TEFF, THE CHEF x THE GREEN SMOOTHIE

- [13-3-13] - teff, The Chef // photos by teff, THE don.
I enjoy the rich, green colour; especially how it does not taste as it looks.
[ Strawberry, green apple, banana and Tuscan kale smoothie] -
4 strawberries
1 whole apple
1 to 1/2 a banana, depending on your preference of taste a handful of kale - do your best not to chop the kale, so as to not risk losing some of its juice. Just pull the leaves.
Stick it in the freezer for about 30 minutes and enjoy.

Yum. The last time I made this, I had it with a slice of cake. Talk about counter-effective, huh? Yeah. Anyways, I'd like to apologise for my brief un-noted hiatus from this blog. I honestly had no intention on blogging until the entire thing was revamped and relaunched. But as I have observed, more and more time and slipping by and I have posts upon posts piling up, so it's best I begin to unload. Decided to start here. What's wild is that, I will be going on yet another hiatus rather soon. This one is as calculated, as it is, needed. This time, you will more than likely learn of it beforehand. Anyhow. Moving on --
Lately, I've returned to my Love for cooking and it feels oh-so refreshing. I've done well to tame my appetite to meet my desired health and physique. Cutting out a lot of junk foods (FYI, it's nearly one year since I've indulged McDonald's &/or Wendy's. Can I get an amen?) and adding on a lot of freshness and, of course, greenery, as well as daily exercise. I urge you all to take on the same challenge. It is sure to pay off in the long run. Invest in your bodies, as you do in your Soul; invest in yourselves. Peace.

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.

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.

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?

TEFF, THE DON x TOP 12 IN 2012

With less than three hours left to the year, which coincidentally, parallels D&&D's 3-year anniversary, I thought I'd venture onto something I'm yet to do in the past -- construct a countdown on my outfits of 2012. I mean, why not? After all, this medium was initially appropriated to encourage retrospective thought -- monitoring my growth as a thinker, writer, doer -- an Artist. I decided to do it in a monthly manner; January, February, March...you get the gist. Some of these outfits you may have seen, some, maybe not.
I have to admit, I planned on doing top 12 moments, but decided against it given the constraints of time. Anyways, I digress.

INTERLUDE: TEFF, THE DON x CHORUS OF ESCAPE

- [9-3-12] - Spring in Atlanta, who would've calculated it would afford me so much bliss? Quality time with quality people, walks through 5 Point, rummaging through thrift shops, playing dress-up, partying in heels that are entirely too uncomfortable, endless grooving to [West] African music. On top of it all, my body complied with my deep desire to vacate the norm; I tend to get sick whenever I travel. I suppose it's my slow-to-warm-up personality, transcending its psychological realm.
The ability to seize moments in photographs is incomparable; sifting through these photographs, months later, indulging in remnants of memories relished. That's partly what continuously stirs my interest in photography -- that element alone is abundant enough to inspire

INTERLUDE: THE (MUSE)UM PROJECT x MOLLY SERIES (RELOADED)

- [27-11-11] - There are nights where I go without sleep just long enough to seek ways to occupy myself. I find myself revisiting old work over and over, usually within those hours. I deeply enjoy it; I create an opportunity to re-edit and award new meaning to what once was. Darkness, mystery and a lot of volume -- elements I believe that are parallel to my initial vision for this project. Click here to see originals + more. Peace.

THE EXPRESSIONIST'S CREED x VOL.5 | RUMBLING ROAMAN

- [6-12-12] - There is nothing I enjoy more than wandering aimlessly — in any street, in any avenue; transcending dimension; physical, mental, emotional, Spiritual. Hence, the wordplay seen in the term, Roaman. My self-designed mantra dictates: Will. Wander. Wonder. Wallow. Weep. Win.

These photographs were taken during my first trip to Jersey in nearly 4 years. The trip constituted indulging in The Archetects-related work, much-needed delicious Dominican food (Zunyda’s Dominican, by the way) + more. When I was in high-school, one of my close friends was of Dominican descent and I literally planted myself at home, simply to delight in the dishes native to her culture.
It's always thrilling, when getting to know someone, taking in as much of them as you can, assessing, analysing and relating. Zunyda and I have only known each other for as long as I've been blogging (she was one of my first followers on here), but only graduated to a more personal level upon being contracted to do a shoot for her early last year. Over time, we sought out and embraced our commonality in aesthetics. Hence, the key reason to our current collaboration.

What I find most amazing is the fact I have had this project in the planning stage for quite a while, it was just a matter of finding a befitting partner whose vision, determination and skill complemented mine. After all, quality work requires quality time. And, I am grateful I cultivated patience and waited. Peace.

THE PROJECT PREVIEW x VERSE IV

- [12-11-12] - I have this incredibly foul habit of assuming this blog and my tumblr share the same array of readers. Usually, when I post something here, I fail to post it there and, vise-versa; resting on that very assumption. As a result, I'm nearly sure a good number of you get lost in translation. But I digress.
With immense pride and excitement, I present to You, a sample of what I have come to call, Alchemy (it was initially regarded as The Prototype, but was most recently changed to a much more fitting term) - a preview to an upcoming joint-collection with myself and good friend/fellow Artist, Zunyda Maya. I design and, well, she performs the purest form of magic in her sewing skills. As aforementioned, I initially intended to release this on my birthday (November 8th), but regretfully, due to Hurricane Sandy and her setbacks, I couldn’t. With this bit, you can see a piece of me with the three-pleat knee-patch detail; to know me is to know my fixation with the concept of Three.

In the meantime, click here to watch The Prelude - a short, documentary-style I directed to illustrate who we are, what we do, what we intend to do and much more. More information to be released to along with a video + photo lookbook on 12-12-12. Peace.

TEFF x COMPANY | THE ARCHETECTS PRESENTS: THE PRELUDE [B.T.S.]

Photographed by: Slick Jackson.

[28-11-12] - Peace, world! I hope these words sit as well with you, as it does me. It takes a special brand of perception to understand that: quality work, requires quality time. I came into this realisation shortly after moments of self-imposed criticism; I wondered why and when will I begin to put much more action, behind words. And, to what extent was I willing to see myself go? Do I continue to make this journey alone? It occurred to me it had happened again - self-evaluation, the token catalyst to self-growth - had happened again. This time, however, it transpired a bit different. I realised I had reached that very moment most do when they grasp onto the fact they're finally doing what they've longed to do - for what seems like entirely too long. And, your heart beats three beats too fast; your palms, remain sweaty; your thoughts, cluttered, yet fluid; your eyes, bright; your words, more fluent. If this is what the beginning feels like, there's no telling the quality and brand of high that awaits me once I reach the zenith. I am excited, however - excited that the Universe has permitted the merging of myself and my partner, Zunyda's paths.
Here are some behind the scenes shots taken while filming “The Archetects Presents: The Prelude” with Slick Jackson yesterday. The Archetects is a creative, collaborative effort comprised of visual Artists, inclusive of myself and dear Zunyda, with a focus on infusing structured with free-form Art. Peace.

INTERLUDE: TEFF, THE DON x GANGSTER-CHIC

- [9-4-12] In an effort to usher in some long-overdue posts, I have decided to create a mini and sure to short-lived sub-section. Just until I am through with the publishing each post, that is.
To further illustrate how my overlapping schedule has crippled the fluidity of my posts, take a quick glance at the date. Also, look to lookbook to configure precisely how long ago this was posted. What I find most intriguing is: immediately following the photographing of these pictures, I was painfully eager to share this - like, I gravely anticipated this post. However, got consumed with whatever followed afterward. It happens - losing hold of time and what you intend/-ed to do with it. Anyhow.

As 2012 comes to a close and 2013 draws near, the need to free my to-do list of occurrences within the year grows progressively dire. I have a month and change to play catch-up, to say the least. Woo! Heaven, I pray I find time. Given the gravity of the newly-established projects - having kicked-off a joint-collaboration with dear friend, Zunyda, for one. Together, we go by, "The Arche-tects". I have my hands in a few more works, as well. As a result, I am entirely more busy these days than usual. I suppose that's the price I have to pay for dreaming and reaching for the realisation for said dreams. All-in-all, incredibly excited to be doing what I have always seen for myself and eager to invest time where it will do most good. Peace.

THE EXPRESSIONIST'S CREED | NAUGHTY Y NAUTICAL

[01-9-12] - Observe how the use of the term, "manifesto" quickly manifested into "creed" in a matter of weeks? I'm like that; I seek change. As titillating a quality as it is to have, it has its downfalls. I seek change perhaps, too often.

I had the utmost fun shooting these. My neighbors some two doors down kept peeking, trying to figure out exactly what I was up to. Even though I had grown exhausted after shooting [W]itches Brew, the laid-back ease of the outfit transcended in the air that enveloped the entire process, it seems. Peace.