Lineage of Swag

Here is the more legit poster for my friend.

Merry Christmas Cory.

Ze

Dry Spell

My friend had the funniest christmas picture

I have ever seen on facebook. So naturally

I stole it and used it as my own.

Ze

Finals Finals Finals

I have been taking my schooling here a little 

more seriously then the last time around, which

in turn has made me take a break from this dude 

(yes, my blog is a man).

 I'll Be back in a bit though.

Ze

The Distance

Blue Scholars

One of my best friends presented to me a great 

idea the other day. His mind is like a lyrical dictionary.

He has a great depth of understanding when it comes to

lyrics. Recently he has been trying to find a way to do

something with this talent. He's still unsuccessful in finding

something significant, but at least he is incorporating me into

his love for lyrics.

The idea is this: he comes up with a visualization of what a

set of lyrics means to him, and I turn that visualization into

a design (like the one above). This poster comes from "The

Distance", by Blue Scholars.

A collaboration among two friends

Ze

Where I Live

West Campus Suites

Allie is the Hall Director for West Campus Suites.

At the beginning of the year I made staff shirts for

her and this was the result. Some of it had to get 

tweaked a bit because the university was afraid

it might get sued by a company (snickers), crazy right?

I would never steal from the actual snickers company.

I would steal from someone else who stole from the 

snickers company. I know it doesn't sound any better.

Ze

Just to Get by

(click to enlarge)

Many moons ago my friend introduced me to

another side of the rap industry. One that that

has more meaning than the mainline stuff you

hear on the radio.

This quote speaks many truths in my life. When

Allie and I lived in Buffalo, all we wanted to do

was buy a plane ticket to central America and start

helping people. We wanted to build a school for

orphans and have a health care facility on the side.

We still want to achieve this, but we realized that,

just like the quote, without knowledge of what we

were getting into we were bound for failure. We are

now at Truman State University to attain that

knowledge and to one day understand what it means

to achieve such a long term goal.

Ze

Ansel

(click to enlarge)

Some of you may have already seen this one.

The other day I learned how to change a picture

into a layered illustration, like the one above 

of Ansel Adams. We I read up on this technique 

I was eager to give it a go.

I didn't expect this quote to come from Ansel Adams.

I think it's because the world knows him best by his

pictures, not his words, but it makes sense. This man

spent his whole life observing nature. He would spend

hours upon hours in one spot waiting for the sun to give

him the best lighting on his subject. To care so much for

something and to witness your government not sharing 

that same level of care would be devastating.

Ze

Possibilities

(click to enlarge)

I was recently asked to create a T-shirt design for a

University sponsored event called the MLK challenge.

I made them a design that I'll post later on, but I made

this poster for my own personal agenda. I don't like war.

I especially don't like paying for war. every time I see how

much money the US spends on war it makes me want to leave.

society is so 

sophisticated 

and yet we use

 the most ancient 

means

of settling 

disputes, 

war.

This thought has been on my mind for too long.

Ze

Hello Again

Last time we talked I was in Buffalo NY.

 I was a youth minister living with my best friend. 

Minus the living with my best friend part, much 

has changed since then. I am now going to school 

to be a nurse and eventually a nurse practitioner. I

 study constantly but the arts are still a big part of 

my life. It's the main way my brain knows how to 

express it's thoughts. These thoughts, these hours 

spent creating images that have meaning to me, 

are useless unless shared. I have no idea how frequently 

I will post on here, but every time I create any form 

of art, be it paintings, music, etc... this is where it 

will land for my community to understand how I feel.

Lets Begin by Letting Go,

I love that.

-Ze-

160/365

Mr. Bubbles

I have no idea who this man is. The first time
I saw him he was looking down on the busy downtown
street that he lives on just mean mugging everyone.
At first I was put off by this but then he sat back down
and started to send hundreds of bubbles to the pavement.
I'm sure that doesn't sound that special but it was amazing
how that act changed my attitude and the attitude of those
around me. Everyone was happy at this display of playful
generosity. I have no idea what his motives are, but I wish
there were more out there like him.

159/365

Books through the eye of a fish

I recently got a fisheye lens. This thing is so fascinating
to me. The amount this lens can capture and the unique
distortion it creates intrigues me. You'll be seeing more
pics with this lens my friends.

ZV

158/365

Corner of a local book store

I've been out of commission for awhile,
and upon looking into the possible future
I can definitely see a lack of posts during those
summer months. Not because I don't care.
But because I will be engaging with some of my
closest friends and family and trying to take in
every minute of it. I love you all and thank
you for looking at the pictures of my life, even
when I do not post them for a long time.
I will try to keep up with these until my summer
of friends and family begins.

ZV

157/365

This Person is Awesome

For those of you that don't know, my best friend
(which just so happens to be my wife too)
is awesome.
But not just some favorite lip balm type of awesome.
She is WWE (formally WWF) off the top rope kick ass
awesome. She isn't just some warm glass of milk awesome.
She is a couple drinks into the night and that song
comes on that every person mumbles the words to but
belts out the chorus awesome. She isn't found a $20
bill on the street awesome (which is pretty awesome).
She's ripping through the Amazon on a off road segway awesome.

Currently Allie and I are going through a huge decision.
For all of you that don't know, I am a VERY easy-going
person. Once a decision is made I roll with it. Allie is a
contemplative thinker, making sure every angle and
outlook is covered. This is funny to me simply
because I do not posses that mindset and never have.
I'm thankful she does however, or else there would
be nothing to counter act my thinking.

Even though the way her mind works stresses
me out sometimes, it is very easy to see just
how awesome this person really is. She thinks I'm pretty
awesome too but that reminds me of a Paulo Coelho
quote that basically says, "love is not something that is
pressed upon you by another, you have had it all your life,
love is something that is awakened within you at the
presence of another." I believe that. I am so loving to
Allie because she awakens this great love within me.
because I know that the love I have to offer is reciprocated
with the same gracefulness. We have very unique
standards for ourselves and I have yet to meet another
person that is so similar in goals and values. It's a
damn miracle that I am here now, to think that
she is here with me as well is fascinating.

ZV

156/365

Chow

Just a simple template for this really
nice Cafe/Chocolate shop.

ZV

155/365

First the funny one.
Then the legit one.

Designs for Spec 2010

154/365

Fear #1

Television news programs survive on scares.
Most have the motto, "if it bleeds it leads".
This tactic in media causes us to feel unsafe
and sometimes paranoid. The show will usually
offer a solution to the nightmare, like describing
the victim or how to protect yourself. But
who
is the real victim here when a staggering statistic
exists like the one above?

ZV

153/365

A Culture of Fear

Why are we surrounded by fear?
Why does the news thrive on tragedy?
Crime rates have been plunging since the
1990's, yet two thirds of the American
population believed that they were soaring.
The images that will be presented in the coming
days are to encourage you to question some
of America's greatest fears and possibly look
into what truly lies benieth the paranoia.

"Gives us a happy ending and
we write a new disaster story"
Barry Glassner

ZV

152/365

Toby Fox

151/365

Toby Fox

Good ol' Tobias

ZV

150/365

Toby Fox

Was kind enough to let me take some
photos of him. Met this guy about a month ago.
It's impossible not like this man. If you don't know
him, get to know him. If you see him on the street
shake his hand.

ZV

149/365

Messing with the new lighting kit again.

I should have been asleep instead of taking
pictures like these. Oh well, maybe on day my kids
will see these and think, "dang my dad can do the
best hand spider in the world!"

ZV

148/365

My Guitar.

I got a new lighting kit the other day
and I was testing it out on my guitar.
I love the patterns and the vibrant
colors of the wood. Tomorrow I'll be trying
it out on actual humans so you'll be seeing
those soon.

ZV

147/365

Jarred, Barb, and Cliff

Yet again, three more great people
from the BGMC. The lovely lady in
the middle is the chorus director.
If my facts are right, I believe she is
just one of the two women who direct
a Gay Men's Chorus in the United
States. If you knew her you would
understand why she deserves to be
the director of these fine gentlemen.

ZV

146/365

Two more fine gentlemen of the BGMC

I was in Pittsburgh this weekend away from
my computer so I couldn't upload any photos.
I am back now from snow filled Pittsburgh
and here are some more great photos of
the BGMC. I love the second photo, leaves
you curious as to what they are fascinated about.
Enjoy.

ZV

145/365

Two more men from the Chorus

Two very passionate people that wear
their heart on their sleeve. Not afraid
to express who they are or what they
find to be true. They really believe in
what the BGMC can provide for people.
I appreciate the comfortable and outgoing
personality both of these men hold.

ZV

144/365

Four men from the Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus

Last night David, Jim, and I facilitated a photo shoot
with BGMC. I joined their choir about two months
ago and I feel honored to be apart of a group that strives
to use their powers for the good of humankind.
This group has successfully portrayed the
unexplainable beauty of music and applied it towards
the fight for equality. Something I have tried to do for
years but have never been able to exemplify it quite like
these guys.

ZV

143/365

Illuminated bank sign in Hong Kong.

This is actually a picture. I love this
picture because I feel it very simply explains
what happens when you go to another country.
When you travel to another country its as though
you have the opportunity to see the world with a new
pair of eyes. To construct a new depth of understanding.
One that you can't read in a book or look up online, but one
that encompasses your five senses with a fresh outlook on life.

ZV

142/365

I need your help.

This is not one of those illusions where
your supposed to find something in the
white box. This is just me saying I would
like your help with something. Allie and I
creating an art-show in Buffalo for the LGBT
(lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,trans gender) community.
We want to express the fact that if you look at
the heart of a person things like who they choose
to love fade away. We'll be having open submissions
for the show but Allie and I will be doing some paintings
and next Tuesday I am taking shots of
the Gay mens chorus for the show as well.
What I need from you:
We need a title for the art-show.
something very short and to the point.
We don't want anything very vast like "Diversity"
something more like "Beyond the Surface"
so....
If you think of anything awesome send it to me on
facebook and I might be the title of our show.
Thanks friends.

ZV

141/365

Back of the postcard

These are my two favorite photos, I plan on showing
them at every possible occasion. Anniversaries, reunions,
funerals, even bar mitzvahs.

ZV

140/365

Front of our Wedding Reception postcard

These pictures exemplify both of our personalities
quite well. Soon I will post the back so you can see
the date, location, etc...
Hope you like it.

ZV

139/365

This picture is completely unrelated
to the story.

The
oth
-er
day
I
was
driv
-ing
down
a
street
with
Allie.
This street
is not known
for it's
magnificent houses
or phenomenal shops.
This street is labeled
by its problems, by it's
Poverty. I came to a
red light and I couldn't
help but notice this
women on the sidewalk.
Allie was speaking of
how she was going to
send her brother some
things in the mail but
once I saw this women,
Allie's voice faded away.
As though my head was
immersed underwater.
All my focus was on this
women. At first she port
-rayed a normal physical
appearance, but quickly
you could tell that her
mind was not with her
body. It's like her soul
ran away when it realized
that she had shot up. This
beast flowing through her
veins, breaking the frames
of her senses, had full control
of her. Struggling to stay on her
feet, she wavered back and forth
on a square slab of the sidewalk. Her eyes kept
fluttering around in every direction like she was
trying
to find
something
that
wasn't
there.
At one point she dropped her phone
in the ice around her. She had
to get on her knees to retrieve it.


That was the first time I saw in person, what Cocaine
can do to a human being.
I never want to see another person
be in full submission to a drug.
What I saw that day was a unnecessary struggle
to stay alive. When people around the world are
fighting with every ounce of their life to keeping
their heart beating why are there some that choose
to stop the heart?

ZV

138/365

The mean mug.

I honestly think a man by the name of
Myles McCormick originated this facial feature.
But to state my case, I will say that my giant
forehead, rectangle framed eyes,
and curvature of the mouth put this expression
on the map.

ZV

137/365

Allie

I love this shot so much.
I tried to figure out why I am so
intrigued by this shot. The only
reason I could come up with is
because it looks like this could be
on the cover of some indie folk band.

ZV

136/365

Ha.

Allie and I took some photos for a postcard
we're sending out. Throughout the shoot
we displayed many different personalities,
but this one I found especially hilarious.

ZV

135/365

All the youth at Roots.

Each person has a very diverse personality and
yet that are able to interact and be in community
with each other so well.

ZV

134/365

Justin M.

This guy was having a great time goofing off with the
vacuum. Justin is a great kid with a huge heart.
He knows exactly how to make any human being laugh
and in the moments when he's serious the words he speaks
impact all who hear them.

ZV

133/365

Eating Animals

Another fact from the book that has
put the problems with farming to the
fore front, Eating Animals, by Jonathan
Safran Foer.
Note: when I say "we" I'm assuming that
Americans are the only people that look at
my Blog so, we refers to people who reside
in the USA.

ZV

132/365

Eating Animals

I'm reading a book by Jonathon Safran
Foer called, Eating Animals.
I suggest this book to all omnivores and
herbivores. Regardless of your stance this
book offers sited fact that is hard to ignore.

ZV

131/365

Max

This dog is awesome. He's a great outdoor
dog. Likes to run about 20 miles a day but
at the end of the night he'll come rest right
next to you. good pick mom.

ZV

130/365

Allie, aka my awesome wife

This picture is actually for Faith, our youngest
sister, but I stole it. She spent all last night working
on gifts for her siblings. I am continually amazed at
her commitment to love her family and friends.
Every other month her siblings will get something
in the mail from Allie. Her intentional love
is teaching me how a family should interact with
each other, and though I am reluctant to compete
with her level of intensity, I am slowly learning.

ZV

129/365

A leaf Allie found in Delaware Park.

Nature offers us so many beautiful sights.
Even after life has left this leaf it still
bares a unique beauty to it. It's as though
you can see the frame work of this fragile
leaf. How the branch that the leaf clung to
would work its way through the leaf's
organic capillaries giving life to this
now deceased leaf.

ZV

128/365

Jamie

Another edited shot from Jr. High camp.

ZV

127/365

Edited photo of Tom at Jr. High camp

Kevin had the Jr. High kids do an

activity where they all had different

labels on their heads and you were

supposed to respond to people based on

their labels. Fun activity and great

pictures.

ZV

126/365

This statue reflecting Buddhism is
a symbol of happiness, contentment,
and prosperity. He is clothed in robes,
and his smile and protruding tummy
symbolizes abundance and mirth or laughter.
To the people that dislike this symbol, you
have nothing to fear. For thousands of years
people have been trying to personify the
characteristics and emotions of human beings.
It would be wrong to create any negative
connotations towards this symbol
when it represents such a positive light.

ZV

125/365

Myles McCormick

In Toronto right after ice skating.
yup.

ZV

124/365

Downtown Toronto

my best friend, Myles, came to
Buffalo for a surprise visit. I was
shocked to see him and very appreciative to
hang out and talk with him for the short time
he was here. I am thankful to have a friend
like him in my life. He offers a perspective on
life that I think most people look past, or cant
even see at all.
P.S. that is Myles in the bottom right corner
of the photo

ZV

123/365

Bob and my awesome new mom Jody.

Bob is awesome too.
They are a great couple.
Both have powerful intentions
in creating relationships with people
and understanding the person within.
I just may love them ha.

ZV

122/365

Evan and Jacqueline

They visited Allie and I before the holidays
It was great hanging with some old friends
and making a new friend as well.

ZV

121/365

Beans from Chinatown, Toronto

before the holidays I and three others
took a trip to Chinatown deep in Toronto.
Toronto has 5.5 million residents. 52% of
those residents are immigrants. The city
is very diverse and Chinatown is a good example
of the different cultures that exist there.
Honestly, it was as though I was in Asia.

120/365

Encouragement

A new breath has filled this man.
Yes he was strong before but
now a new opportunity has come
into his life to ease his mind
of tangible things, which in turn,
has freed him to focus on the non.
He is my father and I love him.

ZV