Meet Curtis Johnson | Artist, Creative, & Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Curtis Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Curtis, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Larry Bird said God “disguised” Himself as Michael Jordan the night Mike scored 63 points in Boston Garden. I believe God also disguises Himself as ideas. What we choose to do with those ideas upon their arrival to our consciousness is up to us. How those ideas are used ultimately determines impact. Purpose.

Since the inception of the tennis shoe, many are noted as historical artifacts that played a significant role in shifting design, culture, and life as we experience. Though Jordans are more than shoes. They transcend sports, fashion, language even. The global basketball community, hip-hop, entertainers, artists, nonconformist, and trendsetters, alike, galvanize around these shoes. These communities saw that the shoes represented something different and as badly as the old world fought to silence them, the new world fought harder to give them a mic and platform. The new world saw originality, authenticity, individuality amongst community, and change. Change of the game.

For me, this project has been a “manifestation of God.” It has been a long time coming, especially for the kid in me who has dreamed of being a shoe designer since my days of painting Air Force 1s in middle school. Back when folks had their shoes airbrushed.

The linoleum print making process of this project has literally been a part of me since I created a lino cut of a picture of my mom in high school. Upon graduation, I immortalized the image and anytime I explain my tattoos, I share the lino cut process.

That’s one reason why, in this case, I felt the rarity of enjoying the work I choose to make. From idea to execution, it’s a form of praise, combining all aspects of inspiration. Me, and you, your momma, and your cousin too (s/o to OutKast) are all references to the inspiration of sneaker culture. Regardless of the collection owned or overall affection, regardless of the style or brand, there’s a connection to each pair of shoes one has.

My personality is part of this work, as well. Much of my art is attached to my giving love languages which are spending quality time with the people I love and giving gifts. The birth of this project is an an example. A couple friends, Tanner and Jewlz, and me gifted a pair of the AJ1 ‘Origin Story’ to mutual friend, Rob, for his birthday. Rob also shares the day of celebration with his son. We say the shoes were for Rob’s toddler son, but we all know the truth. At this moment in time the shoes don’t mean much to the little man, but the sneakers have now become a family heirloom and story for father and son. I also gifted his son the first ever print, “Spider-Mac.”

Creating stories and moments like these are rooted in the why for me as an artist. It’s what molded my mission to make “original art that has an exclusive draw to it, it’s what we all want, it’s what we all are. With art, particularly art involving sneakers, I see the rendering of silhouettes with lines and shapes translate to the destinations of personal stories that are tied to them. Ultimately this effort, inspired by the Divine, is meant to authentically bridge the Fine Art and sneaker communities (two communities of my identity) along with others weaved into the cultures of both.

Every sole in this project is original. The paint from each linoleum print doesn’t mark the canvas like the last or the next. Each print is its own. Singular, just like the first steps or the last steps and the ones taken all in between when you lace up your pair. Or the pair desired, releasing soon, unlikely to be purchased, or bonded to dreams and nightmares. No one can replicate the story of the miles traveled in yours and the significance to your moments of glory; in victory or defeat.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Much of my work is me. Whether it’s a self-portrait, abstract landscape, or the soles of sneakers, there’s always something personal woven into the concept. Identity, masks, perception, confrontation, and one’s response to color are things important about the work I produce.

In self-portraits, by presenting myself and my blackness, I mask and reveal different emotional states that help make up my identity and its performance due to preconceived notions. How one perceives something to be true based on assumption and confronting issues that get swept under the rug about history and conflicts about race is mostly found in my works. Color is important and relaying various meanings about color and their effect on viewers is a key component as well. I believe my work observes, dissects and scrutinizes ideas of America’s cultural heritage through one’s personal experiences that informs a collected identity. My aim is to communicate personal feelings, emotions, and outlook on me both internally and externally through figurative works.

My approach to abstraction is fueled by different experiences of emotion and using color, texture, and dimension to emphasize a moment or reaction to one.

To maintain my artistic integrity with works of soles, I vow to always own the pair or at least a version/colorway of the shoe model in my personal collection.

Professionally, I’m an educator. And honestly, somehow art lead me to the industry. Education is art for me, so it seems. It’s just a different medium than graphite and ink or acrylics and oils. I’m able to curate different experiences and still create the conversations I intend to. I’m doing the same research, using the same discipline in my approach, just in a different space or rather, studio.

No, it’s not easy but the youth keeps me inspired.

As for what I want the world to know about me or my brand, I’m still learning more about myself and as I continue this journey, I hope there’s some connection to a shared experience in this life or the next.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Aight bet – so, food. In the city, definitely have to have J.R. Crickets (go see my family at the Lovejoy location). Of course, depending on my mood I’m going with the lemon pepper or hot with lemon pepper sprinkle but the “Dirty Bird” also hits. Speaking of the Dirty Birds, Mercedes Benz Stadium is a must whether it’s the Falcons, Atlanta United, or another event, the atmosphere is extra live; especially with the roof open. Can always visit Little 5 Points and find something to appreciate, whether it’s more food like a burger from Vortex or milkshake from Zesto’s. Many of my friends love shopping for more clothing and shoes, so we’d need to stop through Wish while in the Little 5 area. Head to EA Village to see Versus ATL, and holla at my guy Leo, then other spots for the itinerary are GoodTimes ATL and A Ma Maniere. Monday Night Garage is a necessary stop. Back to more food – if it’s not Waffle House, then Highland Bakery or Delia’s for the grit bowl. As for more to do, it would really depend on what the move is or what my friend wanted to do. There’s so much to experience in Atlanta and even more developing.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without a doubt, my brother, Taylor. When I told him about the idea for Marked Sole, his first question was “how much do you need?” My family Miya and Warren – Lord knows! Definitely have to show love to the notorious text threads of Da Mountain Bruhz, Sewanee SportsCenter, Billionaire Boys Club (DB and Whit), Broken Necks Crew and all others who listened, inspired, and encouraged. Grateful for a core community of support. Titi, wya? Cooks! *music plays* I appreciate the wisdom of Osei The Creative helping me iron out some things. This project would also not even be possible without the collaborations with my big bro Fred Rhodes, then my bro Myles J. M. is really the GOAT, and shoutout to the Fresh Kicks Fridays group – Mac, Dutch, and Cactus Patt. *music plays louder* Juice – appreciate the love man, you purchased one of the first customs! Kalen pulled up! Aye Quent, box seats! *mic cuts off*

Chaz, what’s next?

Website: artcujo.com

Instagram: onecujo