Ivben Taqiy is a talented Philly based painter who fell in love with art at the young age of seven. He has gone on to illustrate books, has had a clothing line and has created portraits throughout his city. He also has the most stylish blue beard on the planet lol! The HOF Fashion & Style blog had a chance to interview Taqiy via email...
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PAINTING AND WHEN DID YOU GET YOUR “BIG BREAK”? I've been painting for over 20+ years: I've had a lot of big breaks, but what stood out to me the most was Swizz Beats putting a post on social media saying he wanted a painting done and completing it in one night and being praised and respected by over 400k people as he complimented my dedication and establishing a friendship with the music producer/ art collector.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT SO FAR? One of my biggest accomplishments was working a charity event with Bill Cosby and having the opportunity to listen to some wise words of business and share some inspiring words in which we collaborated on a painting that we auctioned off.
WHO, IF ANYBODY, HAS REALLY HELPED YOU ALONG THE WAY? Help comes from your biggest supporters and I'd say my parents, my wife and all the friends and fans that believe in me and all my adventures.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU? Living life inspires me as well as failure in other people, knowing I don't want that future for myself and my family. So I'll always be driven to be successful!
WHEN DID YOU DISCOVER YOUR TALENT? I discovered my talent in kindergarten art class, and in the house with my 4 sisters. My mom always got us coloring books for activity time
WHAT CELEB WOULD YOU LIKE TO PAINT? Sade' I love her. Mya just wanna meet her she's super sexy, Phyllicia Rashaad, Oprah Winfrey, Sean Combs, and Nia Long
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? Eating wings with friends, quality time with kids and family, and traveling
HOW DO YOU PREPARE TO WORK ON A NEW PAINTING? Snacks, a good team, a game plan , and proper supplies!
WHAT DOES “FLY” MEAN TO YOU? "Fly" means Fearlessly Legit, Yomeen! Having creativity and style that bleeds out the soul with passion and grace.
FAVE DESIGNER OR FASHION HOUSE? Calvin Klein, Boss, Versace, Comme de Garçon just to name a few.
WHERE DO YOU SHOP? Target, H&M, consignment shops, Nordstroms, Status Shop, and Platinum.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE... Artistic, masculine, creative, metro, and debonair with a flair of thuggish thuggish bone.
WHAT ARE YOUR GO TO PIECES? All black, tailored suits, ties, 3 1/4 length trench coats, Timberland boots, fitted sweaters, solid colors, black and white stripes, black and white polka dots, and leathers.
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU REFUSE TO WEAR? I refuse to wear some synthetics like fake leather, I don't wear khakis, button up shirts unless I'm wearing a suit, flannel button ups and Skinny jeans or colored pants/ jeans. Also sneakers with more than 3/4 colors.
WHO ARE YOUR TOP 5 STYLE ICONS? Kanye West, Lenny Kravitz, Brad Pitt, Steve Harvey and Kris Jenner
IS THERE A MOVIE OR VIDEO THAT YOU REALLY LOVE THE FASHION? I love the fashion in Alice in Wonderland with Johnny Depp, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, House of Flying Daggers, Ronin, Matrix- all 3, and John Wick.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVE OUTFIT GROWING UP? My favorite out fit growing up was jean overalls one strap down, a white tee or striped shirt, and some dope Nike basketball sneaks
WHOSE CLOSET WOULD YOU LIKE TO RAID AND WHY? Both the old Nicki Minaj and Lady GAGA . I love the creativity.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVE SONG TO GET READY TO? Favorite songs depend on mood! Gravity by John Mayer if I'm down, some lil Wayne joints and Future monster mix tape, and also Tove Lo Habits remix.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OFF IN YOUR INDUSTRY? The crazier the better, consistency, accuracy, and to keep going even if it looks bad!
WHAT IS NEXT FOR YOU? Handling being famous for being a living legend and masterminding the Art world creatively.
WHERE CAN WE FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR WORK? Instagram @ivbentaqiy @ivbentaqiyart #ivbentaqiy #ivbentaqiyart and make sure you stay updated with me with all my ventures ie; shows , restaurants, clothing line, art supplies, work shops, events, and any announcements.
ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD? You got to love and respect yourself and dreams before you can be apart of anyone else's!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PAINTING AND WHEN DID YOU GET YOUR “BIG BREAK”? I've been painting for over 20+ years: I've had a lot of big breaks, but what stood out to me the most was Swizz Beats putting a post on social media saying he wanted a painting done and completing it in one night and being praised and respected by over 400k people as he complimented my dedication and establishing a friendship with the music producer/ art collector.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT SO FAR? One of my biggest accomplishments was working a charity event with Bill Cosby and having the opportunity to listen to some wise words of business and share some inspiring words in which we collaborated on a painting that we auctioned off.
WHO, IF ANYBODY, HAS REALLY HELPED YOU ALONG THE WAY? Help comes from your biggest supporters and I'd say my parents, my wife and all the friends and fans that believe in me and all my adventures.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU? Living life inspires me as well as failure in other people, knowing I don't want that future for myself and my family. So I'll always be driven to be successful!
WHEN DID YOU DISCOVER YOUR TALENT? I discovered my talent in kindergarten art class, and in the house with my 4 sisters. My mom always got us coloring books for activity time
WHAT CELEB WOULD YOU LIKE TO PAINT? Sade' I love her. Mya just wanna meet her she's super sexy, Phyllicia Rashaad, Oprah Winfrey, Sean Combs, and Nia Long
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? Eating wings with friends, quality time with kids and family, and traveling
HOW DO YOU PREPARE TO WORK ON A NEW PAINTING? Snacks, a good team, a game plan , and proper supplies!
WHAT DOES “FLY” MEAN TO YOU? "Fly" means Fearlessly Legit, Yomeen! Having creativity and style that bleeds out the soul with passion and grace.
FAVE DESIGNER OR FASHION HOUSE? Calvin Klein, Boss, Versace, Comme de Garçon just to name a few.
WHERE DO YOU SHOP? Target, H&M, consignment shops, Nordstroms, Status Shop, and Platinum.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE... Artistic, masculine, creative, metro, and debonair with a flair of thuggish thuggish bone.
WHAT ARE YOUR GO TO PIECES? All black, tailored suits, ties, 3 1/4 length trench coats, Timberland boots, fitted sweaters, solid colors, black and white stripes, black and white polka dots, and leathers.
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU REFUSE TO WEAR? I refuse to wear some synthetics like fake leather, I don't wear khakis, button up shirts unless I'm wearing a suit, flannel button ups and Skinny jeans or colored pants/ jeans. Also sneakers with more than 3/4 colors.
WHO ARE YOUR TOP 5 STYLE ICONS? Kanye West, Lenny Kravitz, Brad Pitt, Steve Harvey and Kris Jenner
IS THERE A MOVIE OR VIDEO THAT YOU REALLY LOVE THE FASHION? I love the fashion in Alice in Wonderland with Johnny Depp, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, House of Flying Daggers, Ronin, Matrix- all 3, and John Wick.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVE OUTFIT GROWING UP? My favorite out fit growing up was jean overalls one strap down, a white tee or striped shirt, and some dope Nike basketball sneaks
WHOSE CLOSET WOULD YOU LIKE TO RAID AND WHY? Both the old Nicki Minaj and Lady GAGA . I love the creativity.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVE SONG TO GET READY TO? Favorite songs depend on mood! Gravity by John Mayer if I'm down, some lil Wayne joints and Future monster mix tape, and also Tove Lo Habits remix.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OFF IN YOUR INDUSTRY? The crazier the better, consistency, accuracy, and to keep going even if it looks bad!
WHAT IS NEXT FOR YOU? Handling being famous for being a living legend and masterminding the Art world creatively.
WHERE CAN WE FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR WORK? Instagram @ivbentaqiy @ivbentaqiyart #ivbentaqiy #ivbentaqiyart and make sure you stay updated with me with all my ventures ie; shows , restaurants, clothing line, art supplies, work shops, events, and any announcements.
ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD? You got to love and respect yourself and dreams before you can be apart of anyone else's!
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