Meet Tobi Falade | Writer & Zine Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tobi Falade and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tobi, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
My life is what influences my work. I tried to avoid this fact as much as possible when I was first starting out with my zine; I considered Diary of a Sista Grrrl entirely separate from my personal life. As I released more issues, I realized that it felt more real — like an extension of myself — when I included both the personal and political, not one or the other. I think working on my zine makes me a freer person, and living my life as I want to inspires my work; it’s a pretty symbiotic relationship.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Diary of a Sista Grrrl is centered around my experience as a Black gender-non-conforming lesbian and the way it intersects with different parts of my life; my relationship with alternative music, my experience as a teenager, etc. My zine is a combination of writing, art, and interviews — I’ve been writing since I was a kid, but visual art felt totally off-limits and inaccessible to me for a really long time; I felt that if I couldn’t draw, or paint, or sculpt, then anything I made wouldn’t be enough. When I got into zines, I was inspired to start collaging. Zines feel like such an accessible medium to me, which is why I can’t help but be drawn to zinemaking; I can make them in a way that makes sense to me, instead of forcing myself and my art to fit. When I’m vulnerable in my art, it’s my best art, and I love putting out issues of my zine that represent that.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love pretty much every store on 19th Street, but my favorite is probably Vinal Edge, which is one of Houston’s oldest record stores. It has such a great selection of music and just being there is such a great feeling. I also love the City Treasures Marketplace, which is a flea and art market hosted all around Houston. Getting to support local businesses and finding local artists along the way is always so incredible.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The riot grrrl, queer, and BIPOC zine communities online, specifically on Instagram. Before I even started my zine and joined the community, seeing marginalized artists that stuck up for, supported, and encouraged each other made me feel really seen in a time where I didn’t know where my art fit in. I don’t know here I’d be without every queer artist and/or artist of color who I’ve met, befriended, or interacted with over the past two years; I’ve been encouraged and inspired endlessly.

Website: https://sistagrrrlzine.bigcartel.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sistagrrrlzine

Image Credits
Mikey Harper