I am really excited to introduce everyone to my most recent artist.  He’s talented, full of energy and has a knack for making people feel good!

Meet: Rafael Colon

He’s not your ordinary artist.  More like a shoe magician.  He can create unique designs and customer’s likes come to life. Your favorite team, a funky pattern or a fun cartoon character…Rafael has the skills to make your idea walk.

q- How long have you been  drawing/painting?

He’s been drawing for as long as he can remember and has brought his designs to life in the form of sneakers for the past year and a half.

q- What do you get your ideas/inspiration from?

Since his daughter was the first person to inspire him to start drawing on shoes, he finds inspiration and ideas from her. {She had the coolest Lady Gaga themed Converse’s on her feet} But also from the customers, and designs shoes based on what they want.

q-What type of demographic are you going for?

“Everyone” and he means it.  Rafael has an open mind.  As he mentioned to me, whatever the customer wants, he will make.  From shoes for 8 year girls to Doc Martens for Rockstars, he can create it.

q- Where does the name Brolicdesigns come from?

“I was in an elevator and this kid said to me, ‘your brolic’. I had never heard that term before but I knew I liked it.”   “I kept it in the back of my head, and when this started, Brolic designs is what I went with”.  A brolic or “jacked up” sneaker.

q-What’s one of your favorite designs?

” They are all good, because they are all different.”  He explained that each sneaker he designs is a completely original look.  He won’t recreate the exact shoe twice.

q-Take me through the process from idea to final outcome?

This one is interesting.  Rafael receives an idea or concept from his customer, he then comes up with what he will create on the spot, and will free hand draw on the shoe.  There is no turning back with Rafael’s designs.  Not only does his artistic capability come in handy, but his on the spot imagination helps create a one of a kind product.

q- What  do you use on the shoes to ensure the design stays?
For the canvus sneakers like Vans or Converse he uses fabric markers and for the leather surfaces he uses acrylic. 

q- I love the concept, What more do you want to do with your talent? Expansion with tee-shirts or additional fabrics?

Rafael told me”everyone is doing tee-shirts” he wants to stick to shoes.  He wont stop there though, he just recently started designing on leather shoes and experiments with different shoe surfaces and styles.  He is also becoming more involved including designing shoes for “Walk Now for Autism Speaks” and donating shoes to “Graffiti Beach“.

q- What if we want a pair of Brolicdesign shoes?

Rafael says to email him what you would like.  An idea, design or pictures and he will personally communicate with you from there.  Prices, shoe style, and design will all be discussed when in contact with him. EMAIL: recolon2458@brolicdesigns.com

The Brolic Design Studio- A new way to wear what you want and be as unique as your own style.

www.brolicdesigns.com

Thank you Rafael for creating a new sense of individuality and taking the time to speak with me. You can follow Rafael’s updates on Twitter and see new photos of his work on facebook.  He has done shoes for MTV, Nickelodeon, and wedding parties {Meaning, there isn’t a shoe he cannot do}.

IN addition: BROADWAYVOGUE IS GIVING AWAY A FREE PAIR OF CUSTOM BROLICDESIGN SHOES

All you have to do is visit www.brolicdesigns or tell us which design is your favorite and  leave a comment below by Wednesday June 30th, 2010.  If you retweet/facebook about the giveaway you can leave another comment saying you did so.  The winner will be choosen at random on Wednesday June 30th, 2010 at 5pm and announced the following day.  When leaving a comment be sure to leave your email address so we can get a hold of you! Good Luck!

Please note: *open to US residents only, for postage reasons. *the shoes that will be given away are the above blue & red flower slingbacks in size 7 1/2

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As always you can reach me, Jamie, at broadwayvogue@gmail.com or on twitter: @broadwayvogue

OR Rafael at recolon2458@brolicdesigns.comor on twitter: @brolicdesigns