Set to 'Toxic' by Britney Spears, filmed in New York City, cello music by Well Strung.
Dancers: Sophia Stephanopoulos, Marcelo Martinez Martinez.
Choreo by Brian Norris and Daevid Mendivil.
Directed, filmed and edited by Daevid Mendivil.

This winter I've been lucky enough to receive custom beautiful knit work from my friend.
he is also an amazing artist. You can buy his knit work here: style-now.com

Sometimes it is hard to view things objectively when you are in the middle of it, but i think it is very important to save yourself from becoming something -or part of something- that you don't want to be identified with.

This was the case for me when I found myself working for an employer whose work practices and ethics I couldn't personally subscribe to. I know it is hard for most people to just get up and go away from a bad work situation, specially since it isn't so easy to find a job these days and financial responsibilities do not 'take breaks', but, if you have the possibility, I suggest that you save yourself from being a part of something that does not match who you are as a private person or as a professional, because little by little 'we' become that who we practice.

If your employer is disrespectful to you, doesn't value your work, or treats you in a way that you feel is uncalled for, do not just sit and 'take it' because they are your employer. Politely let them know what you don't consider acceptable and decline to continue in that situation. The longer you wait, the more things might escalate and in the end both sides might be unhappy, so don't wait too long in hopes that things will improve. If things don't change and improve quickly, most likely they never will.

Life is too short not to be true to who we are and what we stand for.

Although the man in the Benz seemed not affiliated to any restaurant as far as I could gather from the short, translated conversation, I decided what the heck, I'd buy some if he'd let me...and he did!

I assumed the food would be not very good (and might I add potentially deadly or just plain bad). In any case, it was worth trying.

At plain sight, the food looked ok. I mean, the combo seemed a little odd: upper left corner, tomatoes and eggs, upper right corner, plain rice, bottom left corner: beef and green peppers, and bottom right corner, plain beef.

I assumed because of the understanding I have of AUTHENTIC chinese food having barely any spices in them, this was not going to be very good. On the contrary, it was some of the BEST chinese food I have ever had! The eggs aside, the flavors in  both variations of beef were just amazing. The one with the peppers was slightly spicy, with flavors of ginger and other spices. The plain beef was anything but plain: a mixture of spices I had never tried and sadly  couldn't recognize in case I wanted to emmulate the seasoning, softness unbelievable for beef.

I sat there in shock  as I couldnt' believe my taste buds, and before it was too late, I ran outside to tell them in whatever motion and expression combination I could, how good this was. To which the man laughed and responde by giving me a free soda.

All and all, I  have to say I am happy to have dared to buy food from this srtange situation, and I'm hoping to see the mysterious car once again, carrying some deliscious surprise food box.

Currently collaborating with amazing multidisciplinary artist Stephen Workman @workmanart,
to develop a business model, concept and market potential discovery for some incredibly gorgeous handmade knit works.
 
You can see more at style-now.com

In an effort to approach art sales on a more 'serious' manner, I have ventured out to the streets in an attempt to scout the situation.

People were cool on the scene, and there really seems to be a community of artists in the area. I got to meet some cool fellow artists who regularly sell at that location.

Been a busy bee lately shooting for a luxury designer store in the city. I'm also building their website right in time for the holiday season so hopefully there will be a lot of holiday shoppers coming through.
It's a very exciting project because all the items are gorgeous pieces.
As always I'm happy to be so lucky to work on projects I enjoy so much.

Part of my job is to spot places that need help. Since many business owners have no sense of design, it is my responsibility to be able to communicate my ideas to them in a way that is easy to understand what I am seeing.
Most people know what looks better if they can see a before and after, but perhaps wouldn't have thought of the idea that I'm presenting to them. By doing this, I can shine a light on something that the owners may not realize they needed, then, granted that there is enough budget to work with, we can take their place to the next level.

After analyzing the business concept, I usually develop ad hoc visuals that go with the theme, then I photoshop renderings of different options that would vary dependent on the budget. This restaurant's theme is 'black panthers' and it is a Mexican restaurant. The restaurant is beautifully set up, with brand new everything and exposed brick (which New Yorkers LOVE), and it just needs a little push to take it to the next level.

I recently had the pleasure of being invited to a beautiful country home near the city. So I got to take a quick weekend trip to the mountains.

Although by my own decision not to be a country blob/couch potato, I mostly did yard work (making those pine trees look more like bonsai trees), I found it very important to disconnect from my normal routine and work on something else. Connecting with nature is always beautiful, as well as remembering that we are not alone on this earth (this by seeing many other creatures we seldom see in the city in their natural habitats).

I recommend everyone to do the same, even if its by going to a park nearby and appreciating whatever nature you can get yourself to ;)

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Working on a new series in which I explore and share what I believe to be important life values.