Michael Martinez

Artist Story

Michael Martinez doesn’t really tell his story like a “brand origin.” It reads more like a plot twist.

Back in Keyport, New Jersey, Michael was recovering from back surgery, stuck in bed with time to kill and a screen to scroll. Somewhere in that downtime, he stumbled across custom sneakers online—and instead of watching from the sidelines, he started studying. Process, paint, prep, finish… step by step, he taught himself the craft right there while he was laid up. What started as a rabbit hole turned into a mission, and once he got moving again, he never looked back.

That drive became KingMidas Customs—and it’s been building ever since. Michael’s been creating since 2008, stacking experience through real work and real moments: the thrill of his first commission, the surreal feeling of seeing his sneakers show up on an NFL field, and a milestone he calls his proudest—being named to the CANVVS Top 100.

At the core, Michael is a custom paint artist, but he’s not staying in one lane. He’s currently sharpening new skills—learning sewing now, with plans to move into reconstruction work in the near future. The evolution is intentional: bigger builds, deeper craftsmanship, more ways to bring an idea to life.

And ideas are the point. Michael’s style is all about themes. He doesn’t just paint a shoe—he builds a concept. A movie. A genre. A character. He does the research, pulls references, and designs with purpose, like each pair is a wearable scene.

Ask him what he’s proud of and he’ll tell you it’s hard to pick—he’s done well over 100 unique customs in just the last few years. But if you want two that stand out, he’ll point to his latest creation, the “Terrifier” Jordan, and a personal favorite that still holds weight: the Kobe portrait Air Force 1.

Services

Right now, Michael is taking on commissions—both true 1/1 custom work, and requests for previous designs people want brought back. He also offers business and corporate customs, which fits his strength: making a concept feel official.

Booking

Booking him is simple. He’s active across socials as @kingmidascustoms, and his home base online is Kingmidascustoms.com. And if you really want his attention? He says he also responds to the Bat Signal. 😉

Concept Previews

Images are concept visuals used for customer previews—dialing in layout, color placement, and the theme before the build begins.

Featured Project: “Terrifier” Jordans

Images showcase Michael’s latest creation: the “Terrifier” Jordan—built to feel cinematic, gritty, and unmistakably theme-driven.

Featured Project: Kobe Portrait Air Force 1

Images feature a personal favorite: the Kobe portrait Air Force 1—a tribute piece with clean layout, bold contrast, and portrait detail.

Why Sponsorship

When it comes to sponsorship, Michael’s reason is personal—and confident. He says the partnership clicked fast after just one conversation with Shawn. He respects the vision, the humility, and the direction of the brand. And as for the products? In his words: “best thing on the market, hands down.”

Find Michael / KingMidas Customs