LEXINGTON, Ky - If you had to think about the height of shoe fashion your mind probably wanders to Paris or New York, or maybe even a lab at Nike headquarters.
What if we told you the world’s foremost athletes and entertainers can’t wait to get their hands on a pair of shoes that have been worked on by one man in his 40s living right in Lexington?
Billy Hobbs has loved art and sneakers as long as he can remember. In 2012, he was able to quick his job thanks to a booming business making wearable art for people.
His list of celebrity projects includes A-list professional athletes like Albert Pujols and former UK basketball players, as well as musicians like Paul McCartney, Thomas Rhett, and Snoop Dogg.
“Customized sneakers, basketballs; you name it, I’ll paint it,” Hobbs laughed, sitting in his basement studio. “Of all the shoes I’ve done I’ve had a pretty good track record with it. For the most part everybody loves the end product.”
Billy does projects for everyday people too, and says he has completed thousands of pairs that have traveled all over the country. But you’ll have to wait for your one-of-a-kind wearable art, as his waiting list is at least eight weeks long right now.