TEFF, THE DON x GARDEN OF HEATHENS

- [18-1-13] - The ability to see beyond the appropriated purpose of most things and, have that transcend in every facet of your Being is a character quality I am most prideful of. Peace.

THE (MUSE)UM PROJECT: THE ARCHETECTS x PRODUCT + PROMO SHOTS

Photo series by: The Expressionist.

- [08-1-13] - When the talk of shooting product shots for The Archetects's website, we collectively drew the conclusion that we did not want the typicality of city setting as a backdrop. We convened and mentally-scouted possible locations out in New Jersey. We settled with this park with wood-like settings and a lodge off on the side and sunset just beyond the trees. To see the rest, click here to see the rest and visit TheArchetects.com and shop the Alchemy pieces. The trousers should be available by week's end. Peace.

VIDEO: FAMILY BAND x "MOONBEAMS"

Directed by - Sam Macon | Cinematographer - Travis Auclair.

A toast -- to the unending quest for quality and the brand of conscience and enlightenment it brings along. The ability to elude the evidently abundant frivolities the inter-web world has to offer and reach and grab a firm hold on a piece of work worth experiencing, indulging and sharing. To delve into minds and distinguish the difference between those with sight and, those with vision. Which brings me to one of my favourite past-times -- perusing the ever-so diverse, Love-assuring, and awe-inspiring compendium that is Vimeo's coveted "Staff Pick".

Which is what brought about my stumbling onto this fine work here by Brooklyn-based folk band, with an ambient, dark, mood-commanding, haunting flare, comprised of frontwoman, Kim Krans and husband,Jonny Ollsin. I was most captivated by the freeze frame, then eventually, the choice of concept and its translation in the visuals; it's a tasteful concoction of gleefully grim. I could not resist; it aroused that desire to embrace that which is foreign and unknown to me. I mean, upon the start of video, you're almost immediately lured in and forced to wonder what might have brought about the idea for the video. To me, it's a direct reflection of the essence Life and Love -- the overwhelming desire to seek someone who is as willing to dwell in the light, as they are in the dark; so long as that dwelling is with you. Beautiful. Peace.

TEFF, THE DON x THE MACHIAVELLIAN ALTRUIST

- [14-1-13] - By definition, a machiavellian schemes and is of the cunning sort; in contrast, an altruist is, for lack of a better word, unselfishness. This is me -- the machiavellian altruist. This is as black and white as I can paint it.

One of my most favourite times to shoot has to be what most photographers regard as the "magic hour"; it lies at the cusp of that very moment, just before sunrise or sunset - the first and last hour of sunlight in the day. Or, at least, when the day is at the perfect center of sunny and glum to mimic it. That was the case the day these photos were taken, by my lovely cousin, Lo. And, of course, edited by me. Peace.

ALCHEMY, THE LOOK-BOOK x THE ARCHETECTS

- [12-12-12] - The Alchemy collection is comprised of two key pieces that focuses on infusing African wax fabric with leather, hence, the use of the term, Alchemy; designed by teff, THE don, sewn by Zunyda Watson. The design will extend into a variety of prints and patterns, as well as specific to the coming seasons(s/s). Each piece photographed here were handmade and are unisex, as are the pieces that are available in the online shop.

In light of having finally permitted vision to manifest into the material-world, creating a brand with a fellow wonderful Artist late last year, you would think I'd be the first to report it. Well, technically, I was; it just simply was not on this platform. I think of it as the most pleasant way to bring the year to a close. There really isn't much to say, nor to add that has not been already. I will, however, say that I am enthralled and I employ you to be as, if not, more enthralled than I am. Click here to view the site and shop! Peace.

INTERLUDE: TEFF, THE DON x POLKA-DOTTIE

- [16-11-11] - It happened -- right as I was coveted by retrospective thought which guided me to seek solace in my collective on lookbook, I realised I failed to post this set of photos. In that moment, I bit the inner bottom lip to punish what bit of absent-mindedness may have caused such a mistake. Then, I realised I had take the photos shortly prior to having formatted my memory card wrong during a photo-shoot, which resulted in the loss of every single file I had on it. As fate would have it, 97% of it was restored, free of damage. One of which being the photo of my neat, little Oxfords. Well, a year later, here is what I believe was intended to be the thirty-something installation to my sub-segment titled, Campus-Cool. Peace.

PHOTO-DIARY | SHOWROOM VISIT + RAMBLING

- [11-1-13] - A short 11 days into the year and it's already shaping up to be one of the most fruitful, which is cause for celebration, to say the least. For starters, my partner, Zunyda and I launched our site and online shop most recently; click here to view. For now, we have our premier collection titled, Alchemy; designed by myself and sewn by Zunyda. The shop will soon feature
Also, collaborating with 2 major brands, one of which is the source of the photos above and below and curating a show at The Brooklyn Museum of Art next month and then some (will release details of that soon). So, it goes without saying; I am deep into actualities that are most fitting with the path that I've personally set for myself. I find myself reveling in alone time more frequent than usual. I recall a time where I used to create self-portraits on a daily basis. Self-portraits are the surest representation of loneliness and solitude - luxuries which I have been denied of as of late. Speaking of which; if you follow me on tumblr, you would have caught on to the fact that my 365 Project was put on hold. Regretfully, of course. However, tomorrow (technically later on today; the time is currently 3:41AM 'cause my sleep schedule is irregular-as-fuck), I have quite a bit lined up for myself. Just thought I'd give way to this textual spill before calling it a night.

For those attentively tuned in, let me break it down: I live upstate and in the Bronx; the X is where I am most busy partaking in actual real world endeavours and Upstate is where I retreat and cultivate time to document it all on the web. No matter how busy I am, I never want to lose sight of my sense of documenting, especially textually. That's chiefly my reason for creating this blog, and keeping a diary, and keeping a second diary, and, soon, a third, and a notepad, and why I still entertain Twitter. My thoughts come to me so deep and so dark and so vast and so colourful and so enlightening that I just simply have to pour in an effort to make room for much more. Anyways, I digress.

For fun-sake, I'll leave you to guess what brand this showroom belongs to. Keep checking in to see when I update the post, revealing the correct answer, why don't cha? Peace.

TEFF, THE DON x DANK && DAPPER

- [3-1-13] - Winter and its shortened days are a constraint to a natural-light photographer like as myself. It builds this overcrowding sense of urgency around my creative process, but in its own way, awards a bit of structure. My mind is stained with the idea that I must do this at that time in order to achieve desired results.

I recall proposing the set-up of a photography workshop, dedicated to lending lessons to willing and able beginner student Summer of 2011, but withdrew citing the fact that I am not naturally patient. Therefore, I may be very poorly-versed in teaching. However, these past two days with my baby-brother, King and my little cousin, Lota, I think that’s something I can reconsider for the very near future. Maybe this coming summer, who knows?

THE EXPRESSIONIST'S CREED x VOL.6 | ANONYMITY

- [4-1-13] - A vast array of emotions consumed me at the thought of creating, every day, consistently, for an entire year. However, the concept of having to apply makeup on a daily basis did not arouse me in the least bit, considering I seldom do. I recalled an idea I shared on this blog probably two years ago, then presented to my fellow Archetect, Zunyda sometime over this past summer. It is, sadly, a concept that has perhaps been implemented already, filed under, "[oftentimes] no idea is original". It catered to my desire to have began publicising my work under anonymity. To have tailored my work to project my aesthetics, yet keep the knowledge of my face hidden. To have heard my name dictated in dialogue, with my image unknown to the tongue who spoke it. Sort of like the likes of Banksy and MF Doom. Till this day, very few have the knowledge of how either Artists look. Imagine, your favourite Artist was the stranger you shared kind words with that one Summer afternoon on the subway. Or, perhaps, that neighbour that's adamant on greeting you each morning on your way to work. And, you hadn't the slightest idea. The idea, alone, is crippling in its abundance of thrill.

Since learning an idea I had for a creative project had already been done, I grew a bit discouraged. That is, until I grew overwhelmed by the Spirit of innovation. I tailored the concept to fit me, as depicted in the photographs above and below. I shot this in the course of 30 minutes, however, in retrospect, I can't help but feel like I should have exhausted more time in the shooting process. Perhaps, on a later day, on a different subject.
There is this unspoken sense of allure in the disregard of physical beauty and standards in the work that I so deeply enjoy. I plan to continue to implement the no i-D; anonymity element in works to come. Peace.

VIDEO: STREET ETIQUETTE x BARBERSHOP | LUANDA, ANGOLA

After reviewing distinguished NY-based men's style blog, Street Etiquette's recap and coverage on their recent trip to Luanda, Angola appropriated for an installation titled, Travel Etiquette, I settled with posting this very video. The visuals of which immediately hit home; the instant I spotted the razor+comb combo, I was transported to one of the most memorable moments of my childhood.

See, my parents arranged for my older brother to have a barber on-call for reasons I cannot recall. The barber had been this young neighbourhood boy who just happened to be well-versed in the art of barbering. He, too, used the razor+comb combo, as do most barbers do in most parts of Africa given the natural and explosive Spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation ushered in by scarcity of luxuries such as electricity and so on. I remember marveling at the precision the Art of wielding a razor+comb combo required and, how the results were just as compelling as utilizing a pair of clippers. I see now, after not having been within the realms of home, Africa in over a decade, that that skill still holds water. I can begin, but words will fail me if I began to express how refreshing it was to see this -- to get a brief, yet fulfilling taste of what home entails. To view the coverage in its entirety, click here. Enjoy; Peace.

TEFF, THE DON x VIOLATE VIOLET

- [2-1-13] - In my honest opinion, the best part of creative projects, is awarding it a name. Once you do, it begins to take on character qualities; colour, shape, dimensions, and so on. Stirring up excitement.

A mixture of excerpts from my self-shooting session for my 365 Project, as mentioned in the post below, as well as some shots that are a result of giving my baby-brother, King some lessons (the outside shots were directed by me, shot by my King; the inside are by me).
The year is anew, and brings with it a bittersweet fleet of new projects. Honestly, the may be the only moment I will have to give 95% attention to maintaining my blog(s). Pride will allow me to admit that I am making good with the free time, 'cause come this weekend, I will be plunging into a sea of labor. Excitement consumes me, to say the least.

PHOTO-DIARY | TEFF, THE DON x 365 PROJECT

Day 1-3 of 365, with the exception of one photo that was taken last year. The past couple of days has constituted sleep-deprivation coupled with an irregular sleep sifting quite a bit of magazines, namely that of the home decor sort; see, I once had interior-decorating aspirations. Admittedly, still do. These days have also included clinging to the commitment of my 365 project. I like waking up with the purpose of creating. I used to say this, and quite frequently, too, "to live is to create." So, I wake up and my mind is immediately wandering, racing in an effort to create and/or capture. Venturing on this 365 project is mostly to strengthen my ability to remain consistent. Anyone else on the same kick? Or, perhaps, has anyone done so in the past? How is it coming along? Be so kind as to share with me, if you care to. Peace.