TOOFLY NYC

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.

Hello 2019 — new year, new projects! Setting it off with a collaboration wall production with one of Quito, Ecuador’s most recognized street artist APITATAN. He’s been making moves for years, and is a leading aerosol artist in many ways for the culture. We have been meaning to work on a piece together for some time now so when our friend @Sramdip from Nepal arrived for a visit we decided to go for it. As character artists, and in touch with our energy frequency we felt a mystical theme would work great with Sramdip’s pyramid calligraphy. It took about a weekend to get our schedules organized to meet up and get to work. Worked it out as best we could, and was happy with the time we had to build. Also the 1st MTN aerosol graffiti shop has arrived to Quito and was a few blocks away. We will brew! stay tuned…

“VIBRATIONS” Location:  Calle Pablo Claudel Street Jipijapa sector

Thank you friends!

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!

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!

That’s right, a #QuitoArtsWalk! There is none, so Erin Yoshi and the Trust Your Struggle crew got together and hooked it up in 1 DAY. It’s arts month in Quito, Ecuador ( AUGUST ) and the city spreads the word on Talleres Abiertos De Quito. I think it’s a great idea to have open studios by artists for public view, but once a year tho? If we’re gonna build a strong”all inclusive” arts community you gotta do it yourself. That means organize local crews, shops, and artists of all angles to come together for the cause. Professionals, youth, kids, families, even the older folk who love to water color down the block. We’re here to spread that creative love, and good vibes with others who are down. A foundation for local economies starts with each of us, and that means “manos a la obra” mentality. It’s how we do, and how it’s done here when it’s time to clean up a street, build a house, or rock a food garden. The historic center of Quito is an amazing place with streets like calle Junin and others like La Ronda providing spaces for the artists to take over public space. Is it safe? Yes, but sometimes the cops fuck with us/them. Harassing an artist using a spray can to create, or an artesano setting up shop on the floor to make a living is not cool. So we’re out here trying to create a safe space for them too, because art it not only for an elite class with fancy galleries and glossy pamphlets. We’re independent, and rep the streets where the heart and soul of people lives.

Collaboration with Trust Your Struggle Collective, Toofly, Alm Crew, and Sirka.

  

Gracias a todos!

Flicks coming soon…

  

#warmipaint – words and more flicks coming soon!

Warmi Paint 2015 Internacional an llegado a Quito, Ecuador Nov 12, 2015! Aqui con Lady Pink.

Toofly Y Ache Vallejo Photos by Carlos Duran

Martha Cooper Confrence Photo by ©Alexandra Henry

LADY PINK Photos by ©Carlos Duran

PANMELA CASTRO ( Anarkia )

BASTARDILLA ©Deluxtoy

LA SUERTE © Deluxtoy

LILI CUCA @marthacoopergram

VERO RIVERA ©Deluxtoy

Photo by Alexandra Henry

BELU LOOPS Photo by ©Deluxtoy

LIE Photo by ©Deluxtoy

Warmi Paint Bus!

BLN BIKE Photo by Mavizu

ABUSA CREW @marthacoopergram

Gracias a todos!!! #warmipaint

Warmi Paintâ„¢ is an all women arts, and culture festival ready to launch in Quito, Ecuador this fall. A celebration of women street artists from Latin America who focus on; graffiti, street art, murals, and empowering others, especially young women through their colorful work. A group of local and international artists will be selected by Maria “Toofly” Castillo and HTM that will include countries like Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, and others.

Warmi = Woman in quechua, the name of a people of the central Andes of South America and their language. Women of all ages from this part of the world will create a new vision of themselves, nurture their community, and reflect a powerful message.

Special guests + 20 women artists will paint collaborative murals, host workshops, and present their life’s work to the Ecuadorian community. We will have graffiti films, slideshow presentations, panels, youth workshops, pop-up shops, and a live art DJ set! People of all ages will benefit from this unique cross cultural exchange, and community building experience.

Help support artist/curator; TOOFLY (NYC), and artist/curator HTM (Ecuador) get started! http://warmipaint.tumblr.com/

Here’s our fundraiser link —> www.gofundme.com/warmipaint

New York is always  hectic for me year after year, and now the projects in Quito are growing too. SO much so that I am short on time to catch up on my blog posts as you can see. As soon as I get a chance to relax I will get to them:) The easiest way for me to share at this time is via INSTAGRAM @TOOFLY_NYC or on my Facebook Page. In the meantime check out the Quito Transit Bus Project we had this past weekend. A first for Ecuador, happy to have been part of it.

I’ve been building with some really awesome peoples here in Quito. The talent is great, and many of them have been on the grind for years with the city to try and make some dope shit happen. Their ideas are finally coming into full fruition, and with each event it keeps getting tighter. They are taking over more, and more public spaces + organizing events that push the boundaries of what has been done before. It’s nice to see it all unfold. I am used to checking out some really cool stuff in NY all the time, but now that I’m here in the mothaland I feel proud! Shout out to Vera and Alm Crew for the opportunity to join them on their latest project #PROYECTOESPORA in collaboration with one of the coolest design studios in Quito; TORNO CO.LAB.

The project came about because as a community they felt the need to come up with solutions to a theft and garbage problem they were having in their barrio. They connected with their neighbors and shop locals to propose a street project that can help them, as well as other barrios with issues in a creative way. Kids, and grown ups drilled, gardened, painted, and prepared for a day of creative justice. The street artists took the “Vigilante” theme throughout their pieces to let thieves know this area will now be looked out after by everyone and they have no more business there. The area was dark so extra street lights were installed. Large garbage containers were built and some have a creative twists so kids have fun throwing away their candy wrappers and plastic bottles after school. Educating the public is a day to day process here still. There are no street lights, and garbage cans on every single street corner like there is in NY. Quito is still a developing city. Barrios are left to handle theirs, and this is a creative example of that.

VERA 2015

Mr. PAINT! mixing paint:)

JOINS BACK 2015

I got an opportunity to rock one of my favorite illustrations “MAS AMOR” near a funky little tree where the leaves added to the design of the piece, especially when the sun went down. The shade created a beautiful pattern design. These days any chance I have to paint near plants, trees, or nature is a big +!

“MAS AMOR” 2015 by TOOFLY, Quito Ecuador

Finito!

As the evening arrived there was a special video launch planned to close out the day’s event. Ecuador has strong ancestral roots and with the guidance of a native shaman we gathered in a circle for a personal, and neighborhood cleansing. It was a beautiful ceremony, and it was my first one. I’ve been meaning to go to some but never got the chance. As I joined the circle by Vera’s invitation I giggled at first but then realized something amazing. I had arrived!  That feeling you get when it allllllllllll makes sense. It lasts a few seconds but your like oh shit! The connection to the land, art, friends, community, and all I love reminded me why I had returned to my very first home. It felt good…and I’m still processing it…

It was then time to start, and end the late night show. Mixed media artists, dancers, and musicians set the tone for a mapping video projection at one of the big big walls. There was a lot of blank space for a reason. As the lights came on the projection started, and beautiful animated graphics took over the blank space along side the black and white line art illustrations. A collaboration effort by the ALM CREW that has been in the works for weeks. It was a sight to see! As the mural came to life I wondered, has this been done in Quito before?  Felt like a whole new level to street art was in the making. Elders, kids, and young people “ahhhed” and “oohed” and clapped as the show came to an end. For a minute I thought I could be in Dumbo Brooklyn or something. This was great!!!

Big thanks to all and everyone who made this event happen. Much continued success, and looking forward to more.

Painting season is 360 days a year in Quito, Ecuador. Which means the painting fun never stops. Ecuador has the best weather, it’s almost as good as California weather. This month was pretty action packed, gotta warm up for NY in June! I got word from our friend HTM that ARTE ACTUAL FLACSO was organizing a painting, and fine art spree, at a soon to be demolished building in the north side of Quito. I packed up a few scraps of paint and headed over. As soon as I arrived I ran into Boloh! We met at the 2013 GRAFFF festival in Ambato and remembered his chill vibe and intense pattern work. It was only right we took this time to rock a special collabo with an extinguisher artist who was spreading paint all over the walls. The effect was awesome! Everyone involved that day had a lot of fun taking over the place inside and out. No rules, go crazy! We felt like kids in a candy store…

BOLOH X TOOFLY, Quito Ecuador 2015

Atuntaqui 2015 International Graffiti Festival! – This is my second year back to paint and I am glad I stuck around this time. I had a blast!!! It was really fun painting of course, but now that I have been building with many of the artists a little bit more over these past three years, the hangout/chill time is official! On Saturday night we decided to run the streets of Atuntaqui in search of an adventure. We landed in a few memorable places with laughs and chelas in hand. Getting tipsy and happy on our strollz through town. At the end we were dancing all crazy into the night at a little hole in the wall spot like a loving crew of friends. I felt the genuine “carino” among artists who respect each other and look out for eachother + can boogie on the dance floor:) It’s moments like these that take me to the happy place I treasure because it reminds me of my hommies back home and all the fun we have when we get together, especially to dance! Gracias compañeros y compañeras <3 Celebrating life is what it’s all about here’s to more good times in the mothaland!!!

Check out Atuntaqui 2014

Shout out to the lead organizer Bolivar aka JASON! A True School Atuntaqui local and one of the first graffiti pioneers in Ecuador. Jason and his team makes the Atuntaqui graffiti festival happen every year on a top notch level. He’s always very chillax and helping the artists get what they need to make colorful walls happen in his hometown. Atuntaqui is most definitely one of the largest street art destinations in Imbabura with over 40+ walls walking distance. An creative community arts example for all towns in Ecuador to take note…

Giving thanks to Dr. Patricio and his family who came thru to support the outdoor project in their barrio and welcome me to his wall.  Very nice man right here born and raised in Atuntaqui, and cool with all the locals <3

I arrived to very pink wall which I figured I should go ahead and make it funky, colorful, and bright so it can stand out as the train pulled in to town. Happy Womens History Month! It’s all about the “PINK LADIES”

“Fluir” Toofly Atuntaqui 2015

The train that arrives Atuntaqui in the morning and in the afternoon get’s to check out some colorful walls on it’s way back from Salinas…

These guys are awesome!!! Reppin’ Guayaquil…CLIMAX

Brazil represent! – Photo real image of organizer Jason! FRESH

The coolest sweetest peeps right here. Vera and JoinsBack! <3

Tenaz from Otavalo on a collabo wall with his peeps…

Shiva from Minniapolis is in Ecuador! She’s here for a minute and you know what that means paint and party time! Hahhaha lot’s more adventures in the works…

SKIPY Atuntaqui 2015

ALM Crew 2015 – Funky Fresh Collabo even chuchaki they make it happen! ha…

Hasta la proxima Atuntaqui, Ecuador! (((( FUERZA ))))

I’ve been in Ecuador for a good three years now and it has given me the opportunity to meet, and build with some awesome souls who organize, curate, and are in tune with a much healthier lifestyle. It has made me a much happier, and creative human being. Working with the energy of these folks helps me take my work and ideas to the next level. This year is off to a great start, and the second wall project that came up this past weekend was in Baños Ecuador. A team of 6+ artists took a lovely country side road trip 4 hours away from Quito to the land of waterfalls, adventures, and “Agua Santa” (Spanish for Baths of Holy Water) is named after the hot springs located around the city which have a reputation of having healing properties due to their content of various minerals. It is also near  the Tungurahua a highly active volcano. Fortunately it’s been safe for many years to visit Baños and we hope it continues to be for many years to come. We arrived during some great weather and ready to paint! The project was lead by street artist Vera and her team Joins Back, Tanya, Jose, and Tatta Productions who looked out for all of us with transport, a comfortable stay at La Petite Auberge, and yummy healthy meals at Casa Hood. I’m missing the Phad Thai already! Baños has gotten way cooler since the last time I was there. A lot more variety in restaurants, shops, and cute hostels have popped up which makes this a great place to return. Once settled we were ready to get to work!

Polaroid by La Suerte

The project at hand was located a few minutes away in a little town called Ulba. It was in desperate need of color and smiles. The Agoyan electrical hydro power plant which is just a few kilometers away has residents moving out. The river no longer flows naturally causing foul smells to their barrio. The local park is closed, and the homes, and streets are deteriorating daily from lack of care. Our goal to roll up our sleeves and paint many of the homes that were falling apart. The color and activity brought the families out for a “minga” ( community clean up ) which happens throughout Ecuador because at times the city can not help these neighborhoods. They began to clean the streets, sweep out the dirt, and help us buff the walls. Little by little everyone was giving a helping hand. They made us “sanduches de mortadella” and fresh raspberry juices to get our energy up, and hooked us up with some electricity so we can blast our music. It was a very fun, and productive “painting street jam” that brought smiles to the families, and much needed attention from the city. They came to help, and are now in chats about permaculture solutions about the problems the electrical power plant has caused the area.  They also plan to open up the park, and fix up the streets/homes which will (hopefully) bring residents back to the barrio. Everyone did a beautiful job! We’re excited to build on many similar projects in towns that need help and attention. Thank you Vera! and (((team))) for the invitation to work with you guys on this beautiful “Paredes del Barrio” project<3

Smh…Green Energy?

Foto by Eleki Hobosigns

Photo by: Jose Luis Jacome Guerrero

Foto by Eleki Hobosigns

If your traveling to Baños Ecuador and want to check out the murals in this town, the main road is on the ( right )  you can’t miss it!

TOOFLY Baños Ecuador 2015

Photo by: Jose Luis Jacome Guerrero

The electrical power plant is down this road…

VERA 2015 Photo by Tatta Rodriguez

ELEKI and TELEFUNKA in town from Guadalajara Mexico! – Photo by Tatta Rodriguez

JOINS BACK, 2015

LA SUERTE X PIN8 Collab

“Sembrar Creatividad” y Amor <3

We found “Fruna” in the middle of the road to Baños. We almost hit her! Vera picked her up and found her a home at end of trip. She will now live in paradise with La Suerte en her family. It’s a doggie world in Latina America! All doggies on trip are adopted. Shout out to Mishki, Rudy, and Fruna who barked and ran around freely.

Cosmorama final flicks coming soon…- Photo by Tatta Rodriguez

Desayuno…

Almuerzo…Foto by Eleki Hobosigns

y Dinner at Casa Hood! Like a creative arts family <3 Thank you team. Well deserved meals kept us going. GOOD TIMES!!! Now let’s get tattoos and seal the trip deal!

Private Tattoo sessionz with Pin8 Studios!

Pin8 is an Ecuadorian Graffiti, Street, and Tattoo Artist who’s shop is located in Baños. His work is super dope, unique and a style all his own. Love it! Thank you Pin8!

Pass the Wisky:) It’s mini hearts and starz time!

Rudy!!!

La Suerte en her signature Bone fish…

Joins Back with an original Pin8 piece for his arm…

Thank You Pin8! See ya next time Baños Crew <3