TOOFLY NYC

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.

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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!

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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 

 

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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!

 

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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!  

 

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