SNEAK.ART.EL
June 17, 2026
Interview by: Nick Supernova
Who is SNEAK.ART.EL beyond the name—what does the alias represent to you?
I am Rafael, an illustrator and sneakerhead originally from Brazil but based in Spain. The name represent 2 passions of mine combined - sneakers and art. But, the word “cartel” in spanish means “poster”, so it also contains a wordplay.
When did you first realize art was more than just a hobby?
When people started to say it was. I am insecure about my art and even calling my illustrations “art” is strange to me. So, unfortunately I had to have outside affirmations so I can take my work seriously.
What were your earliest influences—both inside and outside of sneaker culture?
Pharrell Williams is my all time hero and influence. The man and his music inspires me so much until this day.
How did your environment growing up shape your artistic voice?
I am not sure. But probably my hood growing up. I lived most of my life in the ghettos of São Paulo, my hometown in Brazil, and graffiti and tags were everywhere.
Walk us through your creative process from idea to finished piece.
It really depends, but since most of my work involves sneakers, I start with the model that I want to draw and I look for the story behind the pair and what it tells me so I can do some research. I always try to do a cool background that complement the kick’s story.
What tools (digital or physical) are essential to your workflow?
iPad. It gives me freedom to work wherever I take it.
How do you know when a piece is “done”?
When I feel it looks good. Sometimes I have 2 or 3 versions of the same piece that I can’t decide which one will be the one I post. So I ask my wife. She got better taste than I.
What’s the most experimental piece you’ve created so far?
I think the poster I did for the Air Max 1 x Patta inspired by Vicent Van Gogh was totally different from everything I have ever done. And it looks awesome.
What is it about sneakers that makes them such a powerful canvas for you?
I do it for sneakerheads. When they look at my posters I want to give them almost the same feeling when they see their favourite pair on their hands.
Are there specific silhouettes or brands you gravitate toward?
The Air Max 1 is my favourite. Hands down. But New Balance is putting out so much great sneakers right now. The collabs with Salehe Bembury and Action Bronson go hard.
How do you balance respecting the original design vs. reinventing it?
I always try to respect the original because I do it for me and other sneakerheads.
What’s your take on the current state of sneaker culture—what excites you, and what feels overdone?
I like what is going on right now because sneakerheads are engaged. All these retros being released has been the talk for almost 2 years now and I feel like it’s kinda a way to make the culture pulse. One thing that brands have to stop doing is collabs with celebrities. Enough of that.
Your work often blends lifestyle and culture—what stories are you trying to tell?
I am not trying to tell anything, actually. But one thing that I do try to do is to make people react to my pieces. From a smurk to a “oh shit, that’s dope!” Lol.
How important is storytelling in your art compared to aesthetics?
Not that important, yet. I feel like I am still trying to figure it out.
Do you create more for yourself or with an audience in mind?
Myself, always. Everytime I put my audience in mind first I regret it.
How has the digital space (IG, NFTs, etc.) impacted your growth as an artist?
It inspired me to try to grow but most of all it made me insecure. You can access a lot on those platforms and feel like you’re not doing enough.
What strategies have helped you build and engage your audience?
Just design a lot and hope for the best.
Do you think artists today need to be marketers as much as creators?
If they want money, yes! But they shouldn’t have to.
How do you stand out in such a saturated digital art space?
I think I stand out because there’s not a lot of artists for my niche.
What’s been your favorite collaboration so far, and why?
I did a puzzle/crosswords game art for Footlocker in Spain for an lifestyle event. I still cant believe my logo was side by side to Footlocker’s.
Is there a dream brand or artist you want to work with?
Salehe Bembury is my favorite sneaker designer right now. The main thing that I love about his work it’s concept. It all comes from nature and humans.
What do you look for in a collaboration to make it feel authentic?
The love or admiration has to come from both sides.
What’s been the biggest obstacle in your journey so far?
To make money lol. And evolve.
Have you ever dealt with creative burnout? How do you push through it?
I have never ever. When I am tired I can’t create.
What’s something you had to unlearn to grow as an artist?
I dont know, but I love to do things the same way forever. So, sometimes I try to do it differently to see how my brain reacts.
how do you see your work contributing to sneaker and art culture?
I have a poster of the Pigeons Dunk signed by Jeff Staple. I met him 3 years ago at Sneakerness Budapest.
Do you feel a responsibility to represent or push culture forward?
A little bit. But not always because I am still a “nobody” on this large culture.
What does “legacy” mean to you at this stage?
I want sneakerheads to look at their walls and have a piece of SNEAK.ART.EL in there.
Where do you see SNEAK.ART.EL in the next 2–3 years?
To be honest, probably in the same place. I am thinking about doing something else and put SNEAK.ART.EL as a side project. For sneakerheads only.
Are there new mediums or directions you want to explore?
Woodworking and maybe clothing.
What’s one project you haven’t done yet that you need to bring to life?
I want to do a book about “Sneakers and Sex”, the project that I illustrate couples in their “private” moments with kicks still on. And I have a dark idea for a very long time about sneakerheds in bad situations. Like a suicide scene involving sneakers. Kinda like the Heaven’s Gate case.
Visit the SNEAK.ART.EL online store HERE