TOOFLY NYC

Mural Installation in Dumbo Brooklyn for Project Art! Trying to diversify my stylez in art & design for my STAY TRU clients.  Shout out to @Mistadrumin for the art assistance, baked oven pizza, and laughs. Thank you Adarsh and team at Project Art. Doing great things for youth in various communities across the USA.

 

Thanks gang! #TEAMWORK

I started this sketch back in 2017, and the idea unfolded as the new year set in. I thought she would be dope for #WomensHistoryMonth during my trip to NY in March. The rest is herstory! Don;t miss it. ONE DAY ONLY March 10th, 2018 7-11PM. UPTOWN NY at Taller Peralta.

The new year brings a fresh and new start. It was time to get to work! I have been in construction mode for 1/2 the year on the 2FL art studio and I couldn’t wait any longer to get started on my large canvas works. I set up shop on the 1st floor and began to work. SKY is one of my favorite inks from the Love Warrior series a project I have been working on ever since i moved out of the US and back in to my native land of Ecuador. It is now year 6 living here and I could not be happier. I have had nothing but good fortune on an array of things in life since I moved out of NY. Happy and thankful I took the dive. Unsure when this series will come to an end I feel like its still growing and has much to day. Inspired by TRUE LOVE.

I LOVE TO TRAVEL!!! Especially with my dearest family and friends. This year we had so much to celebrate that I decided to treat my mom to a vacation! One that she would absolutely love and we can visit various places like ruins, beach, cenotes, and more. It was a beautiful trip I love the Yucatan. I super enjoyed it with my two most adored people in the world.  Appreciate your loved ones!!! and your time on beautiful parts of the planet before its really all too late. Time waits for no-one.

HAPPY NEW YEAR BITCHES!!!!

Whoa! The year is about to come to end once more. What a year!!! I personally was having a great one until mercury retrograde knocked on my door. All good. Gotta take the good and the bad and make it work. I don’t like it when the reality of life rains on my parade. I work very hard to keep things in order as to avoid all conflict but sometimes it likes to mess with me. I decided to head down to Miami and see my friends and avoid it the bad vibes. Family dramas or conflicts are unavoidable in life unfortunately.  It’s a good thing I was in a rooftop pool with my friends when it all went down. The infamous e-mails where you let out all your feelings as raw as possible so it can drill into your family’s head that they suck. I swam it all away that day. Even the tears. No regrets. It needed to be said now or later It be that way sometimes right? — The good, the very good thing I do well for my own sanity is “LET GO” It’s an amazing trait to have. I personally can let things go much easier these days. I easily close doors on fucked up shit in life and move right on. I do not anything waste my time anymore. If it doesn’t work it doesn’t work. I know how short life is and how precious it is and unless its full of the good stuff I don’t need it.

Miami was the perfect place to be when dealing with the family drama. The sunshine, the water, my friends, the meals, the parties, the fun! I love to have fun. It makes me happy and it gives me peace. Anyways, at some point the family stuff works itself out. Or not? Either way each of us keeps pushing forward with what feels good what feels right and what truly matters. Everything else can fall back. Care less or care more where necessary to keep life in balance. That’s why my friends are my true family and always have been. Blood doesn’t mean a damn thing. It’s a good thing Art Basel was spent at one of my BFF’s home because it made even more sense who I need to be around. So yes, Art basel was cool for this reason and many more. I was not busy painting, or showcasing any work. It gave me time to spend with my dear friends, enjoy the simple things in life, and enjoy the moment. It was dope! I recommend everyone to check out Art Basel during December especially if you live in NY and need a break from the winter cold. A special shout out to all my hommies who made the trip there to link up and boogie, especially my BBF Mr. @LatinoLife who made our stay amazing!!! Every luxury you can imagine, was all that and more!

Hello December! I think we finally figured out that December is the best time to host our annual Ladies Love Project Holiday Pop-Up Shop. We used to host it every November but it’s a very busy month for travel. We have lost count as this is our 10+ pop-up shop since Patty Dukes and I started it back in 2017. Each year it get’s better and more organized. Our LLP crew has changed but the love is still all there. Our vendor roster has reached 60+ and have to now rotate each year, Unfortunately we can not all fit in one location with the increasing rents in NY. We like to keep our vendor fees reasonable,  and curating tight. At some point the perfect location will pop-up for many more to be involved until then we are happy that The Living Gallery in Bushwick Brooklyn can fit most of us. Thank you to all who support the project we are happy to keep growing and visiting new cities in 2018. Stop and and celebrate the holiday season with us! #shoplocal #shopsmall and #shophandmade

I haven’t released a new print in a minute. Unsure when will be the next print release but until then you can cop the latest 18′X24″ print of “SKY” with @sugarpressart An edition of ( 20 ) 10 Black, and 10 Pink for $125 a % of proceeds go to “Vivir Sin Miedo” Charity/Fundraiser in Ecuador. Read more about it on their site. You can only get the print on their site while supplies last. Thank you Sugar Press!

There’s a new line of work that is developing “Rebel & Rise” It’s a black, white, and red graphic art collection. It started with some marker drawings one day and then I decided to make a tote. Now I have a love icon tank top, 4″ sticker, and a button 4pack to add to the collection. It will grow into a few more designs as time moves forward. Enjoying the process and what develops.

The TYO X TOOFLY collectible this year released at Designer Con was a nice surprise to a community of folks who love the Toofly goodz. Shout out to Phil who worked on 30 exclusive limited pieces. Small enough to fit in your palm of your hand! I love small items. Happy with the way it came out:) A few are now available on the TOOFLY SHOP!

Wow! Designer Con this year was huge! I’ve never seen those very long lines before. It’s a good sign. This independent arts culture is growing. We’re out there and people love it! This year was particularly fun because The Ladies Love Project got an opportunity to set up shop with Crewest Studios. They sponsored 3 artists; Toofly, Ritzy P, and Nisha K Sembi from California. Our treo did a great job. It was the first time we had ever teamed up and we had a good time! Thank you everyone that came thru the booth to support and enjoy. Thank you Crewest Alex, and Scott and the entire staff for hooking up the booth this year! Good times.

Until next time!

And just like that it’s time to wrap up the year! 1st stop Los Angeles, CA — geared up and ready for the Ladies Love Project Pop-Up Shop sponsored by Crewest Studios. On Saturday November 9th we kick-off the DCON party at Escala in Korea Town. Everyone is invited!!! Ritzy P, myself, and Nisha K Sethi are teaming up to rock a fly booth with original works of art, live art, limited edition prints, gear, goodies, and much more. Follow our IG pages for the inside scoop and behind the scenes action. We will be at the Crewest Studios Booth #1708 for 2 days! Stop by and check us out. Press Release below.

Sometimes my travels are not all filled with fun. There are important matters to take care of and I make the effort just the same. I testified last week and did my best. I can not talk about the case at this time but I do want to mention that we are standing for what we believe in. You can follow the news articles online for some insight into the case. We’re making history. Shout out to friends and artists who stand for the culture that raised us and we believe in.

qz.com

www.nytimes.com/2017

www.nydailynews.com

#Justicefor5Pointz

Made a quick stop this fall to work on a wall installation in Yonkers, NY for Soyo Nails. I got a chance to use the water based MTN Colors SprayPaint on a gig at last! I tried it out at the Grafiteras exhibit and now I had the opportunity to work more with it. I like it. It’s great spray paint for indoor use because of it’s low odor. It did spread into the air like other spray paint materials so we had to make sure to keep areas like the floor and tables covered with plastic. I liked that I was able to work with acrylic and blend into it. Covering large areas in half the time helps so much with aerosol especially with a watercolor theme direction. The soft palette allowed me to blend the soft color tones and tie in the nail salon brand colors. I am used to dark, black, hard graphic line work but as I move forward with my client work it gives me the opportunity to try new styles and effects. Shout out to my assistant on the gig Daniella Harris who helped out on the logo and many of the production set-up. Having assistance is the bomb! There are so many details involved that you just can’t do alone. Having a team is important and every year we get tighter and tighter. I am also able to mentor D, and motivate her as she pursues a career in the arts which helps me continue my Project Girlz work. Thank you Jenna for reaching out to me online to work on your salon walls. Walls look beautiful! Grand opening soon —>  Follow @soyonails on IG.