Toofly
Contents
Biography
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 some exceptional 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, allowing her skills to be recognized by writers across the five boroughs.
By the time Toofly entered the School of Visual Arts (SVA), she had introduced her character to the walls of New York. At SVA, she applied her artistic skills to illustration and graphic design coursework. Finding inspiration in the New York urban landscape, this artist in the making began to juxtapose her "around the way girl" character against multi layered street imagery for various print and public art projects. 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 her independent fashion accessory, and stationary label made up of mini graffiti bags, limited edition t-shirts, and paper goods. In addition she has featured a new series of paintings called “Starz”, inspired by the sensual, physical, and emotional attributes of idolized females. In the Fall of 2005 Toofly was the sole female among the crew of graffiti writers the MOTUG company assembled for an exclusive line of t-shirts, sneakers, and toys bearing her signature character. During this time Toofly also collaborated on a city wide mural series for the crew alongside the likes of Ces, Cope2, Doze, Ewok, Ghost, NYC Lase, and T-Kid.
Toofly's art and design work have appeared in magazines such as Mass Appeal, Juxtapoz, Kicksclusive, Fuego, Urban Latino, The Source, URB, and Honey. Her street art is currently on display at the Graffiti Hall of Fame, Hunts Point in the Bronx, and various walls throughout Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Solo Shows
- Love Warrior, 2016
Designed Toy Releases
These are toys designed by Toofly.
Toy Series Participation
These are toys that Toofly has lent their design skills to.
- Bodega - Artist Pink, 2013
- Bodega - Artist Purple, 2013
- Dunny - 3" Dunny Fatale Series, 2010
- Dunny - 3" Series 5, 2008
- Fatcap - 2" Series 2, 2008
- Qee - 2.5" Motug Egg Series, 2006
Customs
These are one-off, or very limited, pieces.
- All City Style - "Getting Over" for Ladies Night, 2010
- "The Natural" for Ladies Night, 2010
- "Girl Mark" for Ladies Night, 2010
- Custom long board for Decked Out, 2006
- Fatcap - 20" Custom for Kidrobot's Paintball, 2006
- Circus Punks - custom for 100 Circus Punks Rule NYC, 2005
- All City Style - custom for Tag the System NYC, 2004
Images
Production Pieces
Dunny Series 5
Dunny Fatale
Fatcap Series 2
Motug Qee
Customs
for Ladies Night
Other Artwork
"The Natural" for Ladies Night
"Girl Mark" for Ladies Night
