Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Twilight Cover Comes to LIfe: Kimbra Hickey


So, we’re still catching up on old, but no less awesome, news. Punkyourchucks.com has had the great privilege to paint custom pumps for Kimbra Hickey, the hands of Twilight. The picture to the left, taken by Steve DeCanio, is Kimbra and her shoes.

It’s an iconic book cover, which I’m sure even those who are not fans, would recognize. The two hands extending an apple toward the reader, the apple representing forbidden fruit and, as the author Stephenie Meyer claims, to her it speaks, among its many implications, choice. But what most readers, myself included, rarely consider is what lies beyond the image. What went into making that cover instantly recognizable as Twilight. Thanks to Heidi Bennett, who runs the largest official Twilight facebook fan site, punkyourchucks.com came into contact with Kimbra Hickey, a hand, leg, and arm model who posed with the apple for the cover of Twilight.

Kimbra, who has done a number of things since and before Twilight, even brought MAG in for a photo shoot with her and the apple. Well, probably not the same apple I assume that one is well past its sell by date. Needless to say, you bring an NYC bred graffiti artist/painter and put them in front of a camera, a few high jinks are bound to ensue.

This awesome picture was taken by Bill Diodato, and despite MAG’s consumption of the apple needed for the shoot, they were able to continue. The rest of the pics are on MAG’s facebook page for those who want to check it out. How cool is that, though? Well, opinions are always varied, but to me that screams way cool.

You can check out the shoes painted for Kimbra at punkyourchucks.com and a visit to her website is highly advised. You’ve probably seen Kimbra a hundred times before on a billboard or in a magazine, although it might have only been her hand or foot. With the growing popularity from her work with Twilight, which she had no idea was going to blow up so huge at the time, Kimbra has went on to create her own product designs and they’re totally worth checking out. Big things can come from the smallest opportunity. I think that’s why they tell you to open the door when it comes knocking.

We’re bringing this new post to a close and MAG, as far as I know, is still in contact with Kimbra so this might not be the last we hear of her at punkyourchucks.com. It certainly won’t be the last we hear of her in the Twilight community and beyond. More to come, oh so much more…a blogger’s work is never done, I guess.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Taking Over: First up- Samuel L. Jackson

Wow, it’s been a long time. Does reliability mean nothing anymore? It’s about standards. Now, let’s see if we can jump start things into a new kind of trend. I have A LOT of catching up to do and I have recently started correspondence with the artist behind punkyourchucks.com, MAG. I’ll be asking him questions about what’s going on with the shoes and keeping up with new stories and the latest buyers.

For now, let me inform you of a contact by Amanda Tracey, she runs Samuel L. Jackson ’s production company UPPITV, about shoes for Jackson. Yeah, you read that right. Samuel L. Jackson was given a pair of Air Force Ones with his production company’s logo on them. Jackson has starred in films from Pulp Fiction and Jurassic Park to Ironman 2. I guess he’s just one of those names that you know. And he is totally sporting a pair of custom Punk Your Chucks Nike’s. Tracey also ordered a pair of custom Chucks for her colleague Eli.

The shoes took about two days to complete and according to MAG, “Nike's are harder to paint than Converse. I enjoy painting anything new, different is cool, the same is monotonous.” I’ve taken a crack at drawing back in the day, and I can tell you…to paint the same thing over and over, well, I don’t know that I could do it. That takes a special kind of talent and patience that eludes even more devoted artists. It’s a skill in itself. So go check them out at punkyourchucks.com. Now. Just kidding, at your own leisure or whenever. But seriously. Check it out.

So much more to come, how many months worth? Yeah, enough said. Look for updates soon.

Friday, August 20, 2010

MAG gets personal with Tokyo Love-In!

Last month we had the AWESOME privilege of meeting Michael Chin (Tokyo Love-In) and Pete Longworth. They are from Australia and met MAG at the recent New York Film Festival in NYC.

Mike and Pete are two of the most talented photographers I ever met. They came over to our apartment and took over 2,000 photos, as well as video footage of MAG and his studio! Check out one of the videos below!

Keep an eye on these guys. Their photos are so beautiful. I don't know how they do it. Mike is also a talented composer (he composes the music on his videos and I have to confess I play it over and over just to hear that beat!).

Be sure to check out their websites to see more of their work (Mike's site and Pete's site). You will be impressed!

Oh, and don't let me forget about Kerry Payne. Another gifted photographer. We hung out with her, Mike and Pete on her rooftop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Now those who know me know I'm deathly afraid of heights. But I have to tell you, it was a gorgeous view! And Kerry was so warm and friendly. You feel like you know her instantly.

MAG Paints Sneakers for Noah Tepperberg


MAG just finished a pair of really cool custom sneakers for Noah Tepperberg.

Noah Tepperberg is the co-founder of the Strategic Group and the Strategic Hospitality Group. He is also co-owner and operator of Avenue and Marquee in New York City, LAVO in Las Vegas, and part owner of Tao Las Vegas.

Noah's assistant Ashlee ordered this pair as a birthday present for him. He loved them.

MAG went downtown to meet Noah today and was very impressed!

MAG with Noah Tepperberg
MAG with Ashlee

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

MAG Paints Sneakers for Toby Rand of Juke Kartel



Remember that show called Rockstar Supernova? It was Tommy Lee, Gilby Clarke (Guns & Roses) and Jason Newsted (Metallica).

Well if you did watch the show you no doubt remember Toby Rand. He didn't win, but left a lasting impression on everyone.

Toby has a new band called Juke Kartel and MAG was so excited to paint a custom pair of sneakers for him.

Check out the photos...MAG personally handed the sneakers to Toby in California last month. And MAG says Toby is one of the best performers he's ever seen on stage. So if you ever have a chance to see them, be sure to check them out. Right now they are on tour with none other than Slash!














MAG Paints Sneakers for Living Dead Lights


It's been a crazy year! There are lots of things to catch up on. So this will be the first post of many...
First, MAG painted sneakers for an awesome band called Living Dead Lights.
CHECK OUT THIS NEWS ABOUT THEM...
August 3, 2010 Living Dead Lights released their self-titled CD. It's the Hot Topic edition and will be available in Hot Topic (Southern California) and http://hottopic.com
Punk Your Chucks is proud to be part of their "DEAD EDITION" giveaway for all fans who purchase their CD. All you have to do is email a copy of your receipt for buying their CD to: info@livingdeadlights.com. Make sure you include your name, address, email and telephone number.


























































Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Photos of Jackson Rathbone with our sneakers!

Jackson Rathbone (Jasper from Twilight movies)

I know a lot of you have been waiting for the photos of Jackson Rathbone with our sneakers. Well we finally have them!

Jackson Rathbone (Jasper from the Twilight movies) asked us to paint a unique custom pair of Converse for him. They came out awesome and he will be wearing them on his current tour with his band 100 Monkeys.

Ben G from 100 Monkeys

Consequently, we also painted pairs for his bandmates Ben G and Jerad. Jerad got Vans and Ben G got custom high top Converse. All have a 100 Monkeys theme. Enjoy the photos!

Jerad from 100 Monkeys