TOOFLY is one of NYC’s hottest graffiti artists. not only is she dope, but she’s a gal who’s holding down the graffiti scene amongst a scene that’s historically been dominated by men. legal or illegal, TOOFLY‘s art is has been a passion that’s driven her current career since she was knee high, “at one point in my youth I took a marker and wrote an alias name on a wall illegally,” says TOOFLY of an art career that first budded in Queens, “the mark I made years ago has grown to mean so much more.”
a self-taught savant of sorts, TOOFLY didn’t learn graffiti writing the conventional way, “I pretty much taught myself by looking at what I saw on walls, rooftops and black books,” says TOOFLY “there was never any old school head in particular who would take me under their wing and “school me.” instead, TOOFLY found herself admiring the work of LADY PINK from afar; from that, she found her signature style. at 15, TOOFLY’s eye caught the work of an artist named SABE “[he] did huge character illustrations with markers,” she says “I wanted to be the female version of what he did,” and hence the stage was set for what would become TOOFLY’s legacy.
in terms of her artistry, TOOFLY is only in the game to grow as an artist, sans the politics and bullshit, “It was great not to have to deal with a male writer trying to date you, make you part of their crew, or involve you in any graffiti gossip,” she says. the fact that she’s a female graffiti artist and title aside, it’s safe to say she’s doing it her way.
