Upper Playground

Maria “Toofly” Castillo is a painter and illustrator from New York. Growing up in Queens, Toofly immersed herself in graffiti culture and developed her own hands styles and unique “around the way girl” characters.

“Brave Souls Illuminate” is a re-mix of new, and existing works that showcase Toofly's growth as young woman drawing and writing on the walls to mature well respected fine artist, designer, and visual arts producer.

Her existing works takes you on a journey of a self proclaimed, "around the way girl" using hard and fluid lines, handstyles, and self confidence to declare a spot in NYC's graffiti subculture dominated by men, and fierce attitude.

Her new works re-introduce the shades of grey that originally helped her pull in the raw emotions she grew up with, and surfaces new and improved. As she travels to reconnect time and space, the new pieces not only feel and look more mature, yet bring you back to the core of her spirit: "A brave being who looks to shine bright unapologetic from the inside out!"

”Brave Souls Illuminate” features new works and an installation on display at FIFTY24LA Gallery from November 11 – January 4, 2009.

 

****UPDATE****

Last week Toofly opened up her first solo show "Brave Souls Illuminate" at FIFTY24LA Gallery. If you're not in the area and can't check out the show for yourself, check out the flicks below...















































All Images: Urban Mosadi & Melinda Sanchez