Melissa Cook aka Unique B Real is a 21 year old artist located in Canton, Ohio. Unique specializes in custom painted apparel and sneakers, which she has been doing for over 4 years now, along with graphic design and writing. I recently collaborated with her on my most recent project “Mac Dre Nike Dunks (High)”, which you can see by clicking here. Anyways Melissa has agreed to do an interview for GrahamPhisher.com, so first off thanks for taking the time to fill out these questions and all that.

Unique: Thanks for taking the time to do this interview with me!

Graham: Growing up has art been a significant part of your life?

Unique: Yes. Growing up I always had a very crazy, artistic mind. Always drawing pictures and painting.

Graham: What originally sparked your interest in creating custom painted kicks?

Unique: There’s this movie titled, ‘Rock Fresh’, and about half way into the movie, the artist was painting sneakers. I was so ecstatic that I had to try it myself. I had never seen anything like it, since no one was doing that where I’m from. From that day, I was interested, I still watch that movie to gain inspiration.

Graham: Who or what are some of your main inspirations for your work?

Unique: I’m a fan of Andy Warhol’s pop art, the colors he used in his work and Picasso. Graffiti street art and Hip-Hop culture really inspires me. The different graffiti characters and abstract that’s involved.

Graham: Whats the main genre of music you listen to when your working?

Unique: I mainly listen to Hip-Hop, or underground Hip-Hop for that matter. It gives me this boost and puts my mind in a different dimension.

Graham: Do you have any sort of process that you go through before working?

Unique: I clean the shoes with acetone, mask off any parts I don’t want paint on.

Graham: What do you do when your not working on any projects?

Unique: I usually surf the net to find inspiration, draw, video games (when I have time), tv. Anything art related.

Graham: Do you plan or wish to branch out into any other forms of art?

Unique: Yes, it’s funny because I was talking about this with a friend of mine. I want to get into clay art, wood carving and construction such as building things.

Graham: What advice do you have to offer to any beginner customizers?

Unique: I would say be patient, it takes time to really be where you want to be, and that’s anything in life. I mean, when I first started, I wasn’t the best. And also do your research as well on what tools and paint to use.

Graham: Where has your work been featured at?

Unique: It’s been featured in a boutique store in San Diego, which is no longer up and running anymore. Many forum sites.

Graham: What are some of your goals for your career in the future?

Unique: I would like to branch off to a bigger city, and to expand in different avenues of art such as starting a clothing line. Illustrating my designs as well.

Graham: What are some of your favorite art related or whatever sites?

Unique: I like a lot of sneaker sites, for some reason they give me inspiration such as pickyourshoes.com and of course grahamphisher.com as well. uptowns.net is another one and artst.com

Graham: We had this conversation before I think, but for the readers how do you feel about “Art School”?

Unique: Well, art school is good if you want to learn different mediums of art that you’re not familiar with. But I feel if art comes naturally to you then you shouldn’t go, it would be a waste of time if you’re THAT good in that field. I never took classes to learn anything I’m doing.

Graham: On your bio it says you like to have a drink every now and then, anything specific?

Unique: A drink? lol Wow, I don’t remember it saying that. I mean I don’t drink rarely, but if it’s something it would be Hypnotiq, Bacardi or Smirnoff. But like I said, it’s very rare I drink. Mainly pop, juice or water. lol

Graham: How do you feel about the current state of the music industry?

Unique: (sigh) music, wow! Everyone is different and likes different types of music, but I feel it’s too overrated with what artists talk about in their music. Everyone is copying off of the same people. It all sounds the same to me. I usually like underground or unsigned artists for me, old school hip-hop. I wish radios would play underground music instead of giving props to artists that are known all over the world. It’s only fair to give them a boost when they’re struggling trying to make it. But if you talk about certain things in music it won’t get played on the radio or you won’t get signed. It’s sad but money, sex, cars, material things sell and most people want to hear that and also constantly rapping about being in the club too is a major YES in the industry. But if it’s opposite than it won’t get any airplay.

You can check out more of Unique’s work at the following links,

myspace.com/blaqueartz
twitter.com/uniquedesigns
facebook.com/uniquebreal
uniquebreal.deviantart.com
youtube.com/coolnerd1989