Meet Toofly | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Toofly and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Toofly, why did you pursue a creative career?
As a kid who loved to draw and stayed close to art. When it was time to choose a career, I applied to Fashion Industries H.S. Back then, I thought I wanted to be a designer because I loved styling my outfits, it’s what NY 90’s energy was all about. I didn’t like sewing so I switched to art to spend more time drawing and painting. In the mix of commuting from Queens to Manhattan I started tagging. It was a lot of fun, and adventurous as well as rebellious. I met Sabe in 1992′ — our encounter influenced me a lot. My world expanded as I stepped deeper into the male dominated graffiti scene. Everything I wanted to do as an artist changed. I envisioned “Street Art” before it became what it is today. I would dream of creating big and beautiful murals on walls. When I entered the School of Visual Arts I took computer classes and learned graphic design. That helped me get work, and stay financially stable many years after graduating. After a while I built up the courage to make it on my own. In 2012 I became a full time artist. Today I run my own business with services in art, design, and education. A wonderful creative career for a free spirit like myself.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think what sets me apart is that I have a unique story as a graffiti woman. I was one of the few, if not the only woman in the early 90’s to tag female characters on the wall. There were other graff women tagging and bombing, but none of them were creating figurative works in NY. Painting large colorful women on the walls 5Pointz that you can see from the7 train got my name out. I stuck to it, that is how I got up. It was all happening at the start of a much bigger movement “Street Art” unfolding daily. We did not have the internet just yet, and the first graffiti books I encountered were Spraycan Art and Subway Art. I got to see a photo the legendary Lady Pink, the godmother to us all. I learned about the 70’s and 80’s painting subway cars but in my time the trains were already buffed. I saw they had exhibitions, and were part of films but I was too young to roam in those circles. Graffiti women in their teens and in the 90’s for the most part were underground. I started to carve out an entirely new route with my work and when it got on the web it reached the masses fast.

I am most proud of creating my own mark because it was beginning of my journey and my own art story. It is because of my character and name that I have been able to build a world for myself where I can thrive as an artist. At 15 I knew nothing of the art world and I was learning about graffiti do’s and don’ts. 30 years later it’s become something very special worldwide, and I am now part of it. New York City is the birthplace of Hip Hop, and the 90’s golden era added an entire new flavor and style to the movement.

Like many things in NY it was not easy. The 90’s were a tough too. Violence, and hate in an ego driven environment didn’t go so well at times. I overcame the challenges of being a 5’2″ female with a soft heart in a space dominated by big, and tough men. Even women were a disappointment at times when their loyalty or sisterhood was tested. I learned that you can not be discouraged by anything or anyone as you navigate the ills of the culture. You can not let anyone bring you down, or stop you from doing what you want to do. You are a creator. If there is no safe space for you, then you carve one out and keep it moving.

I would like the world to know that a non traditional route exists to get to where you want to be in life. Today women artists are no longer a minority thanks to the work we each put in graffiti and street art. My story and the story of many in this arena is similar in ways, and different in others. We all give our respect to the pioneers first and foremost. The young people of color who created this culture from nothing when NYC was broke are what got us here. We made something of ourselves, and in the process helped the culture transform and evolve.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I was raised in Corona, Queens and the food in many areas is the bomb. True New Yorkers know. Many come to Queens to eat Peruvian, Colombian, Mexican, Ecuadorian, Cuban, Chino Latino, Indian, and much more.

Before leaving Queens check out the Welling Court Mural Project in Astoria. There’s an array of Street Art Murals to enjoy before walking over to the East River ferry. Once on the boat make a few stops to experience the boat ride to manhattan.

Stop in Long Island City, Williamsburg, or Dumbo. The neighborhood stroll, restaurants, and city views are the best in these areas.

You can continue your itinerary on the ferry all the way to Pier 17 Wall Street. If you still have the energy make your way up to Chinatown for noodles, dumplings, or fried rice, but also try their bakeries. Try the holic!

Continue your stroll up to soho to visit some art galleries, shop, or admire the industrial architecture in this area. Don’t forget to try NY’s cheesecake they have a few spots. If you take a right while you are downtown you can make it to the Lower East Side and dive into NY City History at museums, galleries, and Puerto Rican neighborhoods. They have a large amount of gardens in alphabet city.

There’s so much to experience in NY. Take the train anywhere and dive into any neighborhood when you are feeling courageous and you will get a real feel for the community that lives there, their cuisine, and culture.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a shout out to my mom for her support and encouragement to do what I love, even if it was vandalism. I also want to shout out my mentors in H.S like Shirley Taylor, and Mr H who bailed me out of the dean’s office for tagging in school. My love rock, and my friends who continue to support and believe in me.

Website: tooflynyc.com

Instagram: @toofly_NYC