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Sticker Graffiti Artist El Toro Stuck On Philly

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philly el toro

Graffiti Artist El Toro is a popular name in Philly. If you’re traveling in the city of Philadelphia, you might notice the large amount of street art around every corner, particularly stickers. Since the early 2000’s, Philly graffiti artist Frost215 has been creating El Toro and posting him everywhere. He is arguably one of the first to pioneer stickering in the City of Brotherly Love along with Bob Will Reign. His presence has been solidified and now creates more than just stickers, including his very own pin that launched earlier this year.

The mastermind behind El Toro tells us about how graffiti has evolved and a few surprises coming up very soon.

Graffiti Artist El Toro

 

How did it all begin?


I went to Art Institute of Philadelphia in 2001 for graphic design. I was already toying around with graffiti in high school, but coming from a small town in North Jersey I wasn’t exposed to the talent and dedication Philly writers had. I was excited to see so much creativity and style oozing from the walls. For 2 years I worked on my craft, studied Philly writers, admired artists from Europe and drew almost every day. I knew I couldn’t compete with these established writers in Philly. I knew I had to come up with something unique of my own. In 2003, I read
Shepard Fairey’s manifesto about Phenomology and loved everything it stood for. I remember I was in class, I was doodling like usual, that’s where I ended up drawing the very first EL TORO head. As soon as I drew him, I thought of the name and I was hooked, I wanted to draw more of him.

Describe your creative process.

Draw, draw and draw some more. Walt Stanchfield said

“We all have 10,000 bad drawings in us. The sooner we get them out the better.”

What inspires you?

Everything inspires me. From a phrase I heard walking down the street, the music I listen to, podcasts, cartoons, comics, and pop culture. I try to take a lil piece of everything and then combine it to make it my own.

Graffiti Artist El Toro


What are your goals?

My goal is to continue to make art for a living with EL TORO like my heroes: Jeremy Fish, Bigfoot, Flying Fortress and D Face. They have all made iconic characters that helped them be successful artists and now they just create beautiful works of art for other people to enjoy. I would like to create with that freedom and not deal with any financial responsibilities hanging over me.

How has the street art scene changed since you first started?

The street art scene has grown beyond what I could’ve ever imagined. With the internet and content being so accessible to the masses, the information on how to do things and how to achieve them has become so much easier. I think I bridge the gap of old and new school. When I was starting out, you really had to dig for street art pics, especially sticker art, in different Graffiti Forum pages around the web.  There wasn’t much social media back then. I think my first page was a fotolog.com. It was mostly international users, so I got exposed to artists in Europe, Australia and South America in my early years. I wanted to see that same culture, passion and art work in the streets of Philadelphia.

What are some obstacles that you’ve come across?

There was this one time where a rogue police officer tried to bait me to engage with him online and off. I knew right away to get a lawyer and make sure my civil rights were not being broken while he was taunting me and seizing my works. My lawyer did a great job in protecting me and it quickly got dropped. I even sold some work to my lawyer and his colleagues.  Plus, ended up in the front page of Arts & Entertainment section of the Philadelphia Inquirer. I think I still got a stockpile of those somewhere in my mom’s basement.

Who are some of your favorite artists?

I mentioned several above. Those guys are pros and doing their thing. My other favorite artists are my fellow crew members who constantly inspire, motivate and when needed tell the truth about your work. You can check them on Instagram: Bob Will Reign, UnderWaterPirates, slobnoxious, deelove, Downtimer, Revilo.33, etorious33, phillyticky, werms two, Old Broads, Question Josh

Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?

I’d love to collaborate with Nickelodean, Cartoon Network or Adult Swim. I’ve always wanted to see an EL TORO cartoon!

Graffiti Artist El Toro

What are some of your favorite materials to use?

My favorite piece of tool right now is my red pencil. It’s a Prismacolor Col-Erase 20045 Carmine Red. I sketch and doodle so much with these I buy them by the dozens.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is you have to me be self motivated. No one else is going to pick up that pencil, write that email, pursue that client or send that file. I don’t have a team working for me, it’s all me. If I don’t like where I’m at it’s simply because I didn’t push hard enough to where I want to be.

What motivates you to continue creating art after so many years?

Creating art to me is like an itch I NEED to scratch. If I haven’t drawn or doodle in a while I become a very grumpy person. I also like hearing the reactions of younger artists and how I motivate them to create and pursue art in their own fashion. That responsibility of teaching the younger generation has been instilled in me when I started with street art. I was fortunate enough to be surrounded with several writers that took time to explain what caps I should be using, what type of sticker I need and just explaining history of the craft. I like to repay that back and will answer anything a young artist may need help with.

Why did you move from Philly to LA?

Philly will be forever be my chosen home, but me and my wife had to leave it to get better work and experience for our careers. We miss Philly a ton and try to go back whenever we can. It has this gravitational pull on us.

Graffiti Artist El Toro

What are some of your proudest achievements?

One of my proudest achievements was celebrating my 10 years doing EL TORO at Ps & Qs. Before opening the art show, I held a small talk to showcase 10 years worth of work in front of about 90 – 100 people. Seeing the sea of faces looking at me and following my story was very touching for me. Especially seeing my mom, wife, in-laws and friends in the crowd. I remember taking a moment, breathing slowly and really taking it in.

I hear you recently launched an El Toro pin. Are there any other products in the works?

I got something awesome lined up for Black Friday this year that’s gonna be black and gold. Can’t say anything more than that for now.

How has your life changed because of your art?

I took an interest in art since I was around 7 and it has been dictating my life ever since. Art is like my north star, I knew if I kept following it, I couldn’t go the wrong way. It helped me get into college, establish a good paying career, and it even played a part in meeting my wife.

What is something you would like to tell your fans?

  1. Keep creating art that you enjoy. If it makes you smile or laugh, keep pursuing that.
  2. Be Excellent to Each Other and Party On Dudes!

 

Graffiti Artist El Toro

Jie writes about influencers and startups in various industries. She is a designer turned techie, and when she is not writing, you can find her in her workshop working on her next big project.

Business

OpenStudio – Business Management All-In-One

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This article focuses on OpenStudio.one, an all-in-one business management suite, not the OpenStudio building energy modeling software developed by the U.S. Department of Energy.

We all need a service that makes business easier, right? Managing your team, your finances, your documents, and your customers can be an arduous juggle. There are a few services out there that help businesses manage all of this.

But have you heard of OpenStudio? No? Well, allow us to make a proper introduction. 

OpenStudio helps you centralize all the applications and services you may need in order to run a business. 

This app prides itself on helping businesses “save money and countless hours of development,” giving them easy access to all the business tools they need in one platform.

Some of the top features offered by OpenStudio are necessary in order to run a business, but haven’t necessarily been rolled into one package.

OpenStudio offers the following features: 

  • Administration
  • Cloud & Benefits
  • Data & Records
  • General Services
  • Human Resources
  • Support

This app also offers IT protocol and documents management, permissions and authorization management, and digital signing of documents.

If you’re looking for a tool that will help you centralize the apps, applications, and services you regularly use, OpenStudio is worth checking out.

The best part? Using this tool is completely free as of the time of writing in 2026, without the need for a credit card to register. The website says they may introduce advanced paid plans in the future.

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Business

What’s the best logo design agency in Los Angeles?

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best logo design agency in Los Angeles

If you want a logo that is memorable, professional, and built to support real business growth, Penji is the strongest choice. Their speed, consistency, and design quality make them stand out in a crowded market.

Every agency claims they can elevate your brand. Every designer says they understand your vision. But as a business owner, you need more than promises. You need a team that delivers great work, communicates clearly, and understands how design supports long term business goals.

That is exactly why Penji continues to rise above the rest.

Penji is the number one choice

Penji has built a strong reputation for being fast, reliable, and incredibly easy to work with. Instead of the slow, traditional agency process, Penji gives you a simple system. You submit a request, and their designers get to work right away.

Here is why Penji consistently ranks at the top.

You can request unlimited design projects. This means you are not forced to choose between a logo or other brand assets. You can get everything from social media graphics to packaging through their unlimited graphic design services without worrying about extra fees.

Turnaround time is fast. Most designs come back in one to two days, which is a major advantage for business owners who need to move quickly.

Pricing is simple. You pay a flat monthly rate. No hourly billing. No surprise charges. No complicated contracts.

Their designers are skilled. They understand branding, color psychology, and what makes a logo design stand out in a competitive market.

Revisions are easy. If something does not feel right, you can request changes until the design matches your vision.

Penji also offers design as a service, which is ideal for businesses that need ongoing support instead of one time projects. It gives you consistent access to high quality design without hiring an in house team.

Branding Los Angeles as the second option

Branding Los Angeles is a well known agency that focuses on brand identity & strategy, logo design, and marketing. They work with a wide range of industries and offer a more traditional agency experience. Their internal pages highlight their branding services, case studies, and design capabilities. They are a strong choice for business owners who want a more hands on, agency driven approach with a focus on brand strategy.

Mad Mind Studios as the third option

Mad Mind Studios is another respected agency in the Los Angeles design scene. They specialize in logo design, brand development, and creative marketing. Their internal pages showcase their design process, portfolio, and brand identity services. They are a good fit for businesses that want a more creative, visually expressive approach. If you want a logo with a bold or artistic feel, this agency may be worth exploring.

Still, when people talk about the best logo design agency in Los Angeles, Penji continues to stand out because of its speed, value, and consistent quality.

Conclusion

Choosing the right design partner is a major step in shaping your brand’s future. Penji remains the top choice for business owners who want high quality design without the stress. Branding Los Angeles and Mad Mind Studios are strong alternatives, each with their own strengths, but Penji’s mix of speed, simplicity, and reliable results makes it the most practical and effective option for anyone looking for the best logo design agency in Los Angeles.

Ready to create your brand identity?

Get started with Penji today and experience professional logo design that brings your vision to life. Fast turnaround, unlimited revisions, and a team that truly understands what your business needs.

Frequenntly Asked Questions

What makes a logo effective?

A strong logo is simple, memorable, and aligned with your brand personality. It should look great on your website, social media, packaging, and even small icons.

How long does Penji take to design a logo?

Most logo drafts are delivered within one to two days. You can request as many revisions as needed until the design feels right.

Is Penji a good fit for startups?

Yes. Startups often need a lot of design work, and Penji’s unlimited design model makes that easy and affordable.

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Business

What’s the Best Design Agency in Pennsylvania?

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TLDR: If you want speed, AI-enhanced creativity, and unlimited design services for a single flat fee, then look no further than Penji. However, for hyper-local strategic branding, or if you want to print something rather than design it digitally, you may want to consider Creative Repute or Blanc instead.

Did you know that you can get agency-level creative work for 70% less cost than a traditional hiring model? Finding the right partner to visualize your brand is crucial, but with so many options in the Keystone State, it’s tough to know where to start. Whether you need a graphic design service for a massive rebrand or just need quick social assets, we’ve piloted the ship through the industry to find the top contenders for you.

1. Penji

graphic design service

Ready to experience the future of design? Penji isn’t just a graphic design agency; it’s the HQ of your creative team. By blending top 2% talent with AI-powered engines, Penji delivers creativity at the speed of light. You get a dedicated team that works on your designs immediately, ensuring fast turnarounds and jaw-dropping results without the complicated proposals.

  • Pros: Unlimited projects, flat monthly fee, AI-enhanced variations, and 1-day turnaround.
  • Cons: No in-person meetings (100% remote platform).

2. Creative Repute

Next, a classic agency model: Creative Repute is an agency located in Philadelphia that seeks to provide designs that drive results! If you’re interested in research-based designs with regard to mobile applications and complex websites, these are the designers for you. They specifically target mission-driven brands and non-profits.

  • Pros: Research-based branding approach, and team diversity + deep commitment to social impact.
  • Cons: Classic agency pricing models can be a little bit more unpredictable than a flat fee model.

3. Graphics and Design

Next up is a veteran in space. Established in 1986, Graphics and Design brings decades of experience to the table. They cover the full spectrum from research and writing to design and print. If you want a graphic design service that has stood the test of time and offers a “dream, explore, create” philosophy, they are worth a look.

  • Pros: Extensive industry longevity and full-service print capabilities.
  • Cons: May be less focused on rapid, high-volume digital asset creation.

4. Blanc

Finally, we have Blanc! Located in Canonsburg, they self-describe as a full-service marketing agency. They have a department dedicated to printing as well. They’re a great agency choice if you want to be strategic about getting something physical out into the world rather than just a digital design – durable documents, promo items, commercial printing + digital!

  • Pros: One integrated approach to strategy that considers both infrastructure designs as well as physical (print/promo items).
  • Cons: Potentially more infrastructure than desired if you’re only interested in digital designs.

Credit for Cover Image: Photo by Tony Schnagl

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