Teffany Fragoso September 16, 2026

Conversations with Teffany Fragoso

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Teffany Fragoso.

Hi Teffany, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I began my journey as an artist when I was a young child. I would spend all of my summers in the Dominican Republic, visiting my grandmother and she lived alone so she had no idea what an art supply store was and we had no access to paint. I never let this get in the way of my creativity so I would combine yogurt with colorful spices in order to achieve the pigments I was looking for. My mom quickly realized that I had a knack for the arts so she started placing me in photography workshops at the age of 12, my birthday gifts ranged between cameras and paint kits. I was fortunate enough to have the support of all of my family. When I was between the ages of 17-18 I discovered that I had a passion for fashion but I had no idea how to sew, I created a 7 piece denim collection all hand sewn because I was absolutely determined to bring my creations to life. My university, had a Miami swim week show at Paraíso and displayed my pieces which were appreciated by so many people. I’ve been exhibiting at Art Basel events since I was 18 as well. Although I’ve experimented with many methods of creating, my natural instinct has always been to reach for a paint brush. I specialize in surrealist figure painting, helping women take control of their body image and reinvent themselves through oil paint and pencil. I’ll leave the link to my website down below
https://tiadicti.com/art

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Although my family always believed in my pursuit of the arts as a hobby, it wasn’t until I sold my first painting for 5.5K that they truly believed in my vision. Until then, I had to believe in my own dreams enough to make them a reality. When I was 15 I got my first job as a server at a restaurant. Through this job I funded my first website, Art courses in order to further my artistic skillset and the material I need in order to go from 1×1 ft. Pieces to 5×5 ft pieces.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a fine artist, specializing in surrealist figure painting, specifically the feminine physique. I am most known for the yellow mushroom figure I painted and sold in Art Basel named “Lyon’s Mane” you can find her on my website. The thing I am most proud of and honestly still can’t through my head is the fact that there are people who believe in my vision and invest their time and money into my work, also the fact that there are women who believe in my artistic skillset and choose me to bring their visions to life. What sets me apart from other artists is the root of my practice. My work is less about what it feels like to be a woman and more about what it feels like to become one. What it feels like to own your identity, your body, and to take pride in all of that.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I definitely consider myself a risk taker, it is essential not only in life but to require your brain. I have left jobs that I genuinely needed just to be able to participate in Art Basel and swim week events. I knew I made the right decision every single time, even when I didn’t sell anything because my goal wasn’t even to sell in the first place. My goal was to teach my brain to steer away from doubt and comfort and leap toward my dreams and vision. It was essential to prove to myself that I belonged in every single one of those rooms I’d dreamed of being in. I still am far from done and have so much work to do and dreams to accomplish, but every single risk I’ve taken ended favorably because I always learned something. Last art Basel and Miami swim week, my best friend and professional partner in crime, Sydney Landsman and I successfully produced and co-curated our very own events which ended with amazing sales and a great turnout both times! Every single step of the way we were terrified, but there was no better feeling than taking on such a huge project with someone that you know you can count on, rain or shine. This was the biggest and most worthwhile risk I’ve taken because not only do I have something amazing to add to my portfolio, I can also proudly say that surpassing this turned Sydney and I’s friendship into a sisterhood. (Sydney is the blonde in the photographs below)

Pricing:

Prices range in size and medium

Contact Info:

Website: https://tiadicti.com/art
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ykteffany?stkn=ZHR5cmhkMm1vemVi&utm_source=qr

Young woman with short curly hair sitting on a stool, holding two framed artworks, one of a lion and one of a dog, against a plain background.

Woman with short curly hair smiling, wearing a blue ruffled top and black skirt, standing next to a blue sculpture on display.

Two women sitting on rocks by the water, one with braided hair and the other with curly hair, wearing swimsuits.

Two women sitting on rocks by the ocean, wearing swimsuits, with water and rocks in the background.

Two women in white dresses smiling outdoors near a fountain, with a pink flamingo statue and a building in the background.

Two women in white dresses stand on stage, one speaking into a microphone, with a large screen and poster behind them.

Two women in white dresses stand back-to-back outdoors at night, smiling, with a building and string lights in the background.

Woman standing next to a painting of a figure with a mushroom cap as a head and a nude body, on a plain background.

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