Check out our interview with talented Street Artist 1Penemy aka Dr Nicholas Toscano.
Dr Nicholas Toscano was recently revealed as street artist 1Penemy. As an artist, he is responsible for creating viral mugshots of supermodels scattered around Soho. With fans including Cindy Crawford and Hannah Ferguson, it was only a matter of time before he would be revealed as the artist behind the 1Penemy brand.
Follow Dr Nicholas at @drtoscanodds
Please tell us a little about you?
Well I am from a classic New York Italian family. I went to St. Mary’s School on Long island. I come from a military family, my dad was a Navy Seal, I was a US Navy surgeon for 13 years and my brother is currently a Lawyer in the US Navy at the Pentagon. After high school, I went to University of Scranton in PA, Followed by Columbia University School of Dental Medicine where I went in the United States Navy having received a Navy Scholarship. After I graduated, I went to Officer Indoctrination School in Newport, RH. After the Navy I came back home to NYC where I started my surgical dental practice on Central Park South. Today Dr. Toscano is currently the official dentist for roughly 20 modeling agencies in NYC including Lions, Wilhelmina, One Model Management, Marilyn, Storm, Major models, Fusion, IMG, Heroes, Lipps, and others. His clients include Victoria’s Secret models, Candice Swanepoel, Helena Christensen, Jasmine Tookes, Romee Strijd, Josephine Skriver, Georgia Fowler, Frida Aasen, Vittoria Ceretti, Megan Williams, Lais Ribeiro, Daniela Braga, and Blanca Padilla. I am responsible for many of the most beautiful smiles you see in fashion Magazines and on the movie screen.
I also treat many world famous artist’s which lead me to become a successful street artist myself. I’m know as 1Penemy which stands for #1 public enemy.
I balance what I do every day in my dental practice applying science with countless client-tailored artistic smile reconstructions, makeovers, and recreations, so it was all to nature for me dive deeper into his artistic side I was heavily influenced and inspired by his famous artist patients he treats, such as Bradley Theodore, Jeremy Penn, Layer Cake, Tripp Derrick Barnes, BY Flore, Producer BDB, and many others. Through their influence I began creating my model-based street and graffiti art in April of 2016. Originally Dr. Toscano’s street graffiti revolved around well-known models that he grew up following, like Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford and Stephanie Seymour. He has now rendered his work to showcase modern models like Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Helena Christensen, and Adriana Lima. I named my artwork the Soho Model Line up since it was Mugshots of famous models that I would put all over the streets of NYC but mainly SOHO NYC.
Initially, I kept his artistic street graffiti under the radar, but people started to take notice of his artwork on the streets of SoHo and began reposting pictures of his art via social media. My art Instagram @1penemy grew, and models all over are posing in front of the notable “Model Mayhem” street work.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Leader, Artistic, innovator.
Name one your strengths?
Perseverance I never give up.
Who is your biggest supporter?
My Mom.
Best advice ever given?
Your never out of the fight — A navy seal made me memorize their creed “My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.”
Who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
My Dad, he taught me in life there is always going be ups and downs but its what you do when you’re down that helps you succeed when your up.
When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a surgeon.
What are the basic principles of your company?
To provide the best high quality surgical care to my patients and treat them all like family
What is most challenging part about what you do?
The most challenging part of what I do is that you can do everything right as a surgeon, be absolutely perfect in what you do and provide surgically to the patient but the successful outcome is dependent on the patients healing capacity.
What made you choose this type of business?
Well I was in the Navy for 13 years and then transitioned to private practice.
What did you learn from your biggest failure?
My biggest failure was trusting people at their word and not getting getting things on paper.
Now tell us about your street art work? Where did you got the inspiration
for this?
So I am the street artist know as 1Penemy (stands for #1 public enemy.) I am used to balancing applied science with countless client-tailored artistic smile reconstructions, makeovers, and recreations it was all to nature for me to dive deeper into my artistic side. I was heavily influenced and inspired by his famous artist patients he treats, such as Bradley Theodore, Jeremy Penn, Layer Cake, Tripp Derrick Barnes, BY Flore, Producer BDB, and many others. Through their influence I began creating his model-based street and graffiti art in April of 2016. Originally My street graffiti revolved around well-known models that he grew up following, like Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford and Stephanie Seymour. He has
now rendered his work to showcase modern models like Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Helena Christensen, and Adriana Lima.
I have dedicated my life to helping others, whether it be by improving health or simply living more confidently. I am humanitarian who has discovered yet another way to reform others’ lives. I am no stranger to doing charitable work over the years, wants to utilize his artwork to benefit more charitable causes. I plan to collaborate with some of his artist clients, previously mentioned, for a gallery show. I intend to donate a portion of his profits to organizations that assist in diminishing women’s struggles such as Model Alliance and the Me Too Movement.
What’s your favorite quote?
In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes – Warhol
To what do you attribute your current success?
Hard work and many great mentors in the United States Navy
Branding and identity are key. How do you advertise your business?
I have a huge instagram and social media presence as well as being the official dentist to 30 modeling agencys both in NYC and LA including including Lions, Wilhelmina, One Model Management, IMG Marilyn, Storm LA, Lipps LA, Major models, Fusion, Hereos, State, Red True and others.
What part of your job do you find the most challenging?
Sometimes balance patient expectations with what can be achieved surgically.
Are there busy and quiet periods during the year?
Summer tends to be slow in NYC because of people traveling on vacation.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
Make your Bed By William H. McRaven.
You have $100k, where do you put it?
Bitcoin or Gold.
What do you look for in an employee?
Hard-work and loyalty.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Green Juice.
And your favorite cheat food?
Hamburger and Fries.
How would your best friend describe you?
Loyal and giving.
Your idea of a perfect Sunday is?
Cuddling of the sofa watching a good movie.
How would you describe your fashion style?
Edgy Rocker.
What kind of music do you listen to today?
New Wave.
Do you support any charity?
RED.
What do you think of Social Media?
It is a necessary evil in business.
Where our readers can follow you?
Instagram either @drtoscanodds or @1PENEMY
Travel Destination: Italy. Capri and Amalfi.
Sports Team: NY Rangers
Restaurant: Emelio Ballato or Carbone
Favorite Food: Italian
Movie: Star Wars, Notting Hill, Endless Love and SEVEN
