Last week I completed my first illustration & design project since living in the motherland. My warrior women were called upon for a special t-shirt design project for the TECH BY SUPERWOMEN event going down during SXSW (South by Southwest Music Conference and Festival) March 9th-13th in Austin, Texas. Shout out to Cathryn Posey, and Rolando Brown for reaching out. You guys are lovely clients & friends:) THANK YOU!

The 19th annual SXSW Interactive festival will take place March 9-13, 2012 in Austin, Texas. An incubator of cutting-edge technologies, the event features five days of compelling presentations from the brightest minds in emerging technology, scores of exciting networking events hosted by industry leaders and an unbeatable line up of special programs showcasing the best new websites, video games and startup ideas the community has to offer. From hands-on training to big-picture analysis of the future, SXSW Interactive has become the place to experience a preview of what is unfolding in the world of technology. Join us March 2012 for the panels, the parties, the 15th Annual Interactive Awards, Startup Village, ScreenBurn at SXSW, the SXSW Trade Show and, of course, the inspirational experience that only SXSW can deliver. SXSW Interactive 2012 is sponsored by Miller Lite, Chevrolet, IFC, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Monster Energy, Samsung, Freecreditscore.com, Microsoft, Isis, Esurance, AT&T and The Austin Chronicle

Really enjoyed working on these new illustrations. Especially since much of the inspiration will become part of my next print series! I’m all set up and starting to flow again. Once internet was up and running I set up my studio. Bought a couple of plants, comfy chair, long table, and a cute little lamp. With pencil, paper, and a mac, working up high in the mountains is bliss. I wake up to sunshine almost everyday, and the birds chirping away:) I’m in love with time right now…I have plenty of it! No need to rush anywhere. I draw, paint, design like a true artist should. Feels really good so far. In time I will share my adventures. Till then look out for what’s to come this year, and cop your special T’ at the TECH BY SUPERWOMEN EVENT!

 Tech Superwomen Austin, Texas
Saturday, March 10 at 9:30 a.m.,  //Austin Convention Center (room 9 ABC).

To celebrate International Women’s Day (March 8th) The Lower East Side Girls Club has invited New York City’s most talented artists to participate in a first of it’s kind art showcase to benefit the Lower Eastside Girls Club – an organization that provides a place for girls and young women in New York to learn the skills and confidence needed to help make a difference in the world. The gallery opening will be held at The Brooklyn Brothers art gallery (18 E. 17th street, 7th floor) on Thursday March 8. The public will enjoy free cocktails and views of the work. After the opening event the gallery will remain open to the public until April 30th, showcasing the work from 10am – 6pm. NYC artists currently include SWOON, David LaChappelle,TOOFLY, Sasha Nialla and more! These artists are participating and donating work. The proceeds of each piece will go to charity to benefit the Lower Eastside Girls Club. Our new green, state-of-the-art Lower Eastside Girls Club Center for Community (http://girlsclub.org/building) is scheduled to be completed sometime mid this year and will include everything from a planetarium and two-story library to a photography and art studio! This place is going to be ridiculously cool and the proceeds from the donated art will help develop the programming to match! Check out photos of the ground breaking ceremony plus images of the fundraiser painting party I had the honor of taking part in. Proud of the LES GIRLS CLUB!!! To learn more about The Girls Club, check out : http://girlsclub.org/

The ground-breaking ceremony was graced with a parade of politicians and dignitaries including Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Council Member Rosie Mendez, Borough President Scott Stringer. The loudest applause greeted actress and neighborhood celebrity Rosario Dawson as she excitedly told how she looked forward to working in The Girls Club library.

I’m really inspired by this project, and enjoyed working with the Lower East Side Girls club last summer at their painting party fundraiser as we created backdrop panels for the new building location alongside Nicolina, Marthalicia, Cece, and Lenora Jane. Wish I can make the opening, I’ll be there in spirit:) Have fun ladies!!!

The Brooklyn Brothers Gallery
18 E. 17th street, 7th floor
Opening Thursday March 8, 2012
March 8th-April 30th // Gallery Public Hours: 10am – 6pm.

Hello world!!! Sorry I’ve been out of touch for a bit. More news about that soon, but first I want to give you guys a little update on the new book release I ‘m taking part in for March 2012. I’m pretty excited about it because I have the opportunity to work with a wonderful team of publishing professionals + come together for a really fun stop animation mini movie with photographer Hank O’ Neal. I’m also super excited that I will be painting live in NY at the end of March for the book release event. More details about that soon. Sending Hank, Ken, Benjamin, and Amit a big ((( THANK YOU ))) See you guys soon!!!

Juxtapoz Magazine Book Review.

One of the dopest book covers I have ever been part of:)

Better late than never! None the less it’s time to drop the ball on ya:) drumrolllllll…2012 marks a whole new chapter in our lives. My love and I have decided to switch things up this year and take a one way ticket to SOUTH AMERICA!!! yeah baby woohoo!!! We’re super excited that we can make this happen. Especially this year, when the energy of change is in the air everywhere you go. We feel extremely thankful to the mighty powers that be that we are able to set sail and create this adventure together. In the last few years we have been working towards living a much simpler life. Where we no longer have “things” weigh us down but instead focus a lot more on the value of our time, and how we spend it doing what we love, and with those we love. We’ve learned to travel light, and in light anywhere we go. Here’s to a Happy New Year in the the sunshine!!!

My new pocket sketchbooks have arrived!!! I love these little sketchbooks. I had to do a new series because the first one sold like hot cakes. The new series features the love warrior, a limited edition of (50) signed and numbered by yours truly. ENJOY!:)

Available exclusively at www.tooflynyc.com/shop

Sending a big (((THANK YOU))) to our friends and family for attending our 3rd Ladies Love Project Holiday Pop-Up Shop event this year. We are so proud of bringing our community together to enjoy each others creative spirit, love, and support. Much respect to the artists, musicians, vendors, and media folks who make it possible for us to rock the holiday fun with talent and skill. group hug to our LLP team & friends who helped us pull it all together. Thank you Brecht Forum, & thanks again to everyone who showed LLP maaaaad love. Till next year!!!

READY TO ROCK…

GOOD WOOD NYC

TOOFLY NYC

MASAHIRO

Beautiful original art…

DAHLIA SOLEIL

JUNKPRINTS

LIL EGO

MARKA 27

VANILLA MEDALLIONS

PAPERSOUL.  Shout out to Tina G from PaperSoul for rocking my love design as a Tattoo! HOTNESS.

LIPSTICK MANIFESTO

ANTONIO KEL 5MH  &  YLOVE57

We got an LLP lounge this year! Great time to catch up with the hommies;)

AL SALONSITO

Nails Did!

PINK EYE & TF repping that Good Wood NYC…

JENNY KINNS CUPCAKES

LADIES LOVE RPOEJCT

CONCRETE ROSE

WONDER LEE

CIRCA95

URBANATABEX

PROJECT GIRLZ

PROJECT GIRLZ. I’m so proud!:) Great job ladies…

MARTHALICIA

SHIRLEY RODRIGUEZ

REBELUTION PRINTING

MI-ISLA COQUITO.

SHANA LOVES ALL – TAROT

ALEXANDRA CASULA

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!
Shout out to Samantha Morales for the lovely photos!!! © Samantha Morales Photography 2011
www.samanthamorales.com

It’s a WRAP! time to wrap the presents:)

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Finally all caught up to the NYC grind. Happy to be home, happy to have completed one last painting mission this year. Art Basel 2011 was amazing! WOW. There is so much to see so much to do during Art Basel weekend. Some of the walls in the Wynwood District are spectacular pieces of work. Every time I passed one I wondered how can it get any better than this? These walls are HUGE!!! It’s mind blowing. If you ever make it out there in December I guarantee you will be inspired, but note…you will be ART BASELED OUT! By the second day I couldn’t take it it anymore. There’s only so much art you can look at before it all starts looking the same. It’s a good thing the other wonderful thing to do during Art Basel is hit Miami Beach! Great time to unwind under the sun, and enjoy the company of your traveling buddies. Throw in a Mojito or two, dine on some peruvian ceviche con mucho limon, and inhale-exhale. Mmmmm life is good….

I can’t get enough of boomboxes. Anyone else? I think I have a Boombox fetish now. Love them…

BIG!

EARSNOT, repping NYC graff…

These dudes are dope…

RETNA IS AMAZING!!!

Few & Far Miami, FL 2011 – Check the post here!

Shout out to our NY peeps who made it to Basel this year; Tony Peralta, Leo Vasquez, Werds, Kano, DJ Chela, Rico, Shiro, Cern, Sabio, Damian, Mike, and many more!

Got a chanece to support the fellas URNY crew at their solo show Breaking & Entering….

Proud of ya’ll! Come a long way from the Soho streets…

Silly street art shots…

Good to see everyone making moves at Basel…GET IT IN!!!

2nd Ave strolls…Loved this piece…

Happy homegirl Izzy troooped it from LA to check out the event. Shout out to Karen who joined us on the trip and gave us a run for the laugh attacks! HAHAHHAH still laughing…

MIAMI BEACH – RELAX DAY…

“A man travels the world in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.” – George Moore
Love this quote! No matter how wonderful a place, or how much of a good time I have during my travels there’s nothing like coming home to love…

Helllllllo Miami!!! I made it back this year to rock a collabo wall with the Few & far graff/street art ladies. It was such a blast to get together again, and rep the ONLY ALL WOMEN WALL at ART BASEL. Super proud of that. It’s been a long time coming since 2003 when the NYC graff ladies got together to rock an all women wall at the Graffiti Hall of Fame. Thanks to Lady Pink “herstory” was made. As I think back to those days, and check out the flicks today, I can say I am proud of how far it’s come. Women everywhere are getting together and creating the environment they want. A cipher that’s at peace with one another, creative, and fun. It’s all I ever wanted, and I’m happy to keep the tradition alive for those loving hearts I meet along the way…

Here’s to today, tomorrow and beyond!!!! FEW & FAR MIAMI, FL 2011

Black book breaks…

weather is sweet, and the sunshine spent the day kissing each one of us…it was a lovely weekend to paint…

whadddddddddup Oakland!!! Happy to see all our Cali peeps in Miami. We said we were doing Miami and we did it YEAH BABY!!!

Happy my sister came thru from Orlando to spend time with big sis. LOVE YOU TONS sweetie pie!!! Thanks Britney for rolling thru and keeping her company while I painted away…

Speedy Gonzalez moves…2 hours…3hours…4hours…

Photo by Gloria Muriel

Shout out to my girlz Izzy and Karen for taking the troop to Miami this year! Hella good times, crazy laugh attacks, we def doing it up next year X 3 FUN!!! Thanks ladies:)

Photo by Gloria Muriel

I finally got to meet Tati! Really dig her characters. Happy she’s in Brooklyn see you soon!!!

from sunrise to sunset…

Shiro, Tati, Toofly getting ready for our sunset photo shot with Martha Cooper…

Can’t wait to see Martha’s final flick. Thanks Martha!!! xoxo Day 1 for me complete. Back tomorrow for final details and group shot pic…

DAY 2 RISE & SHINE!

Ready for day#2. Music blasting, here we goooooooo!

Wall is looking good…love the colors…love the pieces/character combos…

Vanessa is born ready…

Photo by Gloria Muriel

Maggs placing in the details…FOCUSED!

Brush work ladies don’t play…watch out!

Dime you killed it!!! Fresh piece homie:)

ITS A WRAP!

Photo by Erin Ashford

Time to click away and take home our moments of (((happiness)))

Ksra, Toofly, Meme. ( Final wall flick coming soon )

Shout out to founder, and organizer of Few & Far MEME.  Your dedication to the crew and women collective rocks home girl. Your doing a great job, we’re having tons of fun! THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE!!!:)

FEW & FAR MIAMI FL, 2011!

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever does” – Margaret Mead

Thank you Miami! Till next time XOXO.  – Art Basel Re-Cap flicks here

this year the Few and Far  ladies hit Miami for the infamous Miami Art Basel!!! Flicks coming soon…

FEW & FAR™ @Primary Flight in Miami Art Basel
Artists: Meme , Ksra , Glow, Hops, Reds, Tatiana Suarez, Amandalynn, Lady Mags, Gloria Muriel, Erin Yoshi, TooFly, Dime, Agana, and 179.
DEC 1st – 4th
554 NW 24th Street, Miami, FL 33127
sponsored by: Ironlak  and Nomads

Primary Flight is Miami’s original open air museum and street level mural installation that takes place annually throughout the Wynwood Arts District and the Miami Design District. Primary Flight is arguably the world’s largest event of its kind, having featured over 250 world class artists from around the globe since its inception, the majority of whom travel to Miami during Art Basel. Artists from all walks of contemporary art headline our annual event, collaborating on high profile walls throughout Miami’s urban landscape. Maps outlining the installation are circulated, providing patrons with an opportunity to view the works in progress.

Got some of my work in Miami’s Art Basel this year! Check out the Fountain Art Fair showcasing Mighty Tanaka Gallery artist Dec 1-4th. Details below…

FOUNTAIN ART FAIR/ MIGHTY TANAKA GALLERY
December 1 – December 4, 2011 // 12pm – 7pm, every day
Location: 2505 N. Miami Ave (at the corner of 25th St)

SOLD!

Grow in Silence // 13 X 11″ // Acrylic on Cardboard // Year Created: 2010 – THANK YOU MIGHTY TANAKA GALLERY!:)

Art Basel Miami: From December 1 through 4, Miami Beach, Florida, will host the 10th edition of Art Basel Miami Beach, the most prestigious art show in the Americas. More than 260 leading galleries from North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa will take part, showcasing works by more than 2,000 artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Fountain Art Fairis an exhibition of avant garde artwork in New York during Armory week, Miami during Art Basel Miami Beach and Los Angeles during Pacific Standard Time weekend.

Mighty Tanaka is an organization committed to serving the arts and artists in New York City and beyond through a dedicated curatorial effort. We are devoted to the advancement of breakthrough art forms that express our generation’s voice and steadfastness. Through our presentation of highly skilled curatorial services and projection of artists that demonstrate the range and breadth of our upstart generation, we strive to create an integral foundation for both upcoming and established artists alike. Mighty Tanaka is driven by urban inspiration and is constantly clearing the way for this growing artistic renaissance to expand beyond the gallery walls and into our personal lives.

Press Release below:

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Natural environments are hard to come by in this cold grey city, but if I can’t make a trip upstate, a 15 min subway ride to Central Park will do. All the leaves have changed colors, and are falling down by the second. It’s a very pretty sight. Especially when the leaves twinkle down from trees, swirl around with the breeze, and slowly fall to the ground…gently. As I strolled through tunnels, and trails my mind wondered about the immense possibilities ahead. Nature is the ultimate guide, in it’s presence everything makes sense…

rock break, rock tunes…

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. – Anatole France

Sound of Art is currently showcasing our work at 350 Wadsworth Ave in a brand new luxury building uptown Manhattan. It’s a great opportunity to view 6 floors of beautiful apartments, and check out/purchase fly works by yours truly, Tony Peralta, and Joe Buck. Mi Casa es tu Casa exhibit will run during the month of November. Open House hours Tuesday 6-8pm, and Saturdays 1-4pm. If your in the neighborhood check it out! Contact Leo Vasquez for more info: submittosoa@gmail.com

Classy space, balcony views, rooftop decks…

I finally got a chance to frame my cardboard works for this event:)

reception sponsored by Heineken…

UNBREAKABLE is back on the market! Finally tracked it down from mofo thieves…

A new generation of young professional, uptown collectives, making moves to “DEFEND UPTOWN” No gentrification allowed up here!

M. Tony Peralta

Let the holiday art sale season begin!!! Available Toofly works: HERE

Brrrr it’s officially cold in NY and it’s SNOWING. The seasons are most definitely changing, and at a much quicker pace. Glad I had a chance to finish up this wall before the weather madness! So…I’ve been a fan of Moderno for a long time now, it’s one of my fav spots to eat in Brooklyn. They make a delicious Pollo al Vino in lemon wine sauce that just I can’t live without. Their $3 mojitos are off the hook too, and every now and then it’s the place to be with my hommies. We’ve all become good friends with Wilson, owner, and fellow Ecuadorian who used to make classic ecua grub here. I still ask him “Que paso con la guatita en el menu?” Of course it’s easy to understand that most of his customers these days have no clue what that is. In time the menu had to be switched up for those condo loving trust fund kids who pushed out families that ordered that shit! Sigh…gentrification yes. What’s happened to Williamsburg in the last 10 years is upsetting to many of us, but that’s “New York” for ya! Change is inevitable everywhere and anywhere. So in celebration of this, and with an open heart…”Let there be death & let there be life” – repeat.

Photo by Hector Cruz ©2011

Big ups to my cousin Clef for helping me on the wall! YOU ROCK. xoxo

Photo by Jose Rodriguez © 2011

Photo by ©Jose Rodriguez 2011

Shout out to my virgo twin Jose from LatinoLife, and Fabian with his lovely family who stopped by for the process. Thanks guys!!! – Photo by Hank O’Neal ©2011

lunch break yummyness. Thank you Wilson for the wall and your delicious mexican/ecua comfort food:)

Putting in the finishing touches – Photo by Hank O’Neal ©2011

It’s a Wrap! – Photo by Hector Cruz ©2011 thanks for the lovely flicks Hecks…

Special sshout out to photographer Hank O’Neal who came thru for some portrait sessionz for his upcoming book XCIA. Super happy to be part of it, and the animation project collaboration. It’s going to be fantastic!!! Thank youuuuuuuu Hank;)

LET THERE BE DEATH. LET THERE BE LIFE.

Feliz dia de los Muertos.
The Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico can be traced back to the indigenous cultures. Rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors have been observed by these civilizations perhaps for as long as 2,500–3,000 years. In the pre-Hispanic era, the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth have created an array of imagery especially the image of a skull found in various art works, illustrations, graphic designs, and handmade crafts.