TOOFLY NYC

I have to put this blog post together quick! Off to London in a few hours. November is one crazy month ya’ll. This past weekend I had a chance to paint at the 5th annual Public Art Project called “GRAFFF” I was invited by a lovely artist that goes by the name of Vera. I met her at the MTN wall in Quito a few weeks ago. Super sweet! She is one of the main organisers and directors for the project where 15+ international and local artist participate in mixed media art pieces. From murals, to street art, to dance performances. The project is growing, and the walls are getting bigger too. It was a huge task to take on this long long wall, but I gave it my best, and tried something new. Love how it came out! As soon as I get more flicks from event and the rest of the artist walls I will add. Unfortunately because I was squeezed for time I had not chance to take shots of the the rest of the event, and walls:(

Gracias Vera por la invitacion! La mejor parte de los eventos es tambien conocer al resto de los artistas. Buena onda todos, fue un gusto conocer a todos! 

TOOFLY, AMBATO ECUADOR 2013

Thank you GRAFFF!

TOOFLY NABS BROOKLYN FOR FALL SHOWCASE!

Renowned Street Artist TOOFLY Debuts the “LOVE WARRIOR” Showcase at Brooklyn’s Fresthetic Gallery

BROOKLYN, New York—October 21st, 2013—A month from now, world renowned female graffiti artist, designer, and activist, Maria “TOOFLY” Castillo will unveil her LOVE WARRIOR series at Bushwick’s own Fresthetic Gallery on Thursday, November 21, 2013. The community is abuzz about TOOFLY; thus making her opening an anticipated yet intimate art celebration in Brooklyn. Held from 6PM to 10PM, arts enthusiasts, tastemakers, press and friends will get to view five years of existing and new works by TOOFLY, admiring a palpable presence of feminine power immersed in the spiritual. The mixed media artist livens up recycled materials with handstyles, fierce women, and native patterns to tap back into her “roots”.

LOVE WARRIOR is a new direction of work for TOOFLY. The series, started a few years ago, boasts images of sensual, strong, indigenous women painted in gray tones, decorated with warrior markings to describe the deep reserves of strength women inherit from their ancestors and experiences.

Thus, it appears that the artist’s infamous “New York City graffiti-girl” character illustration, a staple for galleries, walls and some notable global brands, has matured. This is in part due to living in both North and South America, where TOOFLY explores art, feminism and spirituality from a different perspective—one deeply rooted in her Ecuadorian heritage that marries her upbringing on the streets of New York City.

With that, the “back to your roots” message emerges in the LOVE WARRIOR series, with the use of recycled materials as an added element. It’s an ode to a simpler time when powerful art in New York was created on typically discarded items and urban surfaces. Yet, LOVE WARRIOR isn’t about wildstyle; it’s paying homage to forgotten indigenous cultures in a technologically obsessed world. Still, technology’s loss is TOOFLY’s gain as she captures the depth of women on paper, canvas, wood, and cardboard materials discovered on New York City streets. The show’s attendees will experience a cultural mixed media experience through native designs, religious iconography, and graffiti marks as each woman depicts a story. Classic handstyles lay a finishing touch on these amazing works, emitting cryptic wisdom such as  “Grow in Silence,” “Respect,” and her most admired piece, “WHAT WE LOVE WE GROW TO RESEMBLE.”

“This new series taps into the soul’s purpose to love, create, and become free,” says TOOFLY while sketching new works. Just before finishing she adds–“artists can’t afford to lose our legacy at the expense of commodification”. Those of us in touch with our hearts know it’s time to go back to our roots. For me, that foundation is love.”

Images of a few works to be displayed can be seen here and here.

Read more

It’s that time again! LLP team is gearing up for HOLIDAY 2013. Ready to bring you all a wonderful community event that supports independent artists and designers for a 1 day pop-up shop! Shop local, shop handmade, and support local economies this Holiday. See you soon!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates!

Read more

Hellllllllla photos to post from Oakland trip. I had a really nice time. It was mellow with lot’s of action in between. I want to send a warm thank you to Favianna for hosting me, feeding me, and locking in me on all this wonderful projects along with Erin Yoshi and Julio. I got to meet some wonderful souls like Chris R who’s work is super amazing and who’s healthy organic breakfast with a side of yogi chats put me in a total different mindset. I am inspired by all the wonderful minds in this town and the weather is a super +! I shall be back…

The fun continued with an invitation to Estria Graffiti Jam at the Castlemont High School on Sunday. Many of the Few & Far gals were in town so we we locked down a corner at the school and painted for a few hours. The wall was a sandy orange color which worked lovely with our left over can scraps.

Mike Bam and the little artist cruising crew!

Toofly. Dime, and Agana got to wall early so we decided to rock a 3X collabo. Went a graphic route because we only had 5 hours to complete. Came out pretty dope!

#LATINSOULSISTERS Photo by Miguel “Bounce”

TOOFLY OAKLAND CA 2013 baby!

Round 2 for Toofly and Dime!  First time we rocked together was in Oakland back in….2011? time flies…

Erin Yoshi having some fun under the sun:)

Chri R got a chance to paint and add his mandala native feathers piece on Erin and Glows character. So beautiful! Miiiiiiisssssssss you my brother from anotha!

Blackbook sessions…

Few & Far gals re-united for a day in East Oakland, California. Agana, Meme, Glow, Dime, Erin Yoshi, and TF

I got a lot done in one week! Fall season is definitely one of the busiest times of the year. Enjoying moments to sketch and reflect are just as important as the work if not more. This is where all the ideas develop, and where all understanding reflects back to show you if you are following your purpose and doing the “good” work. My soul has known which way to sail and who to sail with for a while now. Intuition the almighty compass! IT KNOWS. It will guide you, and it will warn you. I am thankful to work with some amazing friends these days who are vibrating in the right direction. Little by little I am meeting more and more of you “warriors of love” and it feels great! Thank you my friends <3 

Happy to be heading back to California this year. It’s been a minute! This year I will be working with an amazing woman, friend, artist Favianna Rodriguez. We met a few years ago in NY when she was showcasing her prints in El Barrio. I love her work, and the great activism projects she has lead with the Culture Strike group. I am happy to be in full support of her migrations butterfly project which will take place at the Life is Living festival on Saturday October, 12th in Oakland Ca. We will be painting beautiful butterfly pieces for a public street art project about the human right to move. Proud to be part of it and super excited to see everyone! Especially Erin Yoshi, Estria, Glow, Nancy Pilli, Brett Cook Disney, The Few & Far girls, and many more. See you guys soon! ((( Many Thanks )))

Nancy Pili, Estria, Erin Yoshi, and the gang setting off the Estria Battle at the Life is Living Festival.

Favianna Rodriguez/Culture Strike kicking knowledge about what is happening in this country to undocumented immigrants and the crazy laws being passed that many of our friends and family may soon have to deal with. It is a serious time, and we have to use our art to spread these messages to the public at large. Graff is dope and all but we gotta start using our talent to educate folks and spread powerful messages to our community. Our art can be deeper, powerful, and more meaningful to all. DREAM! MIGRATE! LIVE!

Toofly, Glow, Dime

Time for some action!

We’re almost ready!

Strolling through event and found some vendors I love!

Agana ready to rep for the ladies as the only girl out of 14 artists male artists participating!? We need to work on this on the next one…

Blackbook battles with the funky cool youth.

Gloria rock’n her beautiful Butterfly. Migration is TRANSFORMATION!

Great to see all of Oakland beautiful peeps.

Voila! MIGRATON IS FREEDOM/LIBERTAD – Because I am flying back in forth between North America and South America these days the freedom to live this way is def where it’s at. FREEDOM FOR ALL!!! We should have the right as human beings searching for a better life to live wherever we want.

Mary Jane in the house! Nice to finally meet ya. Rocked a nice logo for them earlier this year.

Doves NYC reppin…characters letters background….

Miguel lindo! aka BOUNCE #trustyourstruggle hommie…gotta me time to hang next time.

Doze Green and the gang…Congrats to Vile for the win! 400 Montana cans what! I may just have to get in on this battle next time…it was actually all good and fun. Slowly getting over the idea of a competition…wouldn’t mind winning  400 cans!

It’s a wrap! Thank you Culture Strike <3

Why can’t we make people understand that we can enjoy life? – Phylilis Lun

Thank you Life is Living Festival, Oakland Ca!

Thank you Culture Strike and Estria Foundation!

Heading to Oakland next week. Gearing up. Lot’s to do while I am there. I’ve been preparing for this Pecha Kucha slide presentation for days now and I think I am finally ready for it. Eeeeek! Wish me luck…

Pecha Kucha Night Oakland!
Thursday, October 10, 2013 // 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM

The New Parkway Theater
474 24th Street // Oakland, 94612
Pecha Kucha, San Francisco <—- purchase your tickets!
Facebook Event Link

PechaKucha 20×20 is a simple presentation format where you show 20 images, each for 20 seconds. The images advance automatically and you talk along to the images. The presentation format was devised by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Klein Dytham architecture. The first PechaKucha Night was held in Tokyo in their gallery/lounge/bar/club/creative kitchen, SuperDeluxe, in February, 2003. Klein Dytham architecture still organize and support the global PechaKucha Night network and organize PechaKucha Night Tokyo.

PECHA KUCHA NIGHT in OAKLAND! DJ Agana and Erin Yoshi kicking off a wonderful event weekend.

Fun space. Lounge chairs, popcorn, and the buzz it up service. Super nice! I think I want to plan something like this back in the motherland…

Great presenters on this night. Marc Bamuthi Joseph setting it off. Co-Founder of Life is Living Festival! 

Eeek! TF time. Rock’n it out…

Bigging up our Graffiti Women: Lady Pink, Younity, Ladies Love Project, Few & Far

Favianna Rodriguez – Migration is Beautiful. Speaking the truth!!!

Nancy Pili Hernandez: Water Writes/Estria Foundation represent! Lot’s of wonderful folks doing great things for the community.

To close out the night ETHIOPIAN grub!  

On Monday October 7th there will be a fundraiser for an amazing organization called GROUNDSWELL at Christie’s Auction House with an great list of artists like; Lady Pink, Lee Quinones, Ricky Powell, Jose Parla, Daze, Swoon, Ricardo Cortes, and more . My latest print “ARISE” from the Love Warrior series will showcase in support. If you would like to purchase tickets, place a bid, and get more information visit: www.groundswellmural.org/benefit

All proceeds support Groundswell (groundswellmural.org) and its work to bring together artists, youth, and community organizations to use art as a tool for social change. Online bidding is available beginning September 23 at 10am EST. —> ARTWORK BIDS

VIP time! fashionably late that is. All good we made it, and just about everyone arrived to check out the exhibit. Very happy with the whole set-up, and display of our works. The cranberry drinks were great, and the complimentary pizza hit the spot. It was super nice to see everyone, especially those faces I haven’t seen in a while. Shout out to the Redbull team in NYC. Great show!

wrapping up the virgo season, and enjoying the last days of summer with my closest friends. Happy and at peace with the flow of the evening. Gathering the troops is a mission and a half sometimes but all worth it. Love all you guys!

OOooh la la…the lighting makes these cooler look so FRESHHHHHHHH!

Lovely photo opp by Alexandra Henry with Mike from Fresthetic. We’re building and preparing for a fall showcase this November. Stay tuned!

Damn who would’nt want to own one of these coolers they’re so dope! – Photos by Alexandra Henry

Been sooooooo long! I was happy to see Kenny at the event. Thank you KEN SWIFT:)

Cooler by our homegirl Sofia Maldonado. – Photo by Alexandra Henry

Getting the Redbull cranberry vodka drink on!

URNY and 2FLY reppn’ for the night…

Thank you everyone!!! Had a blast that night glad we got a chance to jam it out on the dancefloor at Bembe. Good times!!! See ya in November.

The Redbull Canvas Cooler Project was a great opportunity to head back to New York and enjoy the last days of summer. I got a chance to paint, hangout with friends, and celebrate my Birthday:) It was a lovely September NYC trip. Glad I accepted the invitation. The Redbull Curates team set it off this year in Bushwick Brooklyn. Yeah…that once overlooked neighborhood where nobody wanted to live. AH! the inner city boroughs are changing a whole lot. Brooklyn is the hot new gentrified spots to live in these days. It is not surprising that many hi-profile companies are tapping in. There’s almost no reason to head into the city anymore. Crazy right?! It feels like our artist energy is at fault sometimes. We try to live in cheaper rent zones but then our creative wheels turn to improve the neighborhood and then sooner than you can blink lofts and condos take over and push you, and your friends out. So unfair! What are you gonna do. Gotta vent, speak the truth and use our work to educate folks. As much as I agreed to be part of this project I will make sure to take the chance to express my feelings of it all at the end of the day. To learn more about why I chose to paint this image and the story behind it check out the blog post —> DEATH & REBIRTH

“LET LOVE RAISE YOUR ENERGY” Death and Rebirth, Brooklyn NYC
I wasn’t fully prepared to rock my cooler, but I knew if I carved out a good 30min the night before to brainstorm some ideas it was gonna be all good. 4 panels. 8 hrs. I was happy with the result. I decided to illustrate an important image that is dear to me, along with a positive powerful message. The set-up was cool, and it was nice to meet and paint alongside artists I known for years and artists new to the scene. Some of them are really amazing illustrators which I love! Big ups to the ones who hold it down on the natural skills to draw, paint, and conceptualize something original. There’s no room in our book for anything else. My friend said it best: TRUE ARTISTRY over HYPE baby!!!

Zimad! Always sweet:)  loving the new work!!! Must plan a group showcase soon…

Sofia Maldonado!!! Lovely and sweet. Our conversation about what is happening in the art world these days was on point! We are on the same page hommie. I am happy we are both traveling and painting in our countries and exploring new avenues for our art:) Big hugz!

I personally loooove this cooler! So smart to work in the Redbull cans. If I had to vote I would have done so for this guy. Shout out to our friend Royce who came thru to check out the artists at work:)

There’s a lot of artists these days rock’n it out. It’s hard to keep track but meeting everyone was cool so I can finally put a face ot the art. Whew! Great meeting you all!

If you have felt this you know what I am talking about. Redbull Canvas Curates Event photos coming soon!

This past weekend I took a trip to the post office in the city, and found out that the MTN Ecuador Spray Paint launch was only 3 blocks away! It turns out that MTN will now be sold officially in Ecuador in various paint shops. I made that u-turn to check out what the event was all about, and ended up painting for 5hrs! I had no sketch, no camera, just 12 cans of the last colors that remained provided by MTN. I went for it with the classic TF warrior character steez. Shout out to my ecua hommies who helped lock down a wall for me; Sapin, Belu Loops, Dennis from Mugre Sur, Sudamerica peeps, and Blooky. I’m finally putting all the faces and names together to navigate the scene down here.  It’s taken me a while but little by little I’ll be able to build with everyone to try and organize something DOPE. Till then the “Guerillera de Amor” is on the scene, painting and making friends <3

Foto: Daniel Kuntur – Shout out to Vera for letting me use her bike to reach up! Shorty rocks gotta find a way…

Foto: Maria – When we figure out how to rock this women’s production, paint sponsorship, and location we will gather the gfraffiteras so look out!

Foto: Andrés “Sapín” Ramírez – Amigo querido on the scene since we met in 2005!:)

Foto: Rmnoby – Hommie from Guayaquil in chats about a wall in the near future. Cool pic:)

Steep! – I’m a big  fan of his work! When I waited for a wall to come thru I watched him paint with latex and spray . Amazeballs!

T-NAZ – Otavalo – Sweet guy! + very talented with the indigenous portraits of his people. We’re in chats about a possible wall in Otavalo in the next few months. One of my favorite artisan towns!


Blooky – Hommie who lived in Italy for a while, and now is back in the country. Helped lock down wall. Gracias amigo!

Quito ladies by “El Rojo” piece. An artist in town from spain, Dope detail! 

Thanks for the paint! thanks for the interviews!:)

Gracias a Carlos Pereira y el crew de MTN Ecuador! Big ups to the graffiti and street artists who participated in the event. Lot’s of talent here, and now that the paint is officially here and in almost all paint shops we can take our work to the next level!!! It’s a perfect time to be in Ecuador:)

Finally got around to finish one of my latest canvas works entitled “FREEDOM DREAMER” The process started a couple of months ago, but with all the traveling I had to do in NY  for spring and summer it had to put it on hold. There is nothing more I hate then to start a painting, and not finish it in a few days. It takes a long time to get back into the work. I have to slowly find my way back in, and grab hold of the flow I originally had when I started. It’s painstaking, but I did it. ((( Relieved )))  LOVE: the one true source of inspiration, and motivation…

FREEDOM DREAMER, 2013. Acrylic and Spraypaint on Canvas 19.75″ X 27.5″ – For inquiries contact: info@tooflynyc.com

“Paredes del Barrio” is a series of neighborhood walls I am working on during my stay in Ecuador and travels throughout Latin America. There are hundreds of walls to paint in this city, but I feel there is a need to share the stories behind them. Many of these places are special because of their cultural contribution to the community, but are being overlooked and targeted as sites to re-develop for “El Buen Vivir” campaign. Last year we saw how awful the city officials treated LAS MAMITAS DEL MERCADO. A farmers collective market that brought fresh, and organic produce to the neighborhood. They were forced to move from the location they held down for many years in order to make way for a small park with benches. There have been no gatherings at this park or community events. It is a beautifully designed, but deserted area with no access for locals to use creatively. The mercado on the other hand brought the neighborhood together because families shopped for their groceries and gathered to eat authentic Ecuadorian dishes. Why didn’t the city just give the mercado an upgrade and keep the tradition of shopping local? This is why money without care for community building doesn’t work. So with the help of our friend Kuntur; a local community organizer who loves his neighborhood – friends, and youth, will be continue its efforts in creating a visual voice for what is going on to keep these spaces alive.

Behind the walls of our latest project is a beautiful garden owned by a sweet old lady named Doña Teresa. In her day she was a key figure in this barrio, and community organizer like us. I have more to learn of her amazing story, but when she opened the doors to her garden we were in awe of her gem. She has hundreds of plants, herbs, and trees that date back more than 50 years. Something this neighborhood would greatly enjoy as a space to be with nature, read, and learn about. There is a lot of history here. We hope she comes around one of these days, and opens her garden to the community along with a little small coffee shop for the love birds. It takes a bit of work to bridge the age gap, and share our new ideas with older folks on this side of the world. In time we believe they will trust this new generation to help bring life back to their foundations. Visionaries from different times takes time, until then we shall paint!

Decided to keep Kuntur’s stencil “Seguimos En Resistencia” as part of the piece as we continue to resist against money and greed…

Special thanks to our neighborhood locals, and youth that helped us rock this wall. Babe and Ely too! Meeting the neighbors and young people interested in mural work is one of my favorite parts of creating street art in el barrio. Gracias amigos!

El Jardin de Doña Teresa…

It’s amazing what you can do with left over paint scraps in 6 hours!

Now I can walk down el barrio to get my favorite coco ice cream, almuerzo, encebollado and enjoy our new colorful strip! Hoping one day the garden is open and I can add a cafesito to my afternoon barrio stroll…

“Life is all about timing… the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable… attainable. Have the patience, wait it out It’s all about timing.” – Stacey Charter

  “Tough as Nails: Artwork from the Women of Few & Far Crew”
Opening Reception: Saturday, August 3 rd 2013, 6-10pm
Exhibit: Aug 3 rd - Sept 29 th , 2013
Press Contact: Kelsey Lannin- gallery@ArtPrimoSF.com

Few & Far is a collective of highly creative female graffiti artists from around the  world, working together to promote participation of women in typically male  dominated sub-cultures. They travel the globe connecting women through artistic  and social exchange, showcasing their art on walls and in the streets. “Tough as  Nails” is a representation of their collective belief that all women should feel encouraged to do what they love, despite gender imbalances found throughout society.

Art Primo SF Gallery works to showcase graffiti art in the gritty and subversive spirit out of which the subculture has grown. We strive to make artwork available  both to serious collectors and the general public, with affordable pricing and  public, all-age events. Our top priority is the preservation of anonymity for those  artists working with us who wish to keep their identity private. Art Primo SF Gallery is attached to the Art Primo SF graffiti art supply store, offering the best  selection of high quality street art supplies in the Bay Area. 

Back in the studio, and enjoying my morning ritual. I’m up at the crack of dawn to face my sketchbook and pour out my heart. I’ve been sketching quite a bit in the last year 1/2. The pencil drawings are my favorite because they allow me to use shades and tones to focus in on the emotions of the piece. I recently started using my ink pens again, which helps to “finalize” the work. The graphic lines are great for sharpening the illustration, and possibly adding color. Which means a possible new wall pieces? print series? canvas works? or T-designs? dunno yet…for now I am having fun on paper. I am inspired, and in love again which is all that matters right now…