Hello summer! Today is a special day, because it marks our 6 month plan of action into the motherland. We’ve learned so much about living life at a slower pace, eating healthier produce, and enjoying our time together. My homeland, Ecuador has a lot to offer. The cost of living here allows a peace of mind unlike any other. Time was a big issue for us back in the states. There was never enough of it to truly do what we wanted to do. Much of our time was spent working to pay ridiculous amount of bills. The cost of food, transport, and living expenses has gone up so much in the last 10 years that one just keeps taking it, and taking it like it’s ok. IT’S NOT! It’s wrong, and it exhausts the mind, body, and spirit. I was growing impatient with the illusion of being free at such a high cost on our lives. Carlos and I questioned our futures after watching documentaries like Garbage Warrior, and Food Inc. It inspired us to think hard, and reflect on how much time we were giving to an idea that is no longer in our best interest. No longer in line with our beliefs. I guess when you get to this age you start thinking about all this stuff, and then you begin to re-think your ideal “dream life”. Everyone has one. You know the one that (((YOU))) truly want. It took a good 2 years to plan this all out, but the idea to “GET FREE” totally worked! One of the dopest decisions we ever made together. We quit the city lifestyle, packed our bags, and bid our dearest and loving friends “see ya later” – No goodbyes. Lord knows I can’t live without them! They are a big part of my life. Our first dip away would be – A NYC BREAK. A chance to check out the greener side of the world, and get some perspective on the conversations we were having. All I gotta say now is…FREEDOM IS BLISS!!! These past few months have given us a lot of room to do what we enjoy the most. Especially travel and create. We finally got time to dream our “NEW DREAM” and without any distractions. We now have a whole new idea in our heads about how this is going down. It’s going to take some more work but at least we know exactly what we want to build towards from this point on. Here’s to a whole new chapter in the lives of TF and Los!

MORE FLICKS BELOW…

Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!  ~Albert Einstein

Finito! I finally finished my latest acrylic work on wood. I love the handmade wood frame our family craftsman created, gracias Maestro! The soft and natural frame adds to the serene feel of the piece. Hoping she makes it in one piece to the Few & Far exhibition June 8th in Seattle ( flyer below). Artwork transport from Ecuador to the states is tricky, wish me luck! If your interested in the piece shoot me an e-mail at: tooflynyc@gmail.com

Transcendence. Acrylic on wood. 21″X 17.5″(framed)

FEW & FAR Female Art Exhibition
June 8th-July 3rd// 6-10PM
BHERD Urban Contemporary Art Gallery
8537 Greenwood Avenue N. Suite#1 // Seattle, WA 98103

The ladies of the Few and Far, an all woman graffiti collective, bring their work to Seattle. F&F is a movement that brings together talented women who are involved in graffiti and street art from all over the world. Their group connects women by creating social and artistic exchange, by showcasing art on the streets, on walls and in other high profile venues. And they foster and celebrate the power and expression of female street artists. Importantly, Few and Far consists of a team of open minded, highly creative, cutting edge and dedicated every day females. The show is curated by two local members, 179 and Ksera and the line-up includes: Lady Mags, TOOFLY, Meme, Erin Yoshi, DJ AGANA and more. The ladies will also create a public mural while they are in town, location to be announced.

LADIES LOVE PROJECT SPRING/SUMMER POP UP SHOP! Date: Saturday, June 16th, 2012

Time:3PM-8PM
Closing Performance: 8PM
Location:  Circa 95’ Pop-Up Shop
1303 Louis Blvd
Bronx, NY 10469 2 or 5 Trains to Freeman

OMG is it May already? I finally got some wood to paint on! I didn’t think it would be so tough to find art materials in my homeland. I’ve been on the hunt for canvas for weeks with no luck. Cardboard is not as easy to find on the corner streets, piled up daily to trash as it is in NY. People do not consume the unnecessary here, and all that packaging is iliminated by using recycled bins to move product into stores, or when you shop you bring your canasta! I’ve had to come to terms that I will not get as lucky with carboard pieces, or canvas here to create my new works. There is NO art store like Blick or a Pearl Paint to get what I want. In retrospective, I don’t really need. Living in the states makes you so damn spoiled to have everything at your finger tips. Then I remember why the world is in such a mess. I hit up my cousins wood shop got a bunch of wood pieces he had laying around and called it a day. Whew! I can finally get started on my new works…

Almost there…

Our “maestro” aka family wood craftsman made a handmade wood frame for my piece today, I love it! So natural. I’m gonna frame all my pieces for this series this way…

This past weekend I took my love to Termas Papallacta to celebrate his birthday. In 2 hours, a $2.00 bus ride, and our backpacks we were in hot spring paradise. This place is amazing!!! I came here with my grandparents a few years ago, and loved it. It’s natural hot volcanic pools are 24hrs a day if you stay overnight at their cute and cozy lodges. Mornings are a bit nippy and foggy which makes getting in the hot pools all that more delicious. When the afternoon sun peeks through it’s great for a tan, and there’s tons of pools with cold water, warm water, and hot water. Mother nature’s natural spa. What better way to celebrate earth day!:) HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE!!!

((( loves it ))) Mission accomplished:)

Cozy cabin style lodging feet away from the 24hr hot pools. Yummy…

Time to explore…and flick away…

we make great traveling buddies;)

Flowing through life like the great rivers of nature…

Fresh garlic & herb trout for lunch:)

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. - Albert Einstein

Living in the motherland these days gives us the opportunity to get away on the weekends and explore our beautiful andean country. This is just the beginning of our adventure, there’s so much more we have yet to see. The best part of it all is that it’s super cheap to travel, lodge, and eat! We love farm raised and 100% organic produce everywhere we go. The fresh juice every morning, and the mountain walks are doing wonders on our health, and bodies:) It’s been 2 months so far, and we feel great! Looking forward to the day our hommies come and visit, we’re gonna have a blast!!!

See you soooooon…

It’s been a minute since I launched a new print series. The “Hey Ladies” series did really well, and I am happy many of the prints helped various charities and fundraisers all over the world. It’s time to rock a new set for the fall, especially one that marks my state of mind today. I’ve come a long way from that “around the way” girl folks love so much. She’s all grown up now. She’s at peace, and feels no need to rush through the city streets anytime soon. Here’s a sneak peek of the sketches taking form.

Love Warrior print series by Toofly. Coming Fall 2012

I got a few sneak peeks this week for ya! Now that I have a lot more time to focus on creative projects I’m able to paint, design, and even freelance for friends and companies. I couldn’t be happier:) Here’s a sneak peek at a recent design project I just completed. A limited figure called “Bodega” toy designed by Kano. He’s an awesome illustrator, toy designer, and animator. Kano and I go wayyyy back to our SVA illustration days, I was honored he asked me to be one of the only female’s in his new series release. Can’t wait to see it, thank you Kano!!! xoxo  Toofly

Shout out to Nitty Scott, and Photo Rob for rocking my Brooklyn wall as one of the backdrops on the latest Nitty Scott video. Nice shots! I love black and white imagery:) Thanks for the love guys!

 

Latinas represent!

Last day in NY was dope, went out with a bang! I had a great time painting live at the XCIA book release and hanging with my hommies at our last supper. Shout out to everyone who made this project and trip a sweet deal. Till next time!
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Thank you Hank! Had a great time on the collaboration:)

M.Tony Peralta – Instagram Flicks…

Madhattan Instargram flicks. PS I’m Ecuadorian, not Brazilian…


great seeing you guys! Thanks for always supporting your homegirl:)

Unable to get access to the professional photographers flicks. He got some good ones! 

VOILA! Living in Brooklyn for the week got my Caribbean juices flowing…yeah mon!

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! See you again soon:)
 

In the midst of my NY trip I got a call from the publisher at Siman Media works with some great news. The legendary Strand Bookstore had approved the XCIA project to paint the walls on 12 street and Broadway. I was pretty excited because I had the chance to bless this wonderful NYC location with my classic Toofly steelo in collaboration with Hank O Neal’s upcoming book release. Not only was this the first time the Strand Bookstore ever allowed anyone to paint their walls, but for years they kept graffiti off their walls. As street art and the love for urban art grows internationally so do the book shelves on the subject. Artists and their work now have wonderful public spaces where the community at large can enjoy this growing art form. Thank you Strand family! It’s an honor to come this far and rock this wall for you guys.

GALLERY CAT: “The Strand Bookstore, New York City’s legendary home of 18 miles of new, used, and rare books, will celebrate the publication of XCIA’s Street Art Project: The First Four Decades by Hank O’Neal (aka XCIA) by having street artist Toofly–paint in hand and feet on ladder–create street art on the 12th Street side of the store on walls that have long been blank …

The street art project will promote the release of XCIA’s Street Art Project: The First Four Decades, a collection of photographs taken by former CIA officer turned photographer Hank O’Neal. Publisher Siman Media Works will release an app version in April.

FINITO! Shout out to my cousin Clef who came thru lat minute to help out his sistah. Ian who was shooting video and flicks of the project, can’t wait to see! Ken for organizing the project and logistics, you rock! Benjamin for looking out on the press and showing the twitter love! and thank you Hank for taking such wonderful photos of my street work which lead to our meeting and collaboration. Your a sweet man, love my book & print!:) Good times fellas. Looking forward to the app release.

THANK YOU NEW YORK! You will always have a special place in my heart:) I’ll visit often…