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49 Pairs. 98 Shoes. Less Than 24 Hours. One of My Craziest Customization Projects Yet.

People often see the finished artwork, but they rarely see the story behind it.


This project started when I was contacted by a third-party agency for a private company that wanted 49 pairs of shoes to be hand-customized. I was excited about the opportunity, but I made one thing very clear from the beginning: I was about to travel, so all artwork needed to be approved well in advance. Hand-painting every single shoe takes time, and with my travel schedule, I couldn’t afford last-minute changes.


Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned.

The final approval only came 48 hours before my flight.


Normally that would already be stressful, but my schedule was even more packed. At the same time, I was committed to two corporate sand animation performances that demanded my full attention. The morning was dedicated to a LEAP company event, followed by another performance for a production company later that day. Sand animation isn’t something you can multitask - it requires rehearsals, focus, precision, and complete concentration, especially when performing live for corporate audiences.


While I was busy performing, dozens of shoe boxes were delivered to my house. I brought one sample with me so I could paint the first design during any spare moment and send it for approval. Once the design was finally approved, there was no more time to waste.


The real challenge had just begun.


Forty-nine pairs meant 98 individual shoes, each painted entirely by hand.

Knowing the deadline was almost impossible, I hired another artist to help me with the workload. It became a race against the clock.

The morning after my performances, I woke up at 11 a.m. (yes, I’m definitely an afternoon person!) and immediately started painting. My home quickly transformed into a miniature production studio, with shoe boxes covering almost every available space.

Hour after hour, brushstroke after brushstroke, we kept going.


There were no shortcuts. Every shoe still needed the same level of care and consistency because each customer deserved a quality piece, regardless of how tight the deadline was.

By 1:00 a.m. the following morning, we had done it.


All 49 pairs were completed just in time.

The booking agent even came that same night to collect every single box because we believed the event was the very next day. Later, we found out the event was actually the day after!

After all that pressure, we couldn’t help but laugh. 😆



The very next day, it was finally time for me to head to the airport and catch my flight.

Looking back, this project reminded me why I love what I do. Creative work isn’t only about painting beautiful designs. It’s about problem-solving under pressure, adapting when plans suddenly change, staying committed to deadlines, and sometimes turning your living room into an art factory overnight.

Was it exhausting?


Absolutely.


Would I want another 98-shoe marathon with less than 24 hours’ notice?


Maybe… after a very long nap.


But moments like these become the stories I’ll never forget. They remind me that behind every finished artwork is a journey filled with late nights, teamwork, determination, and a little bit of controlled chaos.


Sometimes, the most memorable projects aren’t the easiest ones—they’re the ones that prove just how much you’re capable of when every second counts.


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This blog is where art meets adventure. You’ll find travel stories, behind-the-scenes of my creative projects, event experiences, personal reflections, practical travel tips, and honest moments from a life that’s constantly evolving.

Whether you’re here because you love art, enjoy traveling, or simply appreciate authentic stories, I’m grateful you’re part of this journey.


Let’s connect!


Thank you for reading, and I hope my stories inspire you to create boldly, travel often, and never stop chasing the life you’re meant to live.



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