We caught up with Philadelphia’s quintessential multi-tasking, creative juggler, Stacey Wilson, to chat with her a bit about her numerous successful projects in such categories as visual arts and graphics design, promotions and events planning, and still more. She has set Philly ablaze with her fresh graffiti inspired style.

Among some of her most impressive achievements: Stacey’s art has decorated the walls of MTV’s, The Real World Philadelphia house, as well as UPN’s (now the CW) show, Half & Half. Her work is also featured in Grammy award winner artist Jill Scott’s book of poetry, The Moments, the Minutes, and the Hours.

This woman is proving to be an unstoppable force on so many levels. She has already taken Philadelphia by storm and by our estimation the rest of the world will soon follow; better hold on to your hats. She’ll definitely blow you away!

FMCS: What’s up Stacey? How’s life? Busy I would guess from the amount of projects you’re holding down? Do you get any down time at all?

Stacey: Some. My day is pretty much go to the storefront around 10am, plan parties, promote, and knock out lots of graphic design, leave about 6, go to tae-bo, go home bout 8:30, draw a bit, paint a bit, get back on the computer and chill.

But because I love what I’m doing, I don’t look at it like I have no time to chill. I’m very fortunate to be able to live off of being creative!

FMCS: Tell us…Are you originally from Philadelphia? Or if not, from where do you hail? How much do you think your city of origin plays into the style of your art?

Stacey: I grew up in the burbs of Philly. I graduated high school and moved straight to 10th and spruce to my first apartment and went to college. I think the city has a huge part in who I am and how I got here. I think if I stayed in the suburbs I’d be married with kids or something. I always wanted more than that. Don’t get me wrong, I love my relationship and marriage and kids are wonderful, but I needed to live a little first and explore more than a 9-5 job. And here I am.

FMCS: I love the fact that your work depicts universal themes such as love, music, friendship, sisterhood… do you draw your inspiration from everyday life? What objects, people, emotions…Inspire you?

Stacey: Women inspire me. People inspire me. Music inspires me. Culture inspires me. A lot of my pieces are of things that create a spark in me. Women are so strong and beautiful and can carry inspiring style. It’s a great subject to create from!

FMCS: Yep. I concur. Girls Rule! Ha ha…Although it is so difficult to choose one, I would have to say that “Sounds of my Soul” is one my favorite pieces. It looks like it was totally laborious and may have taken a very long time to complete. Can you tell us a little bit about the process by which it was created?

Stacey: That’s a favorite of mine too. I’m not going to explain how I do it. People ask me all the time but I never tell and this is why…

I came across an artist named Keba Konte. His work was phenomenal. Photography images on amazing exotic wood. I was so taken by it; I reached out to him to inquire how he did it. A bit later, he emailed me back and explained that he wouldn’t tell me his process because it would be so much more rewarding to me if I had learned it on my own. So after some trial and error, I figured it out. Not completely like him but I learned my own technique and process.

So he was right. It was rewarding and I made it my own.

FMCS: Do you have a favorite piece or do you love them all equally and for different reasons?

Stacey: I like them all for different reasons. I do get quite attached to my pieces and find it hard to let go of some of them… Sounds of my Soul, At the End of the Day, and my J Dilla piece are probably 3 of my favorites.

FMCS: What made you decide to use wood as a medium?

Stacey: It is really cool because it is a something that is not often seen.

To be honest with you, I cannot remember what made me use wood. I just have always like wood. The grain, the texture, the color, and the rawness of it.

I had a show at the Painted Bride in memory of John Whitehead and I made these 4 installations of Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, Bob Marley & Stevie Wonder. That was my first transfer process on wood and ever since then I haven’t stopped using wood.

In fact I use wood more than anything else. I almost never use canvas any more.

FMCS: How would you describe the Philadelphia art scene right now?

Stacey: I’m not really attached to the arts scene much. I just do my own thing and check out other people when I can.

FMCS: There are not a lot of women who do graffiti inspired art. How did this unique style of yours develop into what it is today?

Stacey: Not sure. I just remember in college not enjoying drawing in a realistic manner. I enjoyed accentuated body parts, big hair and lips. And I love black lines and funky edges.

I didn’t think much about it. It’s just what looks nice to me.

FMCS: It certainly works for you.

FMCS: You currently manage Fly Art, Squarebiz, The All-star Collective, Honey Hustle, and a host of other commissioned or freelance projects, yet when I see you, you always look so chill? What is your secret? How do you manage to keep so many irons in the fire, turn out such a high quality of work, yet remain so seemingly composed and relaxed? Okay you can tell us… Do you have Farnsworth Bentley running around behind the scene make everything run seamlessly?

Stacey: Ha ha, really, I have no idea. I guess I’m just a good multi-tasker. I think I would get bored doing one thing. There are times when things get overwhelming and times when things run smoothly. I’m happy to be able to do what I do so I just have to take the good with the bad.

FMCS: As a successful promoter who procures a significant amount of income based on whether people decide to come out and shake their booties… Do you believe that there is an optimal age where a person should gracefully bow out of the nightlife?

Stacey: Not at all! I think going out is part of what keeps you young. Dance, meet people, have a good time. I think what gets harder as we get older that a lot of the people you used to go out with don’t go out as much due to life ( relationships, careers, kids ) and you start seeing less people that you know, and then I think people start to give up.

FMCS: Phewww! Just when I thought I may have to hang up my dancing shoes!

FMCS: When did you fall in love with soul music? Can you think of a defining moment when you knew that music would shape your life?

Stacey: Not really. I always loved older music and soulful sounding music. I feel like I was born in the wrong era. I should have lived as I am now in the 60’s or 70’s. I really wish I could have experienced that.

Music today just isn’t the same. And of course it isn’t because things change but it’s just not even close to having the same kind of soul involved. That’s why my Ipod is full of classic (soul) music.

Nothing today really strikes me. Well, let me take that back and say most of music today. Because although I feel it has gotten worse, there are still some artists that keep soul alive.

FMCS: You’ve had the opportunity to create a series of events for the legendary mega star, Prince. You have to tell us about that!! How trippy was that experience?

Stacey: How was that collaboration born? That was probably to most awesome experience of my life. Ahmir ( Questlove ) knows of my love undying love for Prince. So, prince was doing a 3 night concert series in Philly and one night Ahmir called and asked if I can pick up Prince’s assistant and entourage and help them find a venue and execute his private after parties.

Say no more! I immediately went and picked them up at the Sofitel (their hotel). Took them around, picked the venue.

For the next 3 nights I spent my nights in Tragos (a chic bar/lounge in Center City Philadelphia.) with Prince, Maseo Parker and their friends. Took shots, played pool. One night Jill Scott and India Arie joined us.

It was so surreal to be standing in a space standing right next to Prince, speaking to him, watching the DVD of the performance from the night when Patti Labelle sang. Ahmir, Mike Nyce and Joey Blanco all got to take a night to be the DJ for the night.

Bottom line. It was completely wonderful. And I’ll never ever forget it. (Thanks Ahmir).

FMCS: Can you tell us more about your new baby, Honey Hustle?

Stacey: It’s a place where I wanted to house everything I’m doing. Art, events, design, podcasts, my favorite things… whatever. It’s a place where all my hustles are showcased in one space. It will make its debut some time soon.

FMCS: What political and/or environmental issue or cause are you most passionate about at the moment?

Stacey: I’m probably most passionate about Darfur; specifically the night walkers. At night, children of all ages (including babies carried by older children) must leave their homes and walk all night to stay alive. Over night, the militias go into the homes and take the children. Sometimes making them kill their parents and have to witness or are a part of acts of rape, torture and death.

Some are chosen to be a part of the army. It’s horrifying to think of how we lay in our plush beds while in another part of the world CHILDREN walk to save their lives. I have some events I am planning that will assist in educating and supporting helping the night walkers and people of Darfur.

FMCS: Number 1 song played on your Ipod?

Stacey: Oooh! That’s hard. And honestly I don’t even think I can answer. I love my ipod because I have 4,000 of my favorite songs at my fingertips. Some of my favorite artists are : James Brown, Marva Whitney, Ike and Tina, Prince, Luther, Stevie, Nina and I could go on and on and on……

FMCS: I rather enjoy those “Top Ten” list you compose on MySpace every so often. What are the top 5 things you are feeling at this present time?

Stacey: South beach (one my favorite places), slankets (fleece blankets with sleeves!!! It’s so dope, slanket.com), my .Mac account (Mac users, take advantage!), Trader Joe’s (if ya don’t know, now ya know!), tae bo @ Pennsport gym with Michael.

FMCS: Of all your endeavors, which one are you most proud of?

Stacey: Hmmm, hard to say. The one I was most excited about was Prince’s private after parties. But the one I feel most proud of was dancin’ in the streets, my outdoor event for National HIV Testing Day. It was done 3 years in a row on the steps of the Philadelphia art museum.

We had performances, vendors, great DJ’s, dancing, food and most importantly, on-site anonymous HIV testing. It was a great time and made you feel good about what you were doing. It was my first real community event and I really enjoyed it. Giving back and educating feels great.

FMCS: Thank you so much for giving us some insight into your world Stacey… Do you have anything upcoming that you’d like to share with us?

Stacey: Look out for DJ Kool here at Tastytreats on Saturday April 21, Squarebiz & Tastytreats 6 year anniversary in June, another arts loft market in may, an art exhibit at my storefront & lots of other goodies. Stay up with me and all my ventures at myspace.com/flyart.

And I just want to thank you Janell for wanting to tell the world about me much appreciate homie!

FMCS: Glad to be able to… we’ll be seeing you. I’m sure of it.

Current Links to Stacey’s Work

ALLPOSTERS.COM

STACEY’S MYSPACE

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