This UNISWAG Spotlight piece we caught up with Joe Castro aka Undefined Arts who is responsible for some of the dopest custom cleats you see your favorite athletes wearing each week.
• How long have you been customizing cleats for NFL athletes?
This will be my 3rd NFL Season. I started in October 2017
• Who was the first athlete you did a custom pair for?
Hayes Pullard (NFL Linebacker) was the first Athlete I worked with.
• What first got you into customizing cleats?
I was watching the first My Cause My Cleats initiative on the NFL network while painting a tailgate table. As a joke I turned to my wife and said “get me an airbrush I can do that”. She bought me a starter airbrush in February and said “prove it”. I painted 2 pairs of shoes to try it out in the summer and then painted a pair for myself before a USC football game in October. I posted them on my personal Instagram and tagged all the past and present Trojans I could in my post and Hayes reached out to me and it just took off from there.
• You are currently working with DeSean Jackson on his cleats each week. How did you guys come up with honoring Nipsey Hussle each week?
After the passing of Nipsey, Paul Richardson messaged me that Monday me said I need 2 pairs with Nipsey Portraits ASAP. I painted up 2 pairs and shipped them out to him, he posted them on his Instagram account and Desean saw them and got my number through Paul. Desean had already posted a pair painted by another artist because Nipsey and Desean are from the same city and were good friends. He sent me quite a few pairs asking me to do some Nipsey stuff for him as well. He gave me insight on his plans during the preseason.
• What is the creative process with you and DeSean? Does he come with a vision or leave it up to you?
It’s a good collaborative vibe with DeSean, if he wants anything specific, he shoots me his ideas. If I have an idea I shoot it over to him to see if he’s feeling the idea.
• What is your typical timeframe to create a custom pair of cleats?
I can do a pair anywhere from 2 hours to 20 hours based on the details in the concept.
• Who are some of the other top athletes you have had the opportunity to work with so far?
Paul Richardson, Desmond King, Melvin Ingram, Robert Woods, Melvin Gordon, Darqueze Dennard, Rayshawn Jenkins, Willie Snead, Jamison Crowder and many more. It’s hard to name everyone cause they’re all big in helping me out with expanding the creativity.
• Which athlete/s has pushed you the most creatively?
Paul Richardson and Hayes Pullard
• What has been the most challenging project you have worked on and why?
Any of the shoe recreations. I’ve done Air max 1 Air Max 97s, Air Max 95s, Air Max Plus Sunsets. Chucks, YEEZY Zebra, Vans old skool and SK8 hi, and even a Nike Cortez.
• Which pair is your favorite pair of cleats you have created thus far?
The first Pair of NIpsey cleats I painted for Paul and I painted these Marge Simpson cleats last season for Rayshawn Jenkins last year
• What brand or style of cleats are your favorite to customize on?
Nike Untouchable Pro usually the CF models that have the flush swoosh, but the Nike Vapor Speed 3 and Untouchable 3 are growing on me.
• Any insight you can share on some upcoming projects you have?
Have quite a few that are pretty cool concepts that I got to keep under wraps for now.
• What is the best way for athletes to get a hold of you if they want to start working with you?
DM via Instagram or email at undefined_arts@outlook.com
Check out some more of Joe Castro aka Undefined Arts custom work he has created and be sure to follow him to see what he makes each week this football season.
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