TOOFLY NYC

“Of Women by Women” group exhibition curated by Wendy Horwitz at The Storefront Project gallery in the Lower East side. Dec 12 – Dec 22, 2019

“NY State of Mind” Acryilic on NYC metal street sign, 2017

One of my last projects this year was the Mary J Blige X Emojam promotion in celebration of her #MyLife25 album. Released in 1994 – songs that bring back a lot of memories for me and hopeless romantics alike. I was hired to create 16 illustrations and handstyles that would be animated with music. To be used as gif emojis on your phone by downloading the emojamapp. How fun right!?! It made my day to see Mary J herself share the release of the project on her instagram stories. SOoooo dope! Check it out…

After the Talking Walls mural festival in Charlotte, I had the opportunity to dip into NY for 2 weeks. I was invited to work on a gallery installation for the #Bormix group exhibition entitled “Sierra / Costa” in the heart of The Lower East Side. The neighborhood is going through another big change these days, luckily The Clemente continues to hold on as one of the few places left where we can celebrate our culture on the walls, in theater, and on the dance floor. If you missed the opening you still have time to view the exhibit! It will be on view until November 30th. Special shout out to Anthony Limongi for the recommendation to take part in this project, and for my homie Tanya Cuevas to pass on the good word about my work. I enjoyed working on this mural with my cousin / assistants help @mistadrumin who came thru with the photography. It’s been a nice journey illustrating, painting, and creating murals of the “Love Warrior” series from north to south. I have been pouring my heart and soul on it since 2012, and ready for that full circle moment coming up. I’m currently looking to showcase the entire collection in a solo exhibit soon! stay tuned…

“Free Spirit Remix” for Bormix, The Clemente 2019

Native Soul 27″X30″ Acrylic on Canvas – Available. Inquiries: tooflynyc@gmail.com

I come from the “Sierra” a region along the belt of the andes mountains with valleys, rivers, and rich fertile soil for agriculture to last lifetimes. Ecuador is by the equator and near the Amazon where wildlife thrives in a harmonious eco-system. We have Costa as well but the eternal spring like weather in the Sierra is my home. Where my ancestors and the Inca Empire ruled. Where my roots were pulled from during migration in the 80’s. I’m slowly finding my way back to tell the story and reconnect with the other half of who I am… 

Thank you NY! See ya in 2020.

Never know what to expect from my next trip to NY. This year, the producers of an upcoming @Maybelline House event reached out to me to create an installation during Fashion Week NY. They were also looking for an authentic graffiti artist who can “tag up” on a pop-up train. As a multidisciplinary artist the job was perfect and up my alley. Especially because NY, graffiti, street, and fashion is what Toofly is all about! It’s fun work, and ads to my ( new client ) work. Painting the #MaybellineHouse neon logo juxtapozed against a brick wall with spray paint and acrylic took a while to create, but like a pro it got done and right on schedule. The on-site graffiti added the authentic flavor of our beloved city. When they wanted even more tags I was happy to create them, but I made sure to point out it’s added value. Did they remember that? No. The train was such a cool installation tho, who keeps that I wondered? Hope it goes to good use. Shout out to my cousin / assistant @mistadrumin for his help and process photos. Unfortunately I was unable to get the final photos on opening night. For some reason the invitation changed from “we would love for you to be there” to “I’m sorry it is a private PR event” after the work was done. Yeah! that really happened. According to the producer on this project she had no control. Last time I checked industry events that have the creative, and artists attend is a very good look for the brand. All good. Some people still don’t get how it all works. Luckily many true school New Yorkers made it to the event and posted videos and photos of the project. They loved it, and the installation looked great thanks to the creative team from France, who was very nice. As these corporate projects pop in, and out of our lives it’s important to remember what these brands truly stand for and how they treat their staff. We’ve seen how some high-profile companies treat urban artists these past few years, and so you begin to wonder. Do they truly respect the culture, and people they want so badly captivate? Each client is different, and the only way to find out is to work with them. Live, and learn and watch how they roll folks!

Thank you New York City!

Mompiche Ecuador 2019! What a dope little road trip to paint, and vacay in August. It’s been a creative month here in Quito ( Arts Month ) There’s a lot happening, especially with creatives from the urban arts community. Regardless of the country’s shitty economy, artists don’t stop. We keep it alive! @Detonarte_ec was independently funded this year due to lack of funds in the arts sector in Ecuador. It makes it hard on artists because it is how we make a living. With a little free time and a few extra bucks a few of us were able to pull thru to rep’ on this important mission. 12 local / international artists, a lot of acrylic paint, and limited color palettes went far this time. We received 10 cans of spray paint ( sad face ) by local paint sponsor @Evans ///  If you planned your piece ahead of time, threw in a few extra cans of your own it worked out. That’s how we did it ya’ll. For the love of NATURE! This year Luiz Auz founder, and curator of Detonarte with the help of locals the event launched. Shout out to Santiago, and friends from @SavetheParadise @SecretGardenMompiche and locals in Mompiche. The municipio helped a bit too, I guess 2 canecas of paint is something? Smh. They set up a stage for a performance that started way too late for anyone to care. All it did was create fights with locals who felt they would lose business. All those people get no props they have no clue what they are doing. It truly takes a village in these parts of the world and unless your on board with some serious care you can suck it. At the end of the day all the love goes to the folks who recognize the value of art, and culture as a tool for social / environmental change. Various eco-hostels hosted many of the artists and crew – thank you! We had healthy organic food, and seafood at different locations that volunteered to feed us – thank you! There was plenty of clean water to refill our water bottles so that we do not cause any more plastic waste – Thank you conscious artists! Our mission: 3 Days to create beautiful murals that inspire, and bring attention to the importance of protecting nature. To take care of it’s plant life, wildlife, oceans, rivers, mangroves, beaches, and rain forests. Thank you Detonarte, and Mompiche for taking this important step in the country we hope the goverment and local mayors of the coast take notes!

As a traveling artist I make sure to take the extra time to explore + learn enough in a short stay to report back. Babe and I made it to Mompiche a few days before festival and the 12 hrs was worth it. A roadtrip here is hard by bus, I recommend getting there directly by car next time. It is probably why this beach is still so pretty compared to the rest on the coast of Ecuador. We got a chance to trek and check out Playa Negra ( Black Beach ) as well as enjoy a nice stroll thru the countryside. Next time we gotta make it to Portete!

Shout out to Morongo for the lovely airbnb stay. Bamboo eco-hostals are the best at the beach. One of the best beach views thus far on my travels. Loooooved it.

My rock. Babe is my personal everythang! 23yrs in enjoying life and growing happy together. Happy Anniversary boo boo!

DAY 1 — Artist Trek thru @savetheparadise  // help these wonderful environmentalists save the rainforest in Mompiche. They are cutting down hundred year old trees, and endangering wildlife for palm oil farms and corn oil farms. Stop supporting products with chemicals that affect these environments and nature in general. We all have work to do, and every little bit of change you can do in your life helps. For more information about the project visit their website. You can donate here —> www.savetheparadise.com

Artists for environmental changes! Get educated, stand for a cause you believe in and make the changes necessary to fight the greedy monsters messing up our planet! You know who they are, just look at the back of the labels. If it’s not natural it’s no bueno.

Paintr

Bless

Dieztro

Huesos de Buda

“Proteje La Naturaleza” ( Protect Nature ) It’s beautiful, it gives and gives, do not hurt her, or try to destroy her. She deserves to thrive and live in harmony with humans. In all honesty she does not need us, we need her to survive and live on this planet a bit longer. There is no planet B!

Nina Shunku – a community space in the Centro Historico of Quito, and one of my favorite spaces to support. When I arrived back in 2012 the building was in shambles but little by little the crew has fixed it up and is now running education programs, workshops, music events, cultural gatherings and much more. Proud of them! It as time to rock a new piece before my trip to NY and squeezed it in just in time for the 7/10 year anniversary event.

The 1XRun X RickyPowell X Toofly collab has dropped! It is so much fun to draw and illustrate on top of photography, especially images by the legendary Ricky Powell who’s street photography of Hip Hop artists, and New York City life over the years captured captured classic moments in time. Check out sneek peek at the 3 embellished workscreated for the project featuring Rakim and LL Cool J. Mutual Respect is a Beautiful Thing! Thank you Ricky for the invitation to participate in this series. I absolutely love it!

4Yr Anniversary at Torno Co-Lab! I love this place. A co-working location in center of Quito, Ecuador where architects, designers, and artists get together to work, and develop creative projects. Follow them and check out what they have been up to. Growing each year. Thank you for the invitation to paint. Joins Back X Toofly collab was fun under the beautiful sunshine. Just what I needed to get my wrist back on track.

Final Collaboration Photo coming soon!

In case you missed it! — The “Presence” exhibition curated by @artbygiawill showcase from July 24-Aug 18th @artspaceps109 @hiartsnyc gallery Hours Tues-Fri 12-5PM / 215 East 99st. 6 Train to 96st. Collect, appreciate, and enjoy the women contemporary artists of today!

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.

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 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!