Sneakers and Skateboards as Artwork

ST. PETERSBURG – 1 of 1 Customs is a pioneer downtown in the emerging arts scene.

Custom, hand-painted items, from sneakers to skateboards, are grabbing attention locally and nationally.

Tampa Bay Rays' players are among 1 of 1's loyal fans. Owner-artist Jesse Kiebzak and artist Rasta Taylor get personal requests for original apparel and artwork.

The two define the word original with every piece they complete. Find 1 of 1 Customs online at www.1of1customs.com  or in St. Pete at 659 Central Avenue.

Jesse Kiebzak sat down with Patch and answered some questions about their unconventional business:

Q. What exactly is 1 of 1 Customs, exactly? Art store? A merchandise shop?

A. 1 of 1 Customs is place where people of all ages can get any item they want handpainted with anything they want painted on it. Items like footwear, shirts, hats, skateboards, wood pieces, canvas, purses, belts and much, much more.

Q. How did the idea for your company evolve?

A. Rasta Taylor has always been an amazing artist and always painted a variety of things (walls, chairs, canvas). Many years ago his friend asked him to paint a pair of sneakers for him. He was taken by the idea and that’s how the whole “painting shoes” idea started. We wanted to open our store because we started to see a need for a custom, original look. We had to be available to the masses and spread the word on all that we could do. We chose to open our store on the 600 Block because of its potential and the other great artists on the block.

Q. What services do you offer?

A. We primarily handpaint everything with the finest materials. All of our handpainted clothing is machine washable and the footwear is coated and protected from the elements as well.

Q. When did 1 of 1 Customs open?

A. We opened our doors on May 8^th of 2010. We are opening a second gallery right next door, on the first Friday in October: the 7th to be exact. We hope to see a lot of new and old faces to come down and enjoy the grand opening.

Q. What are some of the more unusual orders you get?

A: We have done work for numerous Rays players, including custom bowling shoes for BJ Upton for his charity event; a custom tie for Todd Kalas to commemorate/remember his father; a shirt for David Price in honor of his best friend who passed away. We also painted David Price a canvas of Astro and Elroy from the Jetsons (his dog's name is Astro based on the character).

Q. What else do you sell besides custom-painted apparel?

A. Whatever paint will adhere to, we do! We have custom-painted a motorcycle, skate boards, helmets, bicycles, bodies, windows, walls, canvas, paintball gun, tiles for floors, cameras, and I'm sure there’s more!

Q. Do you host special events?

A: We will be opening our new Gallery at 657 Central Ave the first Friday in October. It is called “1 Love.” It will be inspired by 1 of 1 and will have many different types of custom canvas, wood, earrings, purses and much more. We are also the only retailer in the USA to be carrying Basquiat Couture. In honor of the late and great artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. We have the opportunity and the space to host events in an amazing environment/art gallery. If anyone is interested and needs an amazing place to host their own event, please contact us!

Q. What's the craziest order you've ever received?

A. The craziest request we have received was a custom, wood chair that a man wanted his wife painted on. He wanted her painted on the chair in a sitting position so she would always be sitting next to him. It's not so much that it's crazy, but it was a tough job and it was something we had never heard of before.