MIISHAB: June 2013

Lady Millard

Photo taken by Miishab

In a world where men get the first word, us ladies need someone to interrupt them and let ourselves be heard first. Lady Millard is a lady who is speaking up by taking over the streets with her now famous "lady" tag and also with her storm swept women with eyes of solid white. With her "lady" tag she mentions she is paying homage to the queen of the streets "Lady Pink". Theres "girl power" at its finest. This simple tag has so much meaning behind it but at first glance you may not realize it. Her bubbly and elegant cursive style brings a girly edge to her tag. Theres also something beautiful seeing the word "lady" which has an elegant feel to it but its in a very industrial urban environment. It gives the term "lady" an edge.

Lady Millard is not only a fantastic graffiti artist but also a great artist in general. She worked 10 years in fashion, illustration and brand creating before realizing she wanted to do something else. Seems like she is dipping her brush in everything to get a real feel for the creative world. After attending artschool for most of your life all you know is you want to create, but not excactly how you will contribute to the world with your art. Lady millard found her contribution.

I am looking forward to seeing more "lady" tags and also more pastes of her paintings of ladies. These prints of paintings really brings the gallery world outside. The women Lady Millard paints are strong almost spiritual like. They seem to be amongst a storm with their hair twisting upwards yet they are calm with eyes of pure white, doors to their soul.

Lady Millard has even stirred up some unwanted controversy in the street/graffiti art scene. Recently she was accused of defacing another artists work "cost". She has stood her ground tho through it all and is not letting someone get her down. I personally love secret collaborations of street/graffiti artists. The layers is what makes it all come to life. It really brings out a different feeling with work with it being on the streets, easy to be added to. Its annopen canvas for everyone.

Whats next on Lady Millard's journey we do not know but I can tell you this lady is eyeing the spot to be Queen and she will fight for it. Keep a look out for her, shes not going anywhere.





Q. Was there a moment that sparked your career not only as an artist but as a Streetartist?

A. In 2005 I worked on the streets of NYC selling art- and volunteered with the Wooster Collective on the Spring Street building. I saw the art of Street Artists like Banksy and Shepard Fairey before the world would recognize them as great artists. It sparked my love for the street.

Q. How long have you been creating?

A. I have always been creating art as far as I can remember. I was in art school by age 7. And my first painting was of a unicorn. I think I liked my little pony as a kid.

Q. Have you ever been hassled by police?

A. No.



Photo taken by Miishab

Q. Are you from NYC? And if not where are you from originally?

A. I was born in Jamaica West Indies. Raised in New York. Lived in San Francisco a few years and then returned to NYC.

Q. Did you attend artschool? Are you self taught?

A. Even though I attended Art School - I consider myself self taught.

Photo taken by Miishab

Photo taken by Miishab

Photo taken by Miishab

Q. What is your goal with your artwork, where do you see it taking you in the future?

A. I think this is the most challenging question. Honestly I don't think of my art in that way. I just know I have a talent and I want to create. I don't want to create work that is gimmicky. I want to develop a mill to produce art at production scale. I want to take over billboards and television screens.

Q. What is your favorite "canvas"?

A. Wood.

Q. What's yours favorite medium?

A. Oils.







Q. How has your work developed?

A. My work has ups and downs - I want to be true to the times that we are living in and develop work that might represent it but then I want to represent the feeling of my heart. My heart always wins.

Q. Whose your favorite graffiti artists?

A. I just started being aware of the fact that street art and graffiti are two desperate genres. I like both. My favorite graffiti artist is El Mac because of his can control. My favorite street artist is Swoon because of her brilliant depiction of women and her empathy towards culture and politics.

Q. Highlights of being a Streetartist?

A. The spotlight. No permission. People envy you.

Photo taken by Miishab

Photo taken by Miishab

Q. Any negative experience?

A. I went over a Cost piece recently and he publicly came at me with threats telling me I should move out of NYC. I found humility in that.

Q. I have seen some fantastic women artist taking to the streets to show there work. In your experience do you know of many women graffiti artists? Do you think women Streetartist have a bigger influence in the graffiti world now versus 5 years ago?

A. No. Women are really not taken seriously in the graffiti world there are a few names that have gone up and actually my tag pays homage to the only queen in the Streets. Lady Pink. I appreciate her contribution to Graffiti Art Culture. More women should get up. It is the other reason I tag Lädy. I want people to realize their power and strength as "lady's".







Q. Do you think more women will enter into the graffiti world?

A. It is likely but probably not. It is a harsh world.

Q. What are your favorite places to tag?

A. I won't share that info.

Q. If given the opportunity would you show your work at an artshow? Have you already?

A. I have shown at various art shows I have a upcoming show at the Harlem Arts Festival June 29th & 30th. Check my website for more details. LadyMillard.net


Photo taken by Miishab

To stay posted on Lady Millard check out her website :

LadyMillard.net

I highly suggest you follow her on

Pheed (@ladymillard)

Twitter (@ladymillardart)

instagram (@ladymillard)