duo)etc... They are big fans of Sole Junkies kicks.
Currently Sole's kicks are available at Atomsphere (Fox Hills Mall in Culver City, East LA and Montebello) in Los Angeles area. Sole Junkie ships international as well. If you are interested in ordering Sole Junkies custom kicks, check out his websites: http://www.solejunkie.com or http://www.myspace.com/cedrerock1 or Email him directly: solejunkiecustoms@yahoo.com |
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Q4 Your style shows lot of hip hop, Reggae and Latin influences.....
I try to incorporate the aspects of the cultures I've come to love and grew up with. My Puerto Rican heritage lets me touch base with latinos and the many types of music from my island. My hip hop influence and being a true b-boy at heart keep me in tune with the street, styles and current events. Reggae adds to my Caribbean flavor with the many bright colors celebrated by all the islands. Combine all this into one fine artist and you get: ME!
Q5 Which artists wear your kicks?
My resume' is nice but I would love to improve upon it. I want a few others that I haven't been able to talk to yet. Currently these are the artists and their genre of music:
(Hip Hop) Tony Touch, Talib Kweli, Bobbito Garcia The Legend!, Love Bug Starsky, Disco Wiz, Juggaknots, Mc Serch, Bizarre from D12, Con Artist from D12, Larry Cheeba
(Reggaeton) Julio Voltio, Alexis y Fido
Q6 I heard you also paint and draw on Canvas....
Yes, as mentioned before I have done some gallery work and am really looking forward to do some more impressive work. |
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I like to paint urban landscapes. I am not able to go out and bomb walls. So I now create my environment and tag them up. I put my imagery and messages in subtle and not so subtle ways on these created spaces.
I try to keep the feeling of the city well represented in these pieces. I approach my artwork on canvas just the same as I approach my shoes. The difference is that I am able to communicate more of a message in my paintings and on the other hand I can get more of an instant gratification and name with my shoes. It is a challenging balance. |
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Q10 Are there any stores carry your kicks?
Currently there are a few stores in Los Angles that carry my work.
Atomsphere (Former: Athletes Foot) Fox Hills Mall, East LA and Montebello. I can always use more! So I'm open for new and exciting prospects. |
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Q11 Do you have website? How customer can contact you?
You can contact me various ways.
http://www.solejunkie.com
http://www.sole-junkie.com
http://www.stevencedre.com
http://www.myspace.com/cedrerock1
solejunkiecustoms@yahoo.com
Whew…that was a lot! Lol
Q12 Any messege?
I challenge people to be pioneers and leaders. Whether it be in art, fashion and music.
The current trends are wonderful...but take it a few steps further. Everyone wants to stand out and get attention for who they are. My work is just an extention of their thoughts and aesthetics put on a shoe and soon other mediums as well. You have to check in periodically to see what I have in store!
On another note, we need to support art. We need to encourage creativity and be able to give artists as many venues and opportunities to be able to demonstrate their knowledge and talents.
Without art we are lost!
SUPPORT REAL ART! |
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