Hand Painted Denim

Rachelle Thiewes | HUED

I’ve painted a few jackets in my life but never denim. My older brother’s leather jacket being the first. I’d painted a few band logos on it with white acrylic. The Crass comes to mind.

In more recent years, I painted the “Double Shot” jacket for my friend Justin, a photo of it resides on this website’s home page. A fun jacket to paint with much looser constraints.

So when Rachelle asked if I could paint a jacket for her to wear for the HUED show opening, I was all in!

After completing this piece, I made the decision to try and work again with denim in the future.

First, a test. This sample allowed me to see how each step would play out before starting on the actual jacket.

My favorite color.

The effect of the paint bleed is my favorite. Hidden within the jacket, when seen, provides a sharp reminder to the hand production.

The thick rough texture and the vibrant color has an appeal all its own. Reminded me of skateboarding griptape.

A stencil was used as a guide to layer in the multiple layers of yellow paint as a base to then airbrush the fade.

Another shot of the interior. How cool is that!

Rachelle Thiewes HUED Exhibition Jacket