COLORWAYS OF HOME
ETHAN SHOBE
INTRO
This book is a showcase of two different worlds colliding. A combination of my love for shoe design and the culture of my home. Growing up in a small town in Montana, you’re surrounded by the outdoors. With that, I was exposed to and grew up with its culture. Although I was surrounded by this culture, I also had a passion for shoes like Nike. I wanted to join two of the things that have really influenced me and others as I have grown up.
BROWN TROUT AIR FORCE 1
INSPIRED BY
Montana’s pristine rivers and streams are home to some of the most beautiful and elusive trout in the world, including the brown trout. Brown trout are known for their size and fighting spirit, and they can be found in many of Montana’s rivers and streams, including
the Yellowstone, Madison, and Bighorn rivers. They are wary fish that can be challenging to catch, but with the right technique and gear, anglers can experience the thrill of landing a trophy-sized brown trout. Chasing Browns was alaways memorable. The
experience of having a brown strike your fly is one of the best you can have and the colors of this shoe are the flashes of one coming to the serface of the water.
ELK HUNT AIR MAX
90
INSPIRED BY
Elk hunting in Montana is a challenging and rewarding experience that provides hunters with the opportunity to explore the state’s vast wilderness areas and connect with its rich natural heritage. In addition to providing a thrilling and challenging
outdoor adventure, elk hunting in Montana plays an important role in wildlife management and conservation. Hunting helps to control the elk population, prevent overgrazing and habitat destruction, and ensure a healthy and sustainable
population of elk for future generations. This shoe is a picture of the many different colors involved with a hunt.
RODEO JORDAN 1
INSPIRED BY
Montana is well-known for its rugged landscapes, rich history, And cowboy culture. One of the most popular events that embody this culture is the rodeo. Rodeos in Montana are more than just a sport or entertainment, they are a way of life and a celebration of the
state’s western heritage. They are a must-see for anyone interested in Western culture or looking for an exciting and authentic experience. Whether you’re a seasoned rodeo fan or a first-time spectator, you’re sure to be impressed by the athleticism, courage,
and sheer entertainment of Montana’s rodeos. The clouds of dust on the shoes show the electric scenes of one of the many exciting events a rodeo has to offer.
SALMON FLY HUARACHE
INSPIRED BY
Montana is renowned for its fly fishing opportunities, and the salmon fly hatch is a major event for anglers from all over the world. The rivers and streams in Montana, such as the Yellowstone, Madison, and Big Hole Rivers, provide some of the best salmon fly fishing
in the country. Fly fishing with a salmon fly is just one of the many outdoor activities that draw visitors to this part of the country. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner, fishing with a salmon fly in Montana is an experience that you won’t
forget. This shoe was designed to simulate the process of tying a salmon fly, hoping that it’ll catch the eye of a hungry fish.
BITTER ROOT
JORDAN 11
INSPIRED BY
The Bitterroot flower is a beautiful and symbolic wildflower that is native to Montana. It is the state flower of Montana and is cherished for its vibrant color and hardy nature. The Bitterroot flower has a rich history in Montana, as it was an important food
source for Native American tribes. The flower was harvested and dried for winter use, and it was often mixed with other foods or used as a flavoring. It blooms in late spring or early summer, producing clusters of showy pink or white flowers with
yellow centers. With that being said, the colorway of this shoe embodies all the beauty that this flower has to offer.
GLACIER PARK
AIR MAX 270
INSPIRED BY
Glacier National Park located in Montana’s Northern Rocky Mountains is a stunning national park known for its rugged mountains, pristine lakes, and diverse wildlife. The park covers over one million acres and is home to more than 130 named lakes, over 1,000
species of plants, and a variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, mountain goats, and moose. The park’s most iconic feature is its namesake glaciers, which were formed during the last ice age and continue to shape the landscape today. There are
currently 26 glaciers remaining in the park. The Blues and greens that color this shoe take the place of the breathtaking lakes and vegetation.
MEADOW LARK
ROSHE
INSPIRED BY
In Montana, the Western Meadowlark is a treasured symbol of the state’s natural beauty, heritage, and resilience. Its sweet song and stunning appearance are a reminder of the importance of protecting and preserving Montana’s diverse wildlife and habitats.
Despite its popularity, the Western Meadowlark faces a number of threats, including habitat loss, climate change, and agricultural practices. Conservation efforts are underway to protect the bird and its habitat, and Montana residents and visitors can help
by supporting these efforts and learning more about the bird’s behavior and habitat requirements. The yellow and brown of the shoe show the staggering colors of the Meadowlark.
HUCKLE BERRY AIR MAX 1
INSPIRED BY
Huckleberries are a staple of Montana’s cuisine and culture, and they have been used in everything from pies and jams to syrups and sauces. Montana even celebrates a Huckleberry Festival every August, where visitors can sample a variety of huckleberry products and
participate in activities like huckleberry picking contests. The berries would turn your hands purple while picking them because you couldn’t help but eat them. With that being said, this shoe needed to have purple in it. Looking down the side of a mountain
in the summer, you will see green bushes littered with little purple dots. This shoe is a dedication to the berries that created so many memories with friends and family.
COLD SMOKE
JORDAN 4
INSPIRED BY
Montana is known for its majestic mountains and stunning landscapes, making it an ideal destination for skiing enthusiasts. With a variety of world-class ski resorts, Montana offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding experiences in the United States. Growing
up in Montana made it very easy to find mountains that someone could ski or snowboard down. Cold Smoke is a term that comes from skiing. It is the airy trail of powder that follows skiers in fresh powder and that is what the colorway of this shoe
shows. The smokey powder speaks for itself. The Blue is a nod to those bluebird days on the hill. The Red and teal are the different ski gear that lights up the bare white snow.
OUTRO
This book was made from my creativity and passion along with a combination of different programs. I used Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Fresco, and Indesign for the shoes themselves. For the text, I took paragraphs from a prompt that I would give an AI and then added my own words as well. Using AI was an experiment to test its capabilities. Overall the process of creating this book was a lot of fun and gave me an opportunity to create things that I enjoy. -
Ethan Shobe