I love NY! Especially when you stop to notice it’s beauty once in a while. Makes me forget all the rotten things it does during the day when it’s all lit up. Anyway…on this night the skies were clear and the breeze was one of those perfect temperatures. Not too cold, not too hot, just right. Spent some good ol’ quality time with the love of my life. Resting from the daily grind, and reminiscing about the crazy shit we’ve been through all these years. I feel blessed to have just about all I really need these days. Especially someone I can share beautiful nights like this with and just be me, Maria…

One love, one love…

Happy 15th year anniversary my love!!!

I’m beat. Trying to recover from a crazy week of traveling. Had an excellent time in the bay. What a great city! I loved it. I am definitely going back at least a week next time around. I’m mad inspired by all the street art I saw. The murals are amazing and hella deep. The graff was cool, but them murals boy really made an impact on me. Hands down a great city for art!!!

DAY 1: Sisterz of the Underground @Club Six

After a long nap at the hotel and a nice walk to the venue I had arrived to the 9th annual the Sisterz of the Underground anniversary event at Club Six. Sooo….I’m personally not a fan of live painting in clubs but when there’s a trip involved I’m there no mater what! I love art and it needs to be properly displayed. Having had a few years to curate exhibits I’ve become a nut about it. I was happy I got a chance to zoom my slideshow really really big across the walls of this place. Whew! What a difference that made. { saved }

If your gonna rock it you gotta do it right. Never attend an event without a dope slideshow. This has become “MY” new rule.

So the gals hooked it up with Upper Playground! yeah baby. They looked out and made a sweet deal to get me here. Shout out to Traci P, Cricket, and Sarah for the invitation! Also big ups to Adam for hooking it up with my capsule collection T’s. Currently up on my shop for sale NOW >>> Shop for Toofly X Upper Playground  T-Shirt collaboration.

10PM. B-boyz warming up, and the female DJ’s setting it off on the 1 & 2′…I must say the women DJ’s were on point!

Aight. Time to get busy…

Sarah & Cricket ready to hit the mic and the dancefloor. Good job ladies!

Ciphers & perfrormances were pretty tight. Wish I was tall sometimes so I could shoot…

Night went smooth. I didn’t take advantage of my drink tickets enough though:( Next time. Shout out to my hommie Rolando Brown for swinging by to support, and big ups to Suzie for the wonderful rooftop dinner!

DAY 2: See, Taste, Feel…

Early riser. Mornings are my thing. All is quiet, all is peace. I trooped it to the Japanese Tea Garden to give thanks for all my blessings, and sip on some Jasmine tea.

If Japan looks anything like this I’m there! Maybe 2011…we’ll see…

Japanese Architecture is beautiful…

I got the traveling bug. CROSSOVER BABY!!! making plans…

Koi. According to Japanese legend, if a koi succeeded in climbing the falls at a point called Dragon Gate on the Yellow River, it would be transformed into a dragon. Based on that legend, it became a symbol of worldly aspiration and advancement. More generally, the Japanese associate koi (also known as carp) with perseverance in adversity and strength of purpose. Because of its strength and determination to overcome obstacles, it stands for courage and the ability to attain high goals.  – Werd!

Dope place. I recommend it, but go there early before it get’s filled up with tourists and you can’t enjoy the natural view cuz it’s a tiny oasis.

By 12 noon I had made it to the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge. Glad the skies were clearing up it had been cloudy and cold since I got there. I guess my only complaint about this place was that there was not enough to do here besides ride your bike and charge like $3 for cheetos! Crazy tourist prices…not cool.

Besides that and looping up, down, and around the bridge I found a nice little spot to chillax and eat my $3 cheetos. I can’t believe I payed that! argh…still beating myself up about it, lol…

{ Hungry } Found out there was an annual international food festival at the missions, and I was outta there! I bid my farewell to seaguls and hit the bart to catch up with homegirl Nancy.

WOW! Pupusa time! Yummy. I was loving the food festival but was not about to wait an hour on the longest lines ever for grub. Hommies knew just where to take me to get one of my favorite salvadorian patties. Thanks ladies!!! Great meal. { Happy }

I truly got blessed linking up with Nancy. Homegirl took the time to show me around and give me a personal stroll through the missions and point out various artists, and stories about all the murals down here. Amazing! I got so inspired by the whole thing, and even more so because she herself is mural artist, educator, and activist. You can see her on this flick below on this mural detail with the bun on her hair.

Nancy you ROCK!!!

Balsy Street

I gotta ask Nancy who this artist is again. I loved his work!!!

This mural blew me away too. The tone on tone blue color I love so much, the theme, the story that runs so deep. Mural is called La Llorona” by Juana Alicia

“La Llorona’s Sacred Waters”A project on women, water and globalization. La Llorona weaves the stories of women in Bolivia, India, and at the U.S. Border together. It highlights Bolivians in Cochabamba who have fought to keep Bechtel Corporation from buying the water rights in their country; Indian farm workers in the Narmada Valley protesting in the flooded waters of their homes against their government’s irresponsible dam projects; and the women in black protesting the unsolved murders of women in Juarez, in the shadow of the Rio Bravo and the maquiladoras (sweatshops).

I can’t wait. That’s all I gotta say.

San Francisco is a city that is in love with murals. With over 600 murals, San Francisco’s mural tradition is rich and diverse with murals painted on building walls and facades, fences, garage doors and more. The colorful Mission District is the capital of San Francisco murals with the greatest concentration of murals in San Francisco. The San Francisco Mission neighborhood’s love affair with murals stems from the Mexican roots of the Mission District community. The Latino community took up residence in the Mission neighborhood in the early 1970s and they brought their muralist traditions with them. A walk along 24th Street between Valencia and York illustrates the vibrant mural traditions of the San Francisco Mission neighborhood.

My peoples. Transcending…

I kept running into the work of this artist who’s graff work I was really feeling. I gotta get his name…

Love it!!!

Homegirl Nancy. Thank you for the lovely street art strollz! Your DOPE.

By 6pm or so I was ready for the cipher and some chillax…

Besides walking up the crazy steep hills, it was all worth it cuz the view and the sunset made it all better:)  What a lovely day Saturday was. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. Shout out to the hommies who looked out and made me feel really welcome. Big ups to Suzie for putting together a lovely rooftop dinner and filling the day with love, friends, and blessings. THANK YOU!!!

DAY 3: Oakland Chillax…

Spent my last night it Oakland with a lovely woman named Tracy and a room filled with beautiful plants. Had some really nice conversations about philosophy and all things that make up our crazy beautiful lives. Shout out to my homegirl Izzy Izmz for linking us up:)

Took the afternoon to check out the Art & Soul culture arts festival in downtown Oakland. Had some ice cold lemonade, listened to Jazz & Salsa music and got some henna art. Met Rachel-Anne Palacios who rocks some sick Mehndi. I couldn’t resist. There’s always a first time for everything and I was way happy she did it:)

Younity baby! She’s down.

And that my friends was a sweet weekend filled with art, soul, and friendship. Thanks Tracey! Thanks Nancy! Thanks Suzie! Thanks Sisterz of the Underground. More reason why I love building with women and their open approach to life, art, and community. Younity is everywhere. Even though I’m rolling solo these days I’ve learned that the soldier of love is in all of us and we need to continue to spread it in any way, shape, or form. It has no boundries. The trip, the bridge, and the James Balwin documentary ” The Price of a Ticket” made all the sense in the world to me that all is as it should be. I’m SOOooo hooked on this new found freedom…

“Know from whence you came. If you know whence you came, there are absolutely no limitations to where you can go.” – James Baldwin

DAY 3: GAMLA STAN

After a good night’s rest from the Art of the Streets event I geared up my camera and took some street strollz through a little town called  Gamla Stan. I don’t know what I would do without my camera these days, it’s become my third arm! Hooked. Anyway…Gamla Stan is a lovely old island town, dating back back to the 13th century. It consists of medieval alleyways, cobbled streets, and archaic architecture. There’s lot’s of yummy little bistros, old merchants’ houses, antique shops, and mad tourists! I made sure I steered away when I saw packs and packs of them getting out their buses. Geez…luckily I was able to enjoy it’s quiet appeal when I came back in the evening and all was settled…

Gamla Stan

Every corner I turned pretty much looked like this…Yellow and brick colored homes, shops, and bistros…

” on the Sunny side of the Street” One of my daily mottos…

The cobbled streets reminded me of my country’s streets…

This had to be the skinniest street I’ve ever walked through! lol so awesome…

Stopped in a shop to get me a little gnome. There’s a cultural heritage that dates back to the vikings which influenced many folklore tales. They make references to elves, witches, and other non-human characters. They are supposed to take care of your home and not let the evil spirits bug you, but you gotta make sure you feed them with love because otherwise they get naughty. I was drawn to this baby gnome to add to my miniature collection:)

After an afternoon interview with Jacob, and Adam at a coffee shop I headed back to Gamla Stan to try and grab some evening shots. I took a different route this time, exploring a different way has become super fun lately. I don’t like taking the same road twice. I ended up further away but got a found a peaceful place where I could quiet my thoughts and be in an aura of thanks…

There’s something to be said about solo travel missions. There are no distractions. You follow you, and no one else. It’s a great time to center yourself when you stray away from the noise. If you truly want to find a way back to your heart’s calling you have to stop, think, and let go of many many things. Especially things that no longer make you happy, that you have outgrown, or that need to be left in the past simply because you no longer need it. Living in a busy city can get you off track sometimes. There is so much to do, so much to see, so much that occupies our mind. It is important to take a time out, and reflect on what matters most to you so you don’t get sidetracked. So yea…I was taking the time to ponder on these thoughts by the water, overlooking Stockholm. I knew that in 14+ hours I would be back to the noise, back to the grind, and back as a member of the noise contribution. Sigh… However, with every passing day there is a new plan. A plan to “get free”. In a few more years all the hard work will pay of. Balance will be restored to it’s natural state. Until then, or the next time I sit still in awe of nature’s beauty…busy bee mode: ON!

Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping…into the future….

Big thanks again to Jacob Kimval for the invitation to come to Stockholm. I had a wonderful time!!!

“The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours – it is an amazing journey – and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.” – Bob Moawad

Linked up with my boy WERDS this past weekend at a Brooklyn rooftop. It’s been a minute since I painted with the fellas…

The weather was all out of wack earlier, but we rocked this wall straight through the goblets of rain drops. Not without it’s share of “ahhh hell RAIN RAIN GO AWAY!!!”

Once the storm passed the sun beams peaked out and it was sOOOoooo worth it! Sometimes you just gotta bear the passing storms. Glad I didn’t bail. { TROOPER }

Werds was nonstop though, rain or shine!

We ran out of paint at one point, but still managed to rock it. I need to remember to triple quadruple pack my paint next time…

On my 10th break. Enjoying the fresh breeze, rays of light, and clicking away…

The Magician having fun in the sun…

Found some interesting things up on this roof. Especially this drawing. Hidden from view. It’s amazing what you can find when you explore.  Artist – unknown.

Peeps with the wicked stylez stopped by to join the fun…” Yeo bro get me a beer!” lol…

I was strolling through the roof and found some urban gardens. Ahhhh yes…It’s a sign…

Nature is the shit! Tomatitos anyone?

All about the good times, and good peoples. Life is sweeeeeeet, thanks fellas!!!

WERDS & TOOFLY Brooklyn, NY 2010

“To any artist, worthy of the name, all in nature is beautiful, because his eyes, fearlessly accepting all exterior truth, read there, as in an open book, all the inner truth.” – Auguste Rodin

Finally back in the studio ( aka living room ) painting again. It’s a been a while…feels good…

THE LOVE MOVEMENT. Coming Soon…

Portrait shots by my sister Pam Inks. Last days at home listening to our favorite tunes as she clicks away on her hipstamatic iphone app…

Finally got around to post some flicks from Shana’s 4th of July FISH FRY! Fried Chicken, fried shrimp, fried fish and you can eat fry! Shout out to all the peeps that came through and made this Fish Fry / 4th of July / Birthday Celebration a blast for MISS INFO!!!

When it’s 90 degrees out there’s nothing like an ice cold beer. { Drink Responsibly }

Happy Birthday Shana!!!

fruits and salads are truly refreshing. Healthy eats on hot summer days…

Happy babe was off from work…

Makes days like this just perfect! { Happy }

Great conversations about relationships, future trips, and saturn return messages from the universe….

DJ Laylo and Sky! We going to Brazil and Hawaii baby!!! Gotta make it happen…

ah yes….good old orange electrical cord saved the day! Must. Have. Music. Can’t. Live. Without. It.

Summer love…summer fun…

Great meeting you all!!! See ya at the next jam:)

New works! Got a large 20″ x 27″ sticker sheet to draw an original piece for the “BRACE YOURSELF” sticker show. Presented by STICKY RICKS in Los Angeles, CA. It’s next week! in the mail as we speak,  here’s a sneaky peak…

When life is victorious, there is birth; when it is thwarted, there is death. A warrior is always engaged in a life-and-death struggle for Peace.
– Morihei Ueshiba

BRACE YOURSELF!
The Urban Underground Speaks. Brace Yourself for the message.  Artists tell the story through adhesive art.
Saturday, JULY 17, 2010 // 6pm-midnight // $5
Self Help Graphics & Art
3802 Cesar E. Chavez Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90063

MORE INFO BELOW>>>

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Goooooooood times…

Photo by ©2010 Joe Conzo

ahhh yes it’s officially summer in NYC! It was an excellent holiday weekend. From maracuya batidos with my querida family before their trip back to Florida, to a delicious Ecuadorian BBQ with my BFF’s in Staten Island. There was plenty of delicious grilled etraña, hammock sessions and mosquito smacks to go around. Let’s not forget “a party isn’t a party until you dance!” Dragged my brotha from anotha to LIBATION in the LES { official troopers } and “rocked the house yo!” lol, good times, good times. Got it all in and still managed to chillax with my love love at one of our favorite places in Queens, Long Island City Pier. I guess all that was missing was my iphone which got washed away that morning on the permanent cycle. Woops! probably best anyway…haha!

HAPPY SUMMER 2010!!!

Back home from a relaxing weekend at Mount Tremper Arts in the Catskills, Upstate NY. Every now and then it’s good to take a break from city life and reconnect with nature…

- We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. – Buddha

The night we arrived we made a quick and delicious home cooked meal then hit the firepit outside. Nothing like a little warmth by the fire, some sake and much needed giggles. The next morning we got a chance to soak up some sunshine as the cloudy sky cleared up, and Alice got busy with the charcol to draw. The art of  relaxation was in full effect. It had been a minute since we touched base with nature again, there’s ((( Mind.Body.Soul ))) freedom in all this green!

The Temper Arts community home. Nothing like having a grill and a kitchen with everything you can possibly need to make healthy and home cooked meals. I love chopping up that cilantro in the morning, noon, and night. Mmm’m my favorite herb:)

It’s too early to see the full blown garden and it’s flowers but you can check them out here…took some flicks last year when we discovered this place…

Speaking of discovering, you gotta take the road less traveled and seek new trails! Yes, and we heard the river and we followed the stream down the pebble pond…

determined to find the river…

We made it! The journey is the destination. Our mind really opened up at this spot. We found a beaver damn with some fallen tree trunks by the water, and chillaxed with some dry fruit and nuts. We were talking about all kinds of crazy beautiful things about life. I love moments like that where your thoughts just flow like the water…

About Mount Tremper Arts

Nestled in the Catskill Mountains, just over two hours from New York City, Mount Tremper Arts supports contemporary artists in the creation and presentation of new works of art. Founded by photographer Mathew Pokoik and choreographer Aynsley Vandenbroucke, MTA fosters an environment of creative risk taking and intellectual curiosity. It does this through an integration of performances, exhibitions, artist residencies, educational programming, and informal gatherings.

We love it here!!!

We’re coming back so get ready peeps. 8ppl max crew, all facilities included!:) >>> FALL 2010 – Younity Pow Wow Retreat!

The busy bee season is kicking in! I hope I make it, specially now that I have like no time:( This past weekend I had an opportunity to rock a little 5min video with the FRIENDS WE LOVE youth team attending the New Design H.S aka Seward Park H.S. They did so great! The weather was sweet, the kids rocked the interview, and I got a chance to do paint a little something something. It’s days like this that make me confident the next generation will be alright. Especially with folks who take the time to give back to their communities. Love you guys! THANK YOU:)

When we were all done, I got a chance to walk around and scope out this place. WOW. This rooftop is an artist heaven…

The size of this place is crazy!!! I couldn’t wait to come back and spend an entire day re-doing my quick little throwie…

Voila! Not done yet but it’s getting there. Spent a whole afternoon completely zoned out on this piece and it felt great! I haven’t painted in solo mode in years. It was bliss, and definitely something I need to do more often. Yay! painting season has officially begun folks. Shout out to everyone who’s doing a killer job up there; WANE, BOUNCE, TRIXER, CERN, CECE, ERIN YOSHI, and MARTHALICIA. It was so good to see you guys.  Last but not least the man behind this dope place; Jessie Pais, your the man! It’s people like you who make a huge difference in all our lives. Thank you for helping to carve out a little piece of this city for all of us to enjoy. As you can see I’m really excited about this whole thing, and even more so now that their third annual event is coming up. Mark your calendars! Saturday May 8th ROOFTOP LEGENDS opens it’s doors to the public. You don’t want to miss it. Info below…

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As time passes I realize more and more what is truly taking priority. All I want to do is celebrate those closest to me, enjoy this new found peace, and put everything else on the side. This week I took my love out for his birthday. We set it off at his favorite restaurant in the east village called GYU-KAKU. One of the most delicious Japanese BBQ spots I’ve ever been to. Damn that food was good!!! we recommend it 100% Go for the Kobe, Kim-Chee Sukiyaki Bibimbap rice , and the Eryngi mushrooms OMG YUM! Throw in a little desert while your at it, and pop some bubbly. The bill will be off the roof but it will be worth it;) Great spot…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE!!!

Appetizer…Samon in hot oil with ginger and scallions…

Grill it up! This is the fun part, just sizzle your Kobe and your veggies and your good to go…

I love my Kym-Chee rice. especially when it’s medium spicey! I’m getting hungry just staring at this photo…

“Barrigita llena corazon contento”, as my grandma would say. Home sweet home time…

This year we will have many celebrations in our family. Everything from anniversary’s, milestone birthdays, and babies. We are moving into a whole new direction and it feels really really good and right on time. I love you babe!!!

In the studio working on the final piece for Lil Jon’s Ms.Chocolate single featuring grammy winner R.Kelly and Mario. Gotta pay the billz! Shout out to Corey from Blacksmith for the pitch. More after the jump…”YEY-AH!“

Just finished watching the Garbage Warrior documentary and I’m so inspired!!! Michael Reynolds is my HERO. This finally makes all these radical ideas, and feelings I’ve had all these years make sense…

What do beer cans, car tires and water bottles have in common? Not much unless you’re renegade architect Michael Reynolds, in which case they are tools of choice for producing thermal mass and energy-independent housing. For 30 years New Mexico-based Reynolds and his green disciples have devoted their time to advancing the art of “Earthship Biotecture” by building self-sufficient, off-the-grid communities where design and function converge in eco-harmony. However, these experimental structures that defy state standards create conflict between Reynolds and the authorities, who are backed by big business. Frustrated by antiquated legislation, Reynolds lobbies for the right to create a sustainable living test site. While politicians hum and ha, Mother Nature strikes, leaving communities devastated by tsunamis and hurricanes. Reynolds and his crew seize the opportunity to lend their pioneering skills to those who need it most. Shot over three years and in four countries, Garbage Warrior is a timely portrait of a determined visionary, a hero of the 21st century.

Earthship n. 1. passive solar home made of natural and recycled materials 2. thermal mass construction for temperature stabilization. 3. renewable energy & integrated water systems make the Earthship an off-grid home with little to no utility bills.

Biotecture n. 1. the profession of designing buildings and environments with consideration for their sustainability. 2. A combination of biology and architecture.