TOOFLY NYC

Maria “TOOFLY” Castillo

Ecuadorian, New York City artist Maria” Toofly” Castillo is recognized for her hard and fluid style and signature “Love Warrior” character. One of the few women in the art world to step into a male dominated graffiti scene in the early 90’s and help pave the way for others. She is also a designer, and social entrepreneur.

Toofly’s journey into the world of art began with her commute to public school from her Corona, Queens neighborhood. Her trips were filled with adventurous sketches as she immersed herself in the myriad of graffiti tags, fill-ins, and outlines viewed on almost every deconstructive surface along the way. It was precisely the rebellious artistic spirit of the 90’s street graffiti movement that drove Toofly to join its subculture ranks.

Highly influenced by the calligraphy and illustration skills of writers at the time, a teenage Toofly aspired to become the female version of what she most admired. She began to develop her own knack for “hand styles” and her unique Toofly characters. Her work soon blossomed on various graffiti black books, and walls at 5Pointz allowing her skills to be recognized by writers across the five boroughs.

Toofly’s constant and active role in the hip hop community allowed her to remain true to her roots, as she continued to draw raw feelings from the ever-changing and spontaneous public art world around her. Her most recent projects include the @LadiesLoveProject, @WarmiPaint Festival, and #Grafiteras. Women collectives that push and represent independent artists in urban art. Steadily pushing forward with curated exhibitions, street art murals, pop-up shops, and youth workshops.

Toofly’s work has appeared in books like Graffiti Women, Outdoor Gallery, and magazines like Juxtapoz, Latina, and Marie Claire. Her paintings have exhibited with Deitch Projects, Wynwood Walls, and Bronx Museum of Art. Staying true to her roots she continues to inspire, educate, and empower women and youth around the world.

www.tooflynyc.com

TOOFLY NYCâ„¢ – SHOP

TOOFLY NYC is the signature fashion & accessories collection based on the art, design, and life of New York City’s graffiiti artist “Toofly.” It officially launched independently in the Spring of 2007 exclusively online. By the fall of that year TOOFLY NYCâ„¢ gained the interest of boutiques nation wide, and countries like UK, and JAPAN. Her Limited edition art prints, T-shirts, vinyl toys, jewerly, and works of art could now be found in selected boutiques and specialty shops in limited quantities.

STAY TRUâ„¢

Stay Tru™ is Toofly’s independent art & design company with services in; Art Direction, illustration, Graphic Design, Logo Design, Hand Style Lettering, Photography, Styling, Live Art, and Consulting. Clients include:

LADIES LOVE PROJECT

Ladies Love Project – is a collaboration between artists Toofly, (www.tooflynyc.com) PattyDukes, RephStar (www.circa95.com) and A.Mari (www.onefokus.org) Aiming to create inspiring environments for female artists, where they can celebrate their creative styles in Art, Fashion and Music. Ladies Love Project introduces a model for all women who pay homage to market life around the globe as a staple of community building, and of starting your own independent business. Ladies Love Project thrives on spreading a positive and empowering message to their community especially young women who look up and identify with them.
www.ladiesloveproject.com