Lifestyle

The Art Industry’s Next Big Street and Graffiti Artist Star, Dr. Nicholas Toscano On his Dual Career Path

Published

5 years ago

May 4, 2020

Dr. Nicholas Toscano, a former decorated US Naval Dental officer and current NYC celebrity dental surgeon is no stranger to the spotlight. Dr. Toscano is currently the official dentist for roughly 25 modeling agencies in NYC and LA which include Lions, Wilhelmina, One Model Management, Marilyn, Storm, Major models, Heroes, Fusion, and others. His patients include some of the most famous models in the world including Victoria’s Secret models, Candice Swanepoel, Helena Christensen, Jasmine Tookes, Romee Strijd, Josephine Skriver. High fashion models Andreja Pejic, Vittoria Ceretti, Bambi Northwood Blyth, Greta Varlese, and other stars like Real Housewives of NYC, Sonja Morgan and Countess Luann de Lesseps. What was shocking to learn that Dr. Nicholas Toscano is also the famous street graffiti artist known as 1Penemy.

Q: How does a famous dentist and surgeon like yourself become a street graffiti artists?

A: Well that’s an interesting question, in addition to the famous models I treat in my office, I also take care of over 100 artists in NYC, Miami, and LA which include such famous artists as Bradley Theodore, Jeremy Penn, Layer Cake, Tripp Derrick Barnes, BY Flore, Producer BDB, Jason Ackerman, Alan Jeffery and many others. Over the years these artist where very generous with me not only giving me their art but also inviting me out to their shows and many became my close friend. Through their influence I developed a natural passion for the arts and decided to give it a go.

Q: How did you come up with the name 1penemy?

A: Well Street art and graffiti art is not exactly legal, so I decided to come up with a name reflective of that, the name 1Penemy stands for Number 1 public enemy.

Q: Why Mugshots of famous models as the centerpiece of your street art?

A: There is a lot to this question. I consider street art also in the spirit of Andy Warhol Pop iconic art. His art also centered on figures he hung out with on daily basis or whom he associated with. Since the majority of my dental practice involves treating some of the worlds most famous models and model agencies it was natural to center my art on Models I grew up on or treated in my practice. In 2016, I came up with my first designs of my SOHO model Line up street art of supermodels of the 90’s I grew up on and loved which are Cindy Crawford, Kate Moss, and Stephanie Seymour. The mugshot is meant to symbolize women’s struggles they have occurred throughout history. I began wheatpasting my art all over NYC and started my art instagram @1penemy profile.

Q: Why did you keep your art such a secret for so long considering your Surgical Instagram profile @drtoscanodds has 170,000 followers.

A: Well Art is balanced with science in my office with countless client-tailored artistic smile reconstructions, makeovers, and recreations. Art is a passion of mine that obviously makes sense from my surgical recreation of a patient’s smile to my street art, being artistic is in my blood. However I wanted to keep the graffiti street art part of my life a secret as I built my art brand 1Penemy which is still growing so I decided to keep my dental life separate from my street art until recently. I started my art in 2016 and from 2016 to 2020 people would take pictures next to my famous 1penemy SOHO model line street installations and they would tag my art instagram. As my art page grew so did the requests for people to buy my art.

Q: Have you sold you art?

Yes but mostly at charity auctions to benefits causes such as children’s hospitals and save arts programs in NYC. Currently any sale of my art a portion of his profit will be donated to organizations that assist in diminishing women’s struggles such as Model Alliance and the Me Too Movement. I currently have over 30 active commissions and 50 more requests.

Q: How has covid 19 and the stay at home order impacted your street art and art career?

A: It hasn’t. It actually has allowed me to step away from my busy dental practice and focus 100 percent on my art. I have enhanced my canvas work, which is mixed media and I love the use of acrylic paint. In 47 days of my lock down in New York City I have completed over 24 mixed media canvases for clients.

Lifestyle

Behind the Scenes: A Conversation with Derik Fay – Sharing Stages with Legends and becoming one

Published

1 week ago

March 27, 2025

Michelle Langton

In the bustling world of motivational speaking, where voices rise and inspire, one individual stands out: Derik Fay. Not just for his powerful messages, but for the remarkable journey that has placed him alongside some of the world’s most influential figures.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Derik Fay to delve into his experiences sharing stages with icons like Tony Robbins, Tim Grover, and a constellation of A list celebrity names.

“It’s been a surreal experience,” Fay began, a hint of awe still present in his voice. “To stand next to icons who have inspired millions, to witness their command of an audience, it’s a masterclass in itself.

Fay’s journey, as he describes it, is a blend of hard work, delusional confidence, genuine passion, and a relentless pursuit of connection.

“It’s not just about the name on the marquee,” he emphasized. “It’s about the shared energy, and the exchange of ideas. Whether it’s Kevin Hart’s comedic genius or Alex Rodriguez’s athletic drive, there’s something to learn from everyone I share the stage with.”

What struck me most during our conversation was Fay’s emphasis on authenticity. “I try to bring the same realness to the stage that I do in my online content,” he explained, referencing his popular Instagram reels and YouTube shorts.

“People connect with genuine emotion, with relatable stories. It’s about building a bridge, not just delivering a lecture.”

Fays direct, conversational style, which I’ve observed in his online content, and in our interview clearly translates to his live performances. “I’ve learned that vulnerability is a strength,” he shared. “Whether I’m talking about the challenges of fatherhood or the importance of emotional intelligence, I want people to walk away feeling seen and understood.”

Beyond the star-studded appearances, Fay sees his speaking engagements as a platform for positive change. “It’s about sharing insights that can make a real difference,” he told me.

“Whether it’s inspiring entrepreneurs to chase their dreams or helping individuals navigate difficult relationships, I want to leave a lasting impact.”

The lessons learned from sharing stages with these giants has undoubtedly shaped Fay’s approach. “I’ve absorbed so much from watching these masters at work,” he reflected. “It’s not just about the techniques, it’s about the passion, the commitment, the unwavering belief in the power of communication.”

As Derik Fay continues to grace stages around the globe, one thing is clear: his journey is a testament to the power of authentic connection and the enduring influence of shared experiences. And with each event, the legacy of these moments continues to grow, leaving an indelible mark on both the speaker and the audience.