SOooooo a few weeks ago I had the tremendous opportunity to rock a backdrop project for the infamous Swizz Beatz!!! He was celebrating his 33rd birthday, and his lovely wife, Alicia Keys wanted to make it extra special. Guess who they called to rock a backdrop!!!? Toofleezy Mgeezy!!! I almost passed out from the call. Let’s just say she is as beautiful as I imagined her to be, and super sweet like I knew she would be. OMG I LOVE ALICIA KEYS!!! Shout out to hommie Jen who put in the good word. Thanks girl! You and your team rocked a dope party. We had a blast roller skating, taking flicks, and enjoying a beautiful September night in the dopest city in the world….

So lovely to meet you Alicia!!! XOXO – Toofly

((( LOVE )))

Happy Birthday Swizz!!!

Shout out to Carmelo who took the time to chat with me. I was super stocked to hear he was familiar with my work!!!:) PS. I loved your sweater!


(( GOOD TIMES )))

High Line Park Rink. 30th St and 10th ave

If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YEAH! The GIRLS GOT KICKS book has officially dropped! Join the Female Sneaker Team in Harlem next week for the book release party!!! September 15th at Goliath 175 East 105 Street from 5-8pm. Shout out to our girls, Lori Lobenstein, and Amanda Lopez for teaming up to rock this fly book. I am very happy and honored to be part of it, and the FSF crew:) Check out more flicks and process shots here and here

Shout out to Lori Lobenstein for spearheading the book project, and giving light on the world of the sneaker ladies.

Love my layout thank you!

Photographer for Girls Got Kicks, Amanda Lopez

Big Tara!

Good job sneaker ladies;)

A few months ago I was commissioned to create a wall installation at Michaela Angela Davis loft in Brooklyn entitled “Sisters Who Shine”. This lady is phenomenal, and super sweet.  We’ve been building since 2003 when we rocked the “Let’s Dance” Honey Magazine shoot with Photographer Piper Carter, Bgirls; Rokafella, Big Tara, and Jez Skillz. Wow, time flies! Had to reminisce a little and pull out the shoot flick. I want to send mad love to Michaela for her support in my work over the years, and for her amazing work with young women today. It’s inspiring, and in sync with all the things we are pushing collectively. To learn more about her work with Salon Du Shine, Black Girlz Rock, and BET check out the interview with Amsterdam News New York. Dope…

This Black girl rocks: Image activist Michaela Angela Davis

Throwback>>>Let’s Dance Honey Magazine 2003

This year the Brooklyn Bodega crew aka Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival rocked a visual arts exhibit with some of today’s leading artists in conjunction with Jamel Shabazz’s 10th anniversary of BACK IN THE DAYS held at Power House Books. The theme “Under the Influence” of Hip Hop, Graff, Street, NYC, Culture, Love, and anything that continues to move and inspire us. Sending a big shout out to everyone that came through to support and to Royce and Alex for the invitation to get down. Good job fellas! Exhibit looks dope…

“The idea is to pay tribute to the culture and bring together artists who have something special in common – an influence, a back-story, a motivation. Hip-Hop wouldn’t have become the same  movement without the influence of the graffiti writers who created an aesthetic for a new generation. The artists in this show prove that the influence of the golden era keeps its roots and continues to inspire new creations. The influence is powerful and this show brings together both the pioneers and a new wave of artistic progression.”
- Corrie Zaccaria, Event Captain, The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival

Under the Influence of Love. Toofly Interview by Navani Otero

WHAT WE LOVE WE GROW TO RESEMBLE…

Full House!

Peeps, Art, and Books!

A must have in your book collection! Shout out to Jamel Shabazz, a wonderful man, and an amazing photographer who captured our beautiful culture…

Net, Craig Anthony Miller, Toofly, and Fumero….

Antonio Kel 5MH.

Love, Love Love my hommie Dizmology’s work….((( AMAZING ))))

The fly ladies, Yvey, TF, Vik, and Sofia Maldonado….

OH SNAP! JEN ONE is not playing….stay tuned…

Not bad for a ((( HOT )))  Tuesday night in NYC! Woohooo!

Just finished Bless Roxwell’s logo. Original hand style design by Toofly baby! Check it out…

Who can make folks sing a song they’re hearing for the first time at the top of their lungs? BLESS ROXWELL!! She IS Hip Hop revisited, renewed and refreshed, reminding listeners of b-boys and b-girls, turntables and mics, and most of all, love!

Momma’s Hip Hop Kitchen Vol:4 was a sweet success! Shout out to the MHHK team, who put on a beautiful event. Turn out was amazing!!! it get’s better and better every year. I’m happy and proud to be part of the collective of folks who stay true to their community no matter what. Much luv to our lovely Momma herself; Lah Tere for the invitation to share my slide show of works on stage  alongside some amazing female performers, musicians, and dancers. WOW!!! It was powerful altogether. Loved it! Thank you to all who came through to show your support, it means a lot to all of us who are there share our heart & soul…

Love my B-Girlz gals! Thanks ladies for supporting your biggest fan;) FULL CIRCLE SOUL!!!

New Toofly T-shirt debut! STAYING TRUE for all you ladies out there who live up, and rep what this is really all about…
exclusive and limited will be online soon! www.tooflynyc.com/shop

ahhh…The fave…slick black Love Heart Necklace. Last one, sold out! hot item, hot shot…

Booth buddies! Gotta rep the BAAD ASS WOMEN of 2011 baby!

11th annual Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance  Festival! March 7-26 don’t miss it!>>> BAAD

Was happy JUNKPRINTS got down this year! Yeah guuuuuuuurl you know how “we” do….

Walked around the booths, and ran into some designs I had done back in the days for the Pro-Choice Education Project. Memories…

Mother and son, Love this picture! Hope you like your little Toofly and Mr Pickle’s drawings in your black book Jack;)

Shout out to Karen for helping me take flicks, it got hella busy but we squeezed in for a few shots of some beautiful folks out there who do amazing work!!! You guys ROCK.

Slide show backdrop by TOOFLY! Fly….

Thank you everybody!!! ((( COMMUNITY LOVE )))

It’s that time again! Join us for women’s history month as we collectively kick off Momma’s Hip Hop Kitchen Vol4! Toofly booth with new goodies and fresh new slide show presentation will be on set marketa style. Don’t miss it, 1 day only!

MOMMA’S HIP HOP KITCHEN VOL.4
@Hostos Center for Arts and Culture
450 Grand Concourse (at 149th St.) Bronx, NY
Time: 2-5pm
This event is FREE and open to all ages!
For more information about the event, please visit www.mhhk.org

Back to the “land of the free”. Still trying to figure that one out. Until I’m actually living off the land, snacking on mandarins, and napping under the sun I will be happy with just “back to reality”. Which I have no problem with. As long as it runs smooth I’m cool with that. This trip to Ecuador sure was different, and I got to see what life looks like when it’s disorganized and in a state of chaos. Everything in between was gravy during my trip until the police decided to take over the country and protest! WTF? Can you believe they actually kidnapped the president! The police, and I’m sure power tripping goverment haters held him hostage over some decrease in wages and without any proper dialogue to discuss the issue they went ape shit and rebelled. Leaving citizens, and the country in a state of emergency. I had returned from some paseos to the country side to witness the streets in pure chaos, and live minute to minute video of gunshot battles between the military and the cops as they struggled to rescue the president to gain control of the madness. Banks were robbed, shops were vandalized, the airports shut down. It was a sad day for the motherland on September 30th, 2010. I didn’t know whether to laugh at one point, or actually worry about what was happening. Straight up action war movie status for 12hrs. I was unhappy watching the country fall apart. It’s not a good look. Luckily once the president Rafael Correa was safe, and back at the palace to deliver his speech people finally regained consciousness. With the help of powerful words, emotional choke ups, and patria songs the people of Ecuador got busy fixing their mess. I’m just glad it lasted ONE DAY. Whew…as my grandma would say “benidito sea dios”

LA LIBERTAD ESTA EN PELIGRO…

EL PANECILLO, QUITO

Anyway…before all the madness I was able to get some painting done, hang with my fam, and enjoy the beauty and peace I so desperately seek each time I dip out of the rotten apple…

On my way to the location I got a chance to see a bunch of productions with artists from Italy that had visited and a local artist named INFAME…There’s def way more graff /murals this time around…

en camino a la Avenida 6 de Diciembre. I was digging the new color they painted all the streets in…it was giving me cravings for some elado de mango.

As soon as I arrived I linked up with my Ecua hommies from La Communidad Hip Hop Ecuador and Barrio 593 and locked in to paint at the HIP HOP SIN VIOLENCIA event held en el sur de Quito. On top of the little mountain called el Panecillo where I grew up as a little pasposita girl. At 7am the DJ crew was already getting geared up for the street art/hip hop jam. The fellas were carrying over a heavy ass wooden table…I thought to myself…man they need them lightweight folding tables, but then I thought…this is dope. Bring out your momz biuro! Gotta work with what you got…

It was a beautiful morning, quiet, and sunny…fresh day to get started and paint in peace…in a few hours these streets would be full of bikers, artists, kids, and families who come to learn about what the youth with baggy jeans are up to…

Materials are so important. I forgot my mask! Luckily my grandpa had his little rags in the car and I was able to protect myself from the toxic paint fumes of their paint. Seriously I can’t hang with this paint, it makes it extremely hard for me to get shit done properly. Male caps vs Female caps. Argh…luckily one of the fellas had a connector. Saved! I need me a few for the next trip…

I was loving the location of the wall….it was a fly spot to paint. Great for photos…

Once the music got set up it was on!!!

Especially when this song came on what! Loved the beat…{ LA NiÑA by Mala Rodriguez }

The rest of the artists began to arrive, each holding a box of paint donated by the Ministerio de Cultura, and UNIFEM the united nations development fund for women.

Got a chance to meet them all and make plans for future trips here with an endless amount of walls and paint as soon as I return. YES!!! That made my day:) Muchas gracias! Estare en contacto con todos ustedes:)

Got a chance to get my photo doc moves on…I’m falling in love with photography more and more these days…

Folks conserve their materials here big time. I assume in all third world countries because of the limited quality in materials and income to purchase the right stuff. They use latex and spray to create most of their pieces…

Love shots with our pueblo people and the youth of today…

Can Ecuador please link up with the Europeans and get some of their paint pleaseeeeeeeeeee….I can’t stress it enough…

Props. They do work it though…I’m spoiled, lol!

The street art/hip hop jam block party, was a success! I’m always happy to see friends, momz, and neighbors come together to develop community events in their own hood with little to no money but full corazon! It’s inspiring…

Why is there always 1% of women repping tho? There’s plenty of space, room, and opportunity for you to shine mis lindas. Step up, rise up. Big ups to the 2 local women who were holding it down for the ladies…

I must say since my last trip the imagery, teqnique and walls have sure improved…

Their stencil artists too…

Semi-finito. Wall was hella big and the street that had shut down from 7am-3pm for bikers, runners, and people who wanted to enjoy their neighborhood strollz was gonna open up again and let hundreds of cars and buses roam through. Sigh…hopefully one day we will have less cars so we can all stop and smell the roses of life!

YO SOY EL SOL…

YO SOY LIBERTAD…

Ecua homegirlz steelo…

Shout out to my hommie Andres “Sapin” for linking me up with Disfraz MC del grupo Mugre Sur y Diego Palacios aka Psicosis who helped to organize this event. I am thankful for the invitation, and was hella lucky I made the trip during these dates. I always have a great time hanging with my ecua peeps, learning from each other, building, and painting under the sun of our beautiful land. Shout out to the women of UNIFEM for the interview and the opportunity to build with you on future events. Also to Jorge Cinesos from the Ministerio de Cultura who is recovering from the gunshot wounds from the riots;( Un abrazo grande a ustedes y a todos los grafiteros/artistas que pude conocer en el tiempo pequeño que tuve esta vez.  Con mucho cariño a todos. Asta el 2011!!!

What! This video is DOPE!!! Best BET joint they’ve done in a LOOOooooong time. Finally! THANK YOU. So proud to have been part of the generation that set it off for women MC’s. Skillz baby skillz! TALENT. Bottom line. Great to see they gave shine to the women in the underground who are keeping the voice alive even if you don’t see them in the commercial world. F@#! that! “Create and embrace the underground” – Questlove

Heading to San Francisco August 20th for the Sisterz of the Underground 9th year anniversary. Gonna rock some live art, and kick it with the hommies. Hope to see ya’ll there!!!

Sisterz of the Underground (SOTU) is a community, network, and support system created by, and for, females who choose Hip-Hop as a form of expression. As an open Hip-Hop collective, SOTU aims to encourage the integration of different elements of Hip-Hop, use the elements as tools for education and social change, as well as provide opportunities to showcase the elements — such as the annual Sisterz of the Underground event.

Read more

Back in NY. Finally get a chance to catch up on my flicks! We had a great time in at the 3rd Eye Open Hip Hop Festival in New Bedford, Massachusetts this past weekend. Shout out to Ben Glbarg for hooking us up! Thank youuuuuu:) Event was dope, piece came out fresh, and we had some delicious seafood wow! Now we know where New England clam chowder comes from:)

The official road trip painting crew for 2010: TOOFLY, VIK, YVEY, and SHIRO. Good Times!

DAY 1 3RD EYE OPEN HIP HOP FESTIVAL. “YEAR OF THE WOMAN”

Live Painting 8 X 24 foot wall…

Always happy when Shiro comes to NY for the summer. It gives us an opportunity to catch up on an entire year of projects, relationships and family:) Hommie 4 life right here. Summer is sOOooo busy for all of us trips like make all the difference in our lives. Love you Shiro!

Aight…time to get busy…tweeting away the process…

Photo opps for the the little kidz…

Shout out to Yvey who not only was our designated driver, but held down our booth and took flicks of our pogress. Thanks Yvey!!!

Making progress…taking mad breaks in between…it was HOT!

Love them skater kidz and their funky decks. This deck matches my piece…

mmmm’mmmm my favorite! Love DEL’S FROZEN LEMONADE ahhhhhhhh – yes save. Ice Ice baby!

Time to pull in the shade tactics to preserve our energy…

FINITO! 6-7 hours later…Wow, loved the colors scheme we chose to go with…still loving green and everything in between…that pink neon eye shadow was yummy….I gotta get me more…

VIK is sick with her letters…love it!!!

Shiro’s character was so on point with the event! Tough Love…Rise up Ladies! Sooooo Fly!

Very happy with this collabo, the crew, and the whole event. THE WALL WAS A SUCCESS!!! P.S. We were the only women painting at this event. Yes mam!

Back from the hotel, and refreshed for some final press flicks…

THE TOOFLY CREW did it again baby! They don’t call me an organizer freak for no reason! lol…

Finally ha a chance to take a stroll around the park. This was a huge event, there was so much to see, taste, and take flicks of…

WOW. some of the other artists/live pieces were beautiful! Especially this one…DOPE.

Art was everywhere…T-shirts, Skin, Paper…everywhere…

B-Boyzzzzz doing their thang on the vinyl…

Graffiti Letter Classics…

They def got a hip hop scene up here…without a doubt…

Shout out to all the artists of 3rd Eye Open. Wish I had all your names!

Made it to Jean Grae’s performance…but was beat. All we wanted was some seafood, and a pillow. Zzzzzz…..

DAY 2

Refreshed, and rested. Swam in the pool for a bit, and then hit the road in search of beautiful things, and relaxing views…

There’s nothing like an ice cold beer, or an ice cold ice cream during the summer…OMG 2 scoops! Sherbet….mmmmmm”

fresh breeze and a lake to sooth the soul, and soak our five’s…

Silly on the swing time!

We were having too much fun with the automatic setting on the camera. Lol! We couldn’t stop…

Got super duper lucky during lunch when we passed by a SEAFOOD FESTIVAL! What…OMG cold beers, Fish & Chips, Clam Strips, Lobster Rolls, Fried Shrimp, you name it…we had it:)

It was a beautiful day with the gals…

Before we knew it it was time to hit the road again, and get back to our regularly scheduled program. Pulled out the Brand Nubian album and zoomed out.

Switching it up left and right this year, and heading out of NY to see how folks in other city’s rock HIP HOP FESTIVALS. I miss the days when we used to take trips to the Philly BBOY BBQ to paint, and share a little slice of happiness with the Philly community. Those days are long gone now, but lucky for us the movement has grown and we can now travel to different cities. New landscape, new faces, and new organizers who know how to take care of their artists. Who’s rolling this year? The one and only VIK! – Her letters and pieces are sick. Love her work. Lucky for us they extended the budget and we are happy to announce SHIRO’S on board YAY!!! Yes mam, in NY for just 2 months and I’m dragging her to another city, Lol! Finally gonna get a chance to celebrate music, celebrate art, and most of all celebrate people together:)  NEW BEDFORD, MA see ya soon!!!

3RD EYE OPEN. HIP HOP FESTIVAL. YEAR OF THE WOMAN!

Featuring: JEAN GREY • CLIMBING POETREE  • TIYE PHONEIX
Live Graff Art by; TOOFLY, VIK, & SHIRO,
Buttonwood Park in New Bedford, MA
Saturday, July 17, 2010 // 9am – 8:30pm // FREE FOR EVERYONE!!!
www.3rdeyeunlimited.com

PRESS RELEASE BELOW >>>

Read more

Shout out to my homegirl B-Girl ARUNA from Rotterdam for rocking the GOOD WOOD X TOOFLY 2 finger Ring “Like Water” in her latest photoshoot to promote the WHERE MY GIRLS AT?! Exhibition in Rotterdam…

Read more

Yesterday was A-MA-ZING!!! The Younity Spring Markit keeps getting better and better. Mother nature blessed us with a beautiful day full on sunshine and breeze. Shout outs, and much love to Father Tom, and the Lady of Sorrows family. Thank you for allowing us to shine and do our thang. DJ Ski-Hi, DJ Laylo, all the beautiful artists and designers, Rockafella, Full Circle Crew, 5 Crew Dynasty, Circa95, Younity gals, family, and everyone who came through and showed their support. It means so much to us, and we are so happy to share days like this with YOU!!!

Love all you guys!!!

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood…

spring color and smiles…

DJ Ski-Hi on the 1&2′s spinning the best of Hip Hop, House, and more!

Let’s get this party started!

Time to shop! Handmade goodies, designer limited edition flyness…

Cutie pies!

Wasup Christine! Thank youuuuuuuuu

Shout out to Tina G aka PAPERSOUL for holding down the Toofly booth;) Photo by AM

What what…Chanel don’t play I want one! $$$

Ok I think it’s time we all did a fun fun colorful photoshoot! Just cuz…lol

UR NEW YORK CITY baby! Everyone need’s one of these in their crib – I got mine:)

MASAHIROOOOOOOOO….Wow your stuff is so sick! I need more feathers in my hair….love my suade purse too! thank youuuuuuu handmade goods are the BEST! Photo by: Ivette Garcia ©2010

Ill…

Antonio KEL5MH taking it back! Yes…Big Daddy Cane, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, and many more dope dope…

Hey! What you got there Mr? I’m not letting you miss the next one I want that shirt…haha ha!

FRESTHETIC got the goods! I want, I want, I want…

My sister Inks looking cute w/ her big sister’s new T! Photo by: AM

Marthalicia soaking in the sun, and getting busy on this beautiful painting. We got a Live Arts Corner planned for the nest one stay tuned…

Beautiful! Photo by: Ivette Garcia ©2010

Kelly! And all her cute little plush, and illustration works.

Loved these, I want, I want, I want…

Kids Corner time!

with lot’s and lot’s of bubbles…

SOHNUP did a awesome job of setting up an area for kids to make art. Thank you Aaron!!!

Shout out to Martha Cooper who came through to support before she hit up her NAME TAGGING Book release opening at Reed Space. Photo by: AM

Shout out to all the artists, and designers for creating such beautiful works! More flicks coming soon. TOOFLY, AM, INKS, JUNKPRINTS, FRESTHETIC, KELLY DENATO, URNEWYORK, DAVE CORTES, MARTHALICIA, SEE ONE, ANTONIO KEL5MH, MASAHIRO, EROTICA, ARIANNE ZAGER, KOOKIE KIMMIE TREATS, SOHNUP, BOWN SOAP FAMILY, and FREE5!.

DJ LAYLO ready to spin the breaks and get that linoelum blesssssssssssssed….

Kids love Linoleum! I gotcha on the next one kiddies…

Classic…

Youth team was focused! Rokafella is such an amzing teacher. Check out her classes on Tues 7-8:30 and Sun 6-7:30 $15 – Hybrid Studios 1828 Amsterdam Ave 3fl.

Thanks guys!!! Photo by: Ivette Garcia ©2010

CUZ Inc…got my back. BIG HUGGGGGGGZZZZ

THANK YOU EVERYBODY!!! Enjoy your summer, the great outdoors, family, friends, and your community.
with Love,Younity Arts Team : Toofly, Alice, Yvette, Shana, Diana, and our new gal Melissa!

Whew! Tired, but wired to chillax, and kick back for some margaritas, and shrimp fajitas….

Mmmmm’ sizzle sizzle, and the fire hazzard group tweets hah ahha!

GOOD TIMES!!! Next up: Philly Roots BBQ, Summer Stage with DJ Laylo, and Shana B-Day Crab dinner jam see ya’ll there wooohooooooo fun fun…

Celebrates Women in Hip-Hop

Join the lovely and talented Ms. Dee Vazquez, as we celebrate these fabulous Women in Hip-Hop: Aleesha Smalls, Karen Civil, TOOFLY and Martha Diaz.
with special co-host DEE VAZQUEZ (Sirius XM Radio/Hot 97/FUSE)

Wednesday April 14th, 2010 / 7:00 – 9:00pm

Martha Diaz ( Hip Hop Association, Toofly ( Artist/Designer) , Shayna D ( Sirius XM Radio) , Karen Civil, Ms Dee Vaskquez,( TV/Radio Personality ) Aleesha Smalls (Rocawear/Roc Nation)