TS: You probably get this question a lot, but a rising artist like yourself will understand why we ask. What artists have really inspired your work? SF: At different times in my life I have encountered inspirational works. It made me want to work, to create, to continue an artistic discussion with the world. Disney inspires me in its messaging, music & imagination. Other artists have made statements I have reflected upon such as Picasso, Dali, Tim Burton and Ron English. They challenge the viewer. Today, social media has allowed me to follow the works of artists of my generation like @nosego @2oceans @incarceratedjerkfaces . TS: A British artist named Banksy took New York City Streets by storm in a Month residency of Street Art. Firstly, how do you feel about his artwork and his way of branding? Secondly, Will you ever delve into the street art scene, or do you mostly work with canvas? SF: I followed Banksy’s “Better Out Than In” NYC exhibit. I find Banksy to be the Batman of our time, no one knows his true identity and he makes a positive impact on the streets. I saw the documentary “Exit Through the Gift Shop” and appreciated it. I look at the messages, the symbols, the signs and something in my mind connects with Banksy’s creativity. It is valuable messaging. I agree with street art. Coming from NYC where you are forced to see aggressive advertising, I often take pictures of street art. Their messaging is deeper than “buy me” It’s free, but valuable. Street art is not vandalism. Maybe one day I will partake in my own creative way.
TS: What artists/clients have you worked with/ for, so far? SF: For the most part I work alone. Most of my pieces live at home. Many visitors have called it a gallery. The only artists I have collaborated with are David “Vice Royed” for an on-going vector art project and Jarlyne Batista, a graphic designer. I created cover art for Izzy Man’s “Symphony”, June Pezzotti’s “HouseWarming” and RAWPoets’ “RAW Love 1 & 2”. I am currently working with Washington Heights’ music producer Frankie P on a poetic audio book project entitled “Lonely Genius Syndrome” releasing in the future. TS: We also love “Radio Tongue”. How did you get to collaborate with Viceroyed? SF: Thank you, David did an amazing job. Radio Tongue was originally a sketch made for Izzy Man’s “Symphony”. I am very fond of vector art and was looking to recreate sketches; Radio Tongue is one sketch in a sketchbook of hundreds like it. After seeing Vice Royed’s “Purped Out” and it’s progress throughout I decided to contact David.
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