TOOFLY NYC

 

Thanks gang! #TEAMWORK

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

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 #TooflyPopUpShop returned this year for the 2nd time at Rebelution Ink now known as Fresh Off The Press. The printing location where my shirts, tank tops, and tote bags are printed. The space is a perfect size for what I need and it’s in an excellent location in Williamsburg  near train, restaurants, bars, parks, waterfronts, and more. When curating an event all these elements need to be in place. It allows guests to hang out in the neighborhood after or before pop-up and keep the night going long after event is over. This year I decided to give it a little twist! In the past I only opened up shop for 1 day, this time I decided to do a weekend long event and introduce a sip & mingle mixer in the patio, and a workshop. It worked out pretty good, despite the rain. You just never know with the weather these days and Saturday was pouring! Special shout out to friends, and guests that trooped it that day. Especially my cousin Chill Will who got a chance to celebrate his B-Day with all of us after the pop-up. Sunday was a lot nicer and I was happy to see the hommies swing thru for a much needed chat. There is never enough time but when we carve it out it’s perfect. Students enjoyed the workshop earlier that day, and it made me think that an adult workshop needs to happen. Who doesn’t want to sip and make art on a Sunday afternoon? I found that the conversations with the ladies and gents is hella fun! I need to work on this idea a bit more. The events I am curating are small and a great learning experience to fine tune them. It feels good to bring people together and the vibe is genuine. It’s not about hype or faking the funk that your authentic, like so many events these days. Before all that BS we just had a good time together with music, drinks, and company. Community minded folks know what’s up and they will troop it rain or shine. I appreciate that. These events take months, love, and work to prepare. Shout out to everyone that came thru to support and purchase some TF goodies, Randy for holding us down on all aspects of the space, and to my wonderful team Ana Lovera on TF sales and Crafty Cocktales for teaming up this year on the mixer. Thank you NYC!

Its time to save the date! Flyer and press release coming soon…

The #TooflyPopUpShop is back! It’s been a few years but this time around I had a little more time to put it together the right way. I am currently enjoying the process of curating events at various places. Something about getting all the pieces to an idea where people get together gives me great joy. Like painting I am putting together theme, color, and design to tell a story. Our story. Save the date!

Down to the last few posts! –  This year LLP celebrated the 10th Ladies Love Project Holiday Pop-Up Shop! We teamed up with City Lore Community Arts Gallery space in the lower east side for a 2 day event. A total of 20+ vendors gathered for the fun. Our LLP photographer Samantha Morales took some lovely photos of the crew this year, here are some of my favorites. Shout out to all the vendors, friends, family and guests that came thru to support the #shoplocal, #shophandmade, and #shopsmall movement —-> Follow us on our facebook page for the next vendors call!

Its a wrap for 2016! Thank you everyone. Community vibes build community tribes <3

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

I’ve been having a lot of fun lately with the items on my shop. It’s finally taking shape and in the direction I want it to go. Every year I release a new item, and a new color way for the up coming summer or holiday pop-up shop. The “New York City” T’ is a favorite and this season we have it all in 3 colors! — Black, White, and Heather Grey. Good times with my cousin Eliana who modeled them as we cranked up some 90’s Hip Hop.  I will always love New York and this is my way of showing my city some luv with an original handstyle!

New York City T’ by Toofly $25 —> www.tooflynyc.com/shop

Model: Eliana Gutierrez, Quito Ecuador

The Toofly “Free Spirit” Sweatshirt released this past Holiday season was a hit! Unfortunately they SOLD OUT at the Toofly Holiday Pop-up Shop this past December. We are preparing a whole new batch for the Spring. Don’t miss it! If your in Brooklyn you can cop the last few that are left at FRESTHETIC. $47.00

“Free Spirit” is a very special illustration. I started it in during the construction of my first home. Everything I had built up to that point came together. The “Love Warrior” journey was complete. I decided at this point that all my illustrations from the past 4 years would become full color large paintings and so I began the process.

Once it was finished I began with the ink version as a black & white print. “Free Spirit” 16″X16″ giclee print coming soon! www.tooflynyc.com/shop

Once the ink version was complete I moved on to canvas. Studio sessions are a lovely way to reconnect with spirit. Your alone, and your breathing takes on a different pace. Your mind escapes and time no longer exists.

“Free Spirit” and many new paintings are at work for a solo exhibition. Follow the process on my instagram page ( @TOOFLY_NYC)  and facebook page ( /TOOFLY )  for the latest news.

Ready to drop my next set of limited edition giclee prints this Spring! The first set dropped in the fall and sold out. I made a few for the Designer Con and Toofly Holiday Pop-Up Shop event and they were a hit. Unfortunately there were just a few to go around. Now that Spring 2015 has arrived I’m ready to release the rest of the set on the #tooflyshop 

“PODEROSA” 2014 Giclee Print 8′X8″ ( Edition of 50 )  Signed & numbered by Artist. –
$50.00 + Shipping & Handling
Poderosa was a cute little 8X8 painting I did for fun because I love painting roses. I had a few folks interested in the original so I made a few custom orders. I then got asked to do more but because I don’t like painting the same thing over and over again I decide to do a high quality giclee limited edition print <3

“LA REYNA” 2014. 11″14″  Giclee Print Edition of ( 25 ) Signed and numbered by Artist. –
$75.00 + Shipping & Handling
La Reyna was a fun piece to work on because I was messing around with color pencils one day ( something I rarely do ) on a wood panel I bought. I got so into it and the illustration just came to life. I plan to do more of these as soon as I get more wood panels in the studio.

“FREEDOM DREAMER” 2014. 12″X16″  Giclee Print Edition of ( 25 ) Signed and numbered by Artist. –
$100.00 + Shipping & Handling

Freedom Dreamer is a very special painting I created in 2013 which unfortunately was lost in a cab on one of my NY travel missions. The painting is lost forever, but fortunately I had it photographed before I lost it and I was able to make a beautiful high quality giclee print.

“NATIVE SOUL”  2014. Giclee Print 16″X16″ Edition of (50) – Signed and numbered by Artist.
$100.00 + Shipping & Handling

Native Soul is one of those illustrations I was completely zoned out on. I truly enjoyed working on it. Unfortunately I spilled water on it at the very end from my ice cravings! The original was ruined, but thankfully in good enough shape to scan and clean up digitally. Once I saved it in digital format I was able to make this lovely limited edition giclee print to set off a whole new Black and White series I am patiently working on. More about it soon….

HELLLLLLLLOOOOOO World. I’m finally in Sunny Florida. Ready to relax a bit, and spend thanksgiving week with my querida familia before the Art Basel Miami madness next week. November was an amazing month. I’m loving this three city tour! My first stop was LOS ANGELES, CA about 30min away from Pasadena, Ca where Designer Con 2014 was being held this year. This fall I decided it was time to move into new territory and expand the visibility of my brand to a much larger audience. I teamed up with long time hommie KANO who’s been rock’n these really fun convention events for a few years now, and he recommended I give it a try. I enjoyed it!!! The “booth world” and the hundreds of new faces I got a chance to meet personally who follow my instagram page was special. Meeting your followers live and direct is cool especially because they are in a an entire different city and the energy is still all love. I will most definitely be back next year. Yeahhhh! Shout out to my dear friends Izzy and Kano and my LA family I got a chance to finally re-connect with after 30+ long years.  Thank you guys!!!

The official drop for my new Giclee Prints! Now available on the shop, while supplies last: www.tooflynyc.com/shop

LA PEEPS <3 #FriendsWeLove

Tia Dali <3 my grandfathers sister who’s been living in LA all this time! Happy to reconnect and meet all my cousins.

THANK YOU LA <3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

PRESS CONTACT: E: Blanche.cote@gmail.com / 718.877.6082

TOOFLY HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOP COMES TO BROOKLYN!

Renowned Street Artist TOOFLY Hosts Solo Pop-Up at Rebelution Ink Boutique and Gallery

BROOKLYN, New York—October 21st, 2014—After a successful three-year run with the Ladies Love Project Pop-Up Shop (LLP), New York’s beloved street artist, designer, and entrepreneur, Maria “TOOFLY” Castillo will host her first solo TOOFLY Holiday Pop-Up Shop at the trendy Williamsburg boutique, Rebelution Ink.

The popular boutique and art gallery will play host on Friday, November 21, 2014 from 6PM to 10PM and Saturday, November 22, 2014 from 12PM to 8PM to graffiti enthusiasts, fashionistas, and the Brooklyn community. All will get a chance to view select paintings by TOOFLY as well as shop her highly sought-after, handcrafted goods. Fellow street artist Shiro, who hails from Japan, will make a special guest appearance on Saturday from 3PM to 6PM to celebrate the unveiling of new art print releases ($35-$75).

With TOOFLY’s signature style, shoppers can find the perfect holiday gift to spruce up any home, office or wardrobe. At a time when women’s rights are at the forefront of today’s headlines, the mixed media artist has gradually increased her collection by adding an array of illustrations capturing fierce indigenous women. Such works embody the palpable presence of feminine power and creativity. The same can be said of the women who grace her t-shirt, hoodies, tote bags, and sketchbooks as sold at the TOOFLY HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOP. Attendees will experience a colorful, culturally rich world with an opportunity to sweep up a special TOOFLY tote bag valued at $50.00. Teatulia Organic Teas will be serving warm drinks alongside JC’s Sidewalk Cafe with special treats. There will be Hip Hop, Rock, and Funk playing throughout the two days to help usher in good tidings for the holidays and build community spirit.

As an added bonus to what will be a rocking event, both SHIRO & TOOFLY will kick-off black book signing–a graffiti ritual with roots in nostalgic New York, where artists reverently swap black books to collect drawings or catch “tags.” With live artwork, funky clothing and collectible designs by TOOFLY, this two-day event is not to be missed!

“Having the TOOFLY HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOP in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn is dope!” says Randy Quilles, owner of Rebelution Ink. “TOOFLY’s work honors the ‘true school’ New York vibe and her recent re-connection to her latin roots demonstrates a unique progression of her artistry.”

TOOFLY will be available for interviews prior to, during and after the holiday event to discuss the changing landscape of street art in direct relation to changing communities.

Read more

I have some medium sized sketchbooks ready to drop at the Ladies Love Project Pop-UP Shop event on May 31st! More info coming soon…