Before you throw out your old Nike's the next time, think again. Kanaka's Kicka** Krafts is here to knock you off your feet! Rhaneesha Raj aka Kanaka, an aspiring artist, paints new life to old shoes (or new ones). This Mass Communications (Journalism) at Taylor's also does cellphones, walls, practically anything with a surface. Whatever the design you desire, she draws! Get yourself "Kanaka-ed"!

Sitting at Burger King standing out from the crowd with her eccentric goth/hippie apparel, Kanaka, 20, shares with us how it all started out for her and where she plans to go with the talent she has.

Q: What is Kanaka's Kicka** Krafts all about and when did you get started?
A: It's all about what I can do with your things. My passion is art, but I don't like creating something; I'd rather modify it, and make it better.
I was a student, so I was constantly broke. So, I started doing this. Over time, it became less about the money and more about the passion; the more I did it, the more I fell in love with it.

Q: Have you always had a knack for art? Or is it something you developed over the years?
A: I took up photography first; I couldn't even draw a proper line. Art came to me gradually.

Q: What are some of the challenges you face in your work?
A: Finding inspiration. Unlike a behind-the-desk job, art depends on inspiration and sometimes you just wake up uninspired and not having the mood to paint, but there's a client waiting for the artwork.

Q: What kind of medium do you use for your art pieces?
A: Well, all the paint that I use is waterproof Acrylic Paint, Spray Paints, Waterproof Markers, Waterproof 0.2mm Pen, and coated with a Glue Seal and Lacquer.

Q: What are the prices you charge?
A: Some prices are negotiable; it all depends on the design and the amount of high quality art materials that go through in the making of these pieces. However, the standard price range for shoes is RM40 to RM60, and for cellphones, RM30 to RM50. Re-painting damaged items will cost according to the extent of the damage.

Q: How long does the designing procedure usually take?
A: It would take about 2 to 3 weeks, but there can be delays. You can't rush art, after all.

Q: Where do you get your source of inspiration?
A: It could be from a good song or movie. I could be listening to a song for a bit, wake up and start painting. Sometimes I listen to a song while painting and it could be clearly reflect in my works...

Q: Name an inspirational song on your music player.
A: The Shout Out Louds- Impossible.

Q: What is your motto in life?
A: I follow the Kanaka Kicka** Krafts tagline, "Stop having a boring shoe; stop having a boring life".

Q: Any future plans in mind?
A: One thing I've learned is to treat your passion as a hobby and not a job because if it becomes all about the money, you lose interest over time.