Tattoo Creeper // Andrea Bolanos

Our Tattoo Creeper project is a way to collaborate with talented artists to add their spin on our creepers. We love working with creatives in any capacity & we want to see the world from their lens. To check out more of Andrea's work head to her Instagram 

Tell us about yourself and the shoe you designed:

My name is Andrea Bolanos, and I've been painting for 13 years alongside my work as an adult education teacher. My passion lies in retro and horror art.

When I got the opportunity to work with T.U.K. I decided to design boots reflecting my artistic style and childhood nostalgia, that's why I decided to go with a Beetlejuice design. The design features the iconic black and white sandworm. You can see subtle nods to the film's quirky charm and horror elements when put under a black light. I also wanted to focus on two of my favorite characters, Adam and Barbara, but with a twist. It's been a rewarding experience blending my love for art with cherished childhood memories.

How would you describe your art style?

I love all types of art, but I tend to focus on retro and horror art. With 13 years of painting experience, I enjoy capturing the nostalgic aesthetics and eerie atmospheres of these genres. Although I dabble in various styles, these themes resonate most deeply in my work.

What is your typical process when coming up with a new design? Is there a source of inspiration you tend to draw from?

Each design process is unique. For clients, I focus on their preferences. When I have creative freedom, I draw inspiration from old films and some of my favorite artists like Salvador Dalí. This mix of cinematic nostalgia and surreal artistry guides me in creating pieces that represent my style.

What is your favorite piece you’ve done and why? 

One of my favorite pieces was a pair of Vans I painted with a portrait of Frankenstein one one and His bride on the other. These shoes took a lot of patience, but the end result was exactly what I envisioned. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in the arts?

I have always been a lover of art, but I never thought I could actually create something until I was on the hunt for the perfect pair of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle shoes for my, back then, 2 year old son. After searching and not finding what I wanted, I decided to paint him a pair. My son absolutely loved them.  I posted a picture of them and I got my first three order requests from there. So I kind of fell into this hobby/career by accident. But I have loved the journey.