Toofly NYC

 I was invited to showcase my work in this book called “Creators who Base in New York” by the IDEAfried Studio in Taiwan. The book covers various fields such as design, film, photography, graffiti, illustration, comics, and more. I can’t really understand what it says though:( My layout looks dope thanks Chengyi!

www.ideafried.com

Read more

Just finished rocking this FLY lady’s DJ logo: JASMINE SOLANO. If you don’t know, now you know! Check her out she’s DOPE.
Hommie and I met back a few years for the FLOW TV graphics project with TRIGGERHAPPY. That was a sweet deal:) Thanks for hooking it up gurl. Special shout out to “T” Tania for linking us up.  YEO let’s roll to the next jam together and support this lady’s skillz, I want to dance!

www.myspace.com/jasminesolano

Jasmine Solano, a Philly Motown girl turned HIP HOPSTER SOUL GAL. Representing on the airwaves and turntables since she was 17, nowadays you’ll find Jasmine Solano DJing in NYC, Brooklyn and on Integrated Radio. Winner of “Best Female Radio Personality” at the New England Urban Music Awards in 2006 and the annual EVVY Awards for “Best Radio On-Air Personality” she owes it all to the Boston community where it began on WERS 88.9FM. Jasmine put a ‘face to the name’ as a VJ for MTV2 and has been the host and MC for concerts featuring Grandmaster Flash, Akfrika Bambaataa, Questlove, Q.tip, De La Soul, GZA, The Platinum Pied Pipers, Dilated Peoples, M1 of Dead Prez, Jaguar Wright and Goapele. Known for her contagious hip hopster spirit and unwavering allegiance to old soul, Jasmine effortlessly combines the cutting edge with the timeless in a mix of R&B, Soul, Electronica, House and Hip Hop. From Armand Van Helden to Nina Simone, this hostess extraordinaire is sure to hit your spot on her show, The Meltdown on Integrated Radio (www.integratedstudios.com).

YOUNITY’S HEART & SOUL BOOK is now available online!

The Heart and Soul book, comprised of 60 visual works by women artists in the realm of fine art, graffiti, illustration, photography, design & fashion.  Formatted as a 5×8 inch postcard-style flipbook, each page is a work of art. Especially if you get the chance to get it signed! This is Younity’s first publication in the collector’s book series that showcases the work of current YOUNITY members.

The Heart and Soul book retails for $19.50
and are exclusively sold at: Younity Space

Here’s a sneek peek of what’s inside!

Maria “Toofly” Castillo
“Rescue Me”
Acrylic on Board, 8.5″X11″ Framed. Year Created: 2008

Read more

BET NETWORKS HOSTS TWO POWERFUL PANEL DISCUSSIONS AT CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY IN SUPPORT OF THE 2008 “BET HIP HOP AWARDS” ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18 , 2008.

FLY GIRLS VOTE! Hip-Hop Women for Change
An all-star female gathering of academics, activities, actresses, journalists, goverment and student leaders, artists, DJ’s, filmakers, and emcees will engage in creativity and conversation to prove IT’S WOMEN THAT MAKE MOVEMENTS MOVE.

Debra Lee, MC Lyte, Michaela Angela Davis, Tricia Rose, Moya Bailey, represntative Aisha Thomas Morgan, Shola Lynch, Lola Ogunnaike, DJ Beverly Bond, Toofly, Black Kold Madina, and more!

SATURDAY October 18th
11-1pm
Clark Atlanta University
Cornelius Henderson Student Center

Original Fly Girls Logo design by yours truly:) © Toofly 2008

On Friday, October 17, a Hip-Hop Summit Action Network Panel Discussion on Financial Empowerment Features Panelists Russell Simmons, Ludacris, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, 106 & PARK’s Terrence and Rocsi, and Others, Urging People to “Get Your Money Right!”

Hosted by MC Lyte and Moderated by Michaela angela Davis, Town Hall Event “Fly Girls Vote: Hip Hop Women for Change” on Saturday, October 18 Explores the Legacy and Future Women of Color Hold in American Politics The “BET HIP HOP AWARDS” Premieres Thursday, October 23 at 8:00 P.M.*

PRESS RELEASE BELOW:

Read more

Yea I know Alaska? word…it’s gonna be cold eeek! I gotta bust out my bubble jacket. Hope I have some time to scope out the scenic route. If I see some glaciers, moose, bears, and whales I’ll be so siked!  It’s supposed to be surrounded by an awesome wilderness of mountains and valleys, Im a sucker for that stuff. Shout out to Elizabeth Posey, OurTime crew, and the Hip Hop Association for putting me down on this wonderful youth project;) I’m excited to meet you guys, share the love, educate, and paint!

OUR TIME 2008
A a youth based (ages 18-35) voter registration drive and political education program (16-35) using hip hop to teach political process and how to use it to change your community. OurTime 2008 is a nonpartisan Civic Engagement Initiative of the Anchorage Urban League Young Professionals in Partnership with the Hip Hop Association based out of Harlem, New York.

illustration and design by yours truly;)
Read more

I got my Dunny’s in the mail today! It only took me 5 years to get down…I remember Kidrobot stepped up to all the graff ladies in o3′ at a near by coffee shop in Soho and invited us all to work on a Dunny. At the time we didn’t know what the whole vinyl phenomenon was about and most of us pretty much backed out because there was no pay involved and we didn’t know what to make of this funny looking figure with tall ears. I personally could not get around my character looking like a bunny or something. Anyway 5 years later! Series 5 comes about and  I was like it’s now or never, let’s do it! So here you go you little crazy vinyl fans your very own Toofly Dunny!!! It’s been a long time coming:)

Prefer a signed and numbered Toofly version with stickers? here you go…
Now available at Urban Outfitters stores nationwide!

Kidrobot Dunny Series 5!
Kidrobot has taken Dunny to the most insane level of complexity yet with 19 of the biggest players in the designer vinyl art toy arena.

Look out for masterpieces featuring overflowing amounts of creativity by Amanda Visell, Aya Kakeda, Clutter, Devilrobots, Dirty Donny, Frank Kozik, Huck Gee, JMGS//Jellymoon, Jesse LeDoux, JK5, Junko Mizuno, Kathie Olivas, MAD, Mad Barbarians, MISHKA, Reach, Sneaky Raccoon, Steven Harrington, TOOFLY!

Every Dunny comes complete with a collectible sticker.

Read more

Our first night out we attended the Hip Hop Ladies with Attitude exhibition at the TACHLESS. This has got to be the most tagged up building I’ve ever seen. This is def a griddy ass building…Catfight female graffiti portrait prints by F Lady looked dope!!! I got my Mickey joint to hang on my wall. Mickey I gotta get a signature next time your in NY! So I borrowed a few flicks from JUST from Ekosystem who’s flicks are mad official. Mine are a little dark and blurry:(

female graff artists paving the way…

Read more

My sister sent me this amazing animated video this morning from a John Lennon Interview…

A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.
- John Lennon

Thanks Pam, this is DOPE!

Lady Caprise Magazine on LADY CULTURE! I like the sound of that:)
My hommies Martha Diaz, Female Sneaker Fiend, Mama, 1Soul, and We B-Girlz inside too!

Shout to Lady Priss-K! thanks for dope interview:) Looking forward to the fashion shoot collabo lady!

Lady Caprice Magazine is the premier French publication that focuses on lifestyle choices and topics that affect the modern urbanista. We focus on urban couture and culture for the woman who wants to live outside of the box, stand out and make a statement. Read more

it’s official!
the Toofly Ray-Ban Project Colorize Billboard is up at the midtown tunnel heading into my hood. With tag and all!

Photos by Marko Jokic © 2008 Marko Jokic www.calmyoureyes.com

A little piece of art, with a shout out to all my peoples in Queens “STAYING TRUE” baby! Damn…I can’t believe it’s been 15 years since the Levi’s joint I did when I was a young’n. I wen’t digg’n in the crates for these…

Read more

The launch party for the Ray-Ban Project Colorize was at Henri Bendel’s on 5th ave yesterday. Lots’ of midtowners turned out. The peeps pulled through and added a little colorized fun to the crowd ha! THANK YOU GUYS!!!

Henri Bendel Store Window Display…cute!
flicks by Marko Jokic © 2008 Marko Jokic www.calmyoureyes.com

sneeky peek! at the official TF billboard. Hmmm, I still gotta make my way to check out the 60 foot version. If anyone get’s flicks send them along!

Triple take…

Okay picture time! Flick by my sister INKS

The official Colorized Crew pic…© 2008 Marko Jokic

Toofly Ray-Ban Customz. I think you have to buy something at Henri’s and see if you get the winning ticket or something…

More great flicks from my hommie Tony Peralta here, Wire Image here:
and Alice Mizrahi below…

Read more

The July 2008 Marie Claire Issue is out now! Check out the 5 New York City artists who are launching Ray Ban’s “PROJECT COLORIZE” for their new line of colored Wayfarers. Tara McPherson, Ron English, Toofly, Queen Andrea, and Scott Alger. Stay tuned for flicks of the huge ass billboards we created going up across Manhattan!

ray-ban.com

Read more

Oh yeah! my Toofly Fat Caps have arrived!!! I’ve officially posted them on my shop signed box and figure by yours truly;) Limited QTY’s. Ebay’s got a few but they ain’t signed ha!

Kidrobot’s Fat Cap Series - 2 Official Release: May 29!

I rocked this 18″ Custom Fat Cap design back in 07′ and it sold at the Kidrobot Paint Ball benefit to support the children’s foundation. I was sad to see it go;( I loved the way it came out. All hand painted baby! Luckily I got a chance to re-create it as 3″ mini version with a few minor revisions and it looks great!!! I love it!!!!!!!!! It’s my first official Kidrobot figure so go cop that shit!

There’s a 6″ Secret ticket? ooooohhhh….

Prepare to leave your mark, tag, scribble, throw-up, or piece in 2008 with Fat Cap Series 2. From wet, dripping corners worldwide, this newest series features the quicksilver skills from your favorite graffiti artists worldwide. Fat Caps are back with 17 new rattling personalities plus three uber rare chases including: Shok1, Tilt, Dalek, Tizieu, Milan, Mr Shane Jessup, Zeta, Lady Pink, Flying Fortress, Andre Charles, Nathalie Oswald, Toofly, Doma, Phetus, Mad, Pon, Sket One, and Quisp. Each figure is 3 inches tall with 20 designs in all.

Shout out to Nicole and Delphine for hooking it up and helping make it look tight!;)
I’m ready for the next one!

NYC Store
118 Prince Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 966-6688

ABOUT KIDROBOT

Founded by designer Paul Budnitz in 2002, Kidrobot is the world’s premier designer and retailer of limited edition art toys and apparel. Kidrobot merges urban street trends, fashion, and pop art to produce limited edition, collectible toys and apparel. Kidrobot products feature unique collaborations with top international artists with backgrounds as diverse as graffiti, fine art, fashion, industrial design, graphic design, illustration, and music.

Read more

Shout to my homegirl Gabriella for the collabo Mama T-Shirt on the upcoming fall “MI VIDA LOCA” line.
Looking forward to the photoshoot girl! EAST LA BABY Love them Chola Girls!

Mama interview on Label Networks TV