In anticipation of the iconic Air Jordan 1 Bred launch we tasked select members of the Community to reinterpret iconic images of MJ. We speak to one of the artists – CJCreates – as she breaks down her love for the craft and for sneakers.
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Chapter-Jane, but I go by CJCreates—because creating is what I do. Whether it’s painting, sketching, clay modeling, rug making, or digital art, I love exploring different mediums and pushing my creativity in new ways. If it involves making something, I’ve probably tried it. By day, I’m a Social Media Coordinator at Goodnotes, but outside of that, I’m always working on my next artistic project.
What was it like growing up in East London? What were people wearing?
Growing up in East London had its challenges, especially as a creative. It often felt like there weren’t many opportunities for artists, and not enough people were openly expressing their creativity, which made it harder to connect with like-minded individuals in the art space. But one thing that was easy to connect over was sneakers. Whether at events or just out and about, you’d see every type of Jordan imaginable. The Jordan 1s and 4s were the rave, but I loved seeing the 3s finally get the love they deserve. Bonding over sneakers became such a fun and natural way to meet people.
We know you are a very creative person and practice through many mediums. Tell us more—what inspired you?
Believe it or not, my biggest inspiration was Art Attack. Watching Neil Buchanan create so many different things sparked something in me. I didn’t always have the resources to imitate what I saw, but that only made me more determined to be hands-on and create with whatever I had. Art became my way to relax and de-stress, whether at school or in my free time. Then, when I started getting commissions, I realized this could be more than just a hobby. My ultimate goal is to work for myself and create 24/7—doing what I love every day.
We hear you’re a basketball fan, which ultimately got you into trainers. Tell us about this journey.
I’ve always loved the NBA, and as a Celtics fan, I was fascinated by how players used their sneakers as a form of self-expression on the court—especially since they all wear the same kit. Of course, when it comes to basketball, Michael Jordan is that guy, so it only made sense to check out his shoes. When I first saw Jordans, I thought they looked incredible, and back then, they weren’t nearly as hard to get as they are now. As I started collecting, I found myself becoming part of the sneaker community—commenting under Offspring posts, connecting with other collectors, and even getting random DMs from people wishing me luck on raffles just because I had commented about wanting a pair. It’s such a cool space to be in, where everyone shares the same passion.
Like community, you’ve mentioned family is just as important, and we know your mum is your biggest supporter. Tell us more.
My mum is a single mother who raised both me and my sister, and like anyone else, my biggest mission is to make her proud and eventually be the one to take care of her. Seeing how hard she’s worked has always pushed me to do the same. Being a creative comes with its struggles—trying out new things isn’t always cheap—but she’s always seen my potential. No matter what, she’s sacrificed whatever she could to help me explore my creative side, and that support means everything to me.
So, MJ—the man himself. How did you come across him?
Michael Jordan has always been an icon. Even before I knew I loved collecting sneakers or started watching basketball, I just always knew about him—probably through the media and just how big his name was. When I got into trainers, Jordans were the go-to for everyone, right after Air Maxes and Air Forces. That’s what led me to really look into who MJ was and why he was so legendary. Later, as my love for basketball grew, I truly understood the impact he had—not just on the sport but on culture as a whole
We love that we’re transitioning this conversation to skateboarding. Oddly for some, the worlds of basketball and skate have merged in this story. A lot of skaters in the '80s and '90s adopted the AJ1 as a skate shoe, and there are amazing images of people darting around a skate bowl in them. You’ve created an incredible piece on a board—why skateboards?
It was actually my friend Kai who suggested I try painting on skateboards. One day, I was talking about wanting to get back into painting, but I didn’t love working on canvases—they just felt too common to me. The moment he mentioned skateboards, I was sold. I don’t think I’ve ever bought equipment so quickly! When I painted my first Jujutsu Kaisen-inspired deck, I knew I had found my niche. Plus, the skateboarding community is so cool—it’s been amazing to merge my love for art with such a unique and expressive culture.
Have you gotten on a board (in your Jordan 1s, of course), or are you sticking to painting them?
LOL, I’m definitely sticking to painting them! I love trying new things, but there’s a limit sometimes. I’ll leave the actual skating to the pros and just focus on making the boards look good.
From your creative standpoint and as someone obsessed with detail, what are your thoughts on the AJ1 Bred coming back? We know the Jordan team has worked meticulously on every detail to bring this shoe as close to the original as possible. What’s your feeling on this?
The sneaker community has grown so much over the last decade, and with so many new people in the game, owning an original pair of Jordan 1 Breds has become almost impossible—unless you’re willing to pay an arm and a leg. Seeing them come back is such a great opportunity for collectors to finally add them to their rotation. And for Michael Jordan fans who watched him wear these on the court, it’s an incredible chance to have that same iconic pair on their feet.
The Jordan 1 has been a canvas for many collaborators—whether through fashion with Virgil and Dior or even athletes like Nigel Sylvester. What is it about the Jordan 1 that draws everyone in?
The Jordan 1s were truly the first of their kind, with a unique silhouette that has since inspired so many other sneaker brands. What’s amazing about them is that they offer so much space on the shoe, which gives collaborators the freedom to create their own designs and really express their style. The versatility of the design allows for endless possibilities, making it a canvas for creativity.
Finally, what does community mean to you?
To me, community means the ability to connect with people you might not usually cross paths with in your day-to-day life. For example, being part of the gaming or sneaker communities has allowed me to engage with people from all walks of life, of all ages and backgrounds. As you get older, it can be harder to make new friends, but being in a community where so many people relate to a shared interest makes you feel less alone.
Check out more from CJ on Instagram @CJCREATES__
