Jemal McClary knew from an extremely early age that he was going to be an artist. Sure, he probably drove his parents nuts as a toddler when he drew and colored on the walls and floors of their home but it was evident that he had discovered his innate talent for art. 

Today, the artist has long graduated from his box of Crayola’s, and is better known as See One within New York City’s art scene. McClary draws – no pun intended – inspiration from the cultural utopia that the Big Apple presents everyday.

Monday through Friday, McClary runs the day-to-day operations of 101 Nine Studios, where his team of artists stylizes illustrations and paintings. But when he’s not at his art studio painting canvas, designing fashion and graphics, you can probably find him out and about in SoHo creating one of his series of live public paintings dubbed “Paint on the Pavement.”

Although his weekend paintings are mostly for pleasure, the rest of the week is business as usual for McClary, who is the creative director for the clothing brand Lo-Lifes. Besides being in charge of creating apparel, he also helps market the brand online.

Recently, Scribe Culture caught up with See One where we discussed his art inspiration, painting in the street and Lo-Lifes.

SC: You were born and raised in New York – Queens to be exact – a city where you can find art everywhere from the Modern Museum of Art to a pay phone on a bodega corner. How did growing up in Gotham inspire you to become the artist you are today?

See One: New York inspired me greatly; look at all the talented cats out here. Growing up in NY always made me want to be the best, be more creative and think of new ways to inspire. There’s so much creative energy here, and competition as well, so I always pushed myself hard to get to a different level and make a recognizable style so when I leave this earth someone can look at one of my pieces and know who it was.

SC: At what age did you realize you had the gift of drawing and painting?

See One: Very early – about 2 or 3-years-old. Some of my first memories are of me drawing on walls, floors and whatever else I found.

SC: You founded your own art studio, 101 Nine Studios, about 10 years back. Let our readers know what exactly goes on at your laboratory?

See One: Lots of stuff man: illustration, painting, fashion design, graphic design, hand-painting clothes – lots of creative foolishness.

SC: What does 101 Nine stand for?

See One: My studio name and art name are all connected. Here’s the math, 101 Nine is my birthday, October 19th. Other than that 101 stands for education, as in college classes are usually English 101, Science 101, etcetera. 101 in roman numerals is CI or See One. It’s all relative.

SC: Aside from painting on canvas you have also designed fashion. In fact, you are the creative director for the clothing brand Lo-Lifes. Can you describe your roll in that project?

See One: Yes, I am the creative director. I create all artwork and Cad designs for the line; everything from the collabo artwork to the business cards and hangtags. Oversee any new creative partners we bring on and act as liaison between the printer and the business. That’s a side project, that’ll be dropping shortly.

SC: Every weekend this summer you can be found painting live on the streets of SoHo.

See One: What is the name of you street art series and where can you be found?

I call it “Paint on the Pavement” I can usually be found on Broadway and Bond Street, next to transit and NYU. I’m there Saturday or Sunday depending on my schedule from about 2 or 3 p.m. to 7 or 8 p.m.

SC: Where can the people find you and your artworks online?

See One: I’m on almost everything: 101nine.blogspot.com, Twitter.com/101nine, Flickr.com/photos/101nine, Myspace.com/101nine, Coroflot.com/101nine, Styleportfolios.com/101nine. My blog also has all my info so that’s the first stop I’d recommend. From there you can hit all my other links

SC: Any departing words?

See One: In my lifetime, art is my lifeline – See One.