Project: Torchwood: Matt Jago

So, we skipped January after such a busy Christmas, and it’s paid off handsomely. We’re bigger and better and my mojo has returned. For how long is questionable, but having completed Chapter One of Mitchell’s new story this morning, during breakfast, I’m happy at last. Happy that finally after many frustrating months, I’m writing again and that’s got to be worth little victory dances around the Office.

This month Tony has been busy reviewing tons of Big Finish and Who Reviews for us. Reece and I bring you a couple of Profiles to check out. Andrew brings us our first SJA of the year, and Sarah delights us with chapter two of her Lady C Adventures, which are always awesome to read.

We have interviews with Nathan Sussex – catching up on his Hollyoaks character and Matt Jago, for his awesome designs on Converse and Vans trainers which you may have seen on social media sites, especially John Barrowman’s Page, showing off a cool pair of Star Wars ones.

Content that my story is now taking off well, I’m off to make a start on Chapter 2.

Enjoy Issue 66, WATNOW: Adam

Djak

Interviews Matt Jago - Custom Art Designer by DJ Forrest

Custom Art designers are popping up a lot these days, and I’d love to be as artistic as they are, with their canvas paintings on Converse and Vans trainers, these are real pieces of work that you’d want to treasure forever. I’m not sure, after spending a vast amount of money on a piece of art, I’d want to take them out in the rain though.

We caught up with Matt Jago who came to our attention after a photo was posted on social media by John Barrowman, showing off his rather fancy pair of Converse with Captain Jack and the Tardis on them. Naturally, we wanted to know more, and after locating Matt on Twitter, then viewed more of his artwork on his website, we wanted to know more.

Hi Matt, thanks for this opportunity.

Have you always had artistic flair or have you had to hone your craft through uni or is this a natural talent crafted on your love of all things sci fi?

Matt: It's definitely a natural talent which has grown massively over the years. I have always loved being arty since a young age but didn't attend art school or uni for it.

I certainly wasn't as good as I am now when I started painting the shoes 8 years ago.

You have an awesome Etsy page, I love all of them. Do you just paint shoes?

Matt: At the moment I'm busy with the shoes yes. But will be painting canvases very soon.

How did you meet John in order for him to own a pair of your shoe art?

Matt: I met John at Supanova Brisbane. He came to my stall and actually purchased my Star Wars converse for his display back home and then he placed a custom order for the Dr Who/Torchwood pair.

Do you do commissions for other celebrities or people in general?

Matt: I do take commissioned orders, yes. The majority of my work is commissioned. John is my biggest celeb so far.

Are you a fan of the genres you paint for?

Matt: I do get a lot of different requests for different genres and I am definitely a fan of the comics/sci-fi/musical genres I paint.

I would imagine that painting onto canvas, especially shoes, doesn't leave room for error. How do you prepare before each painting?

Matt: I actually create designs on Photoshop first, so I have a clear image of how I want the shoes to look before I paint.

How long does it take to complete an order (as such)?

Matt: The timing does depend on what I am painting but for example the John Barrowman pair took 16 hours in total. Which is actually super fast for two portraits, the Tardis, Torchwood tower and I also added the DW logo and Torchwood logo to the tongues.

Can you move for shoes in your house? Or do you have a workshop?

Matt: I do work from home and I do have a huge stack of shoes in boxes. I order in the shoes on a weekly basis, so I have a nice flow of shoes in and out.

How many years have you been painting shoe art for and when did your interest in this kind of art begin?

Matt: I've been painting on shoes for 8 years and it all started with a birthday gift for my brother. That led on to a couple of people asking for a pair then a couple more and there was a lot of interest, so I started a Facebook page and I took off.

Other than Etsy, do you have anywhere else that showcases your work?

Matt: I have a website store http://www.MattsCustomArt.com where you can order any shoe I have on there or place a custom order and I'm also on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @MattsCustomArt.

Because the shoes are painted, would it streak if you wore them in the rain. or if they were damp?

Matt: The paint is totally permanent. It won't run or fade in the rain. And can be washed.

Thank you so much for the interview.

Matt: Thank you very much

Photos for the cover and indeed the interview are courtesy of Matt Jago

Credit John Barrowman for photo of proudly showing off designer shoes.

Pages

Tuesday, 5 February 2019

Articles Welcome to Issue 66 WATNOW: Adam

Interviews Matt Jago - Custom Art Designer by DJ Forrest

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