3/18/10 Hmm. Who Shall I Download Next?


Still being at SXSW means that I'm coming across several new bands. Part of discovering these new bands is figuring out who makes the cut on my daily iTunes playlist. Right now? The "Bob Hill Band" is rocking my world. It's a new band to me, with a very 90's sensibility (which I love). Check em out!

Today's photo is found courtesy of a drawer in a dark hotel room. Oh, how I hate the dark.

3/17/10 Some venues smell like puke...


Having been freshly minted in the Austin scene for SXSW, I have to say... Some people need to be a little more conscious of their drinking intake. If you can't have another, DON'T! Otherwise, you puke everywhere and the venues don't smell very nice... Jeez...

Today's photo was found on my jacket pocket, which I hope does not smell like puke.

3/16/10 Whazzah? :-/


Although I can barely believe it, I am on my way to SXSW in Austin. I can't wait to see the new bands and experience some fantastically new things. Oh my!

Today's photo is courtesy of a vintage, wooden crate in my bedroom. A bit on the natural, un-believing side, huh?

3/15/10 First Day Jitters!


Starting a new job is simply a flashback feeling of the past. Remember, as a kid, when you'd start getting nervous as the summer ended? Right before school started up again? You'd plan out every detail, almost too rehearsed at times. You'd chose your perfect & powerful outfit days in advance, often changing your mind. Then the day comes, and you come to the crazy yet logical revelation. You were the only one thinking about yourself under such a specific & detailed microscope.

Today's photo was found directly on my laptop (The little camera up top), as I stared at FACE IT on the web. Trippy, right?

3/14/10 Another Crappy Day Calls for Pizza! Right?


So another crappy, rainy day (although not as bad as yesterday) called for some cheering up. And what better way than to order some yummy, incredibly bad for my figure Pizza! My pizza of choice? Domino's Large Pizza with Black Olives. Oh the things we do to ourselves!

Today's photo is courtesy of Dominos Pizza. I swear, I was not paid to plug them, it's just damn good.

3/13/10 NYC Hurricane= Cabin Fever! :(


So on this Saturday afternoon, instead of being outside and enjoying the day, I am relegated to being stuck inside. But not only minimally. I can barely go to the grocery store due to the terrible weather. Trees look like they might collapse, people are basically being flung around. It's not fun. So needless to say, I'm having a bad case of cabin fever. If I'd prepared better, I would have rented new movies to watch. The old ones are not doing it today. Boo!

Today's photo was found on a NYC Subway (The C Line to be exact). Sad little window molding. I feel your pain!

3/12/10 Last Day? :-O


After a few years of working with wonderful people and being in a realm that taught me a lot, I am leaving to pursue new opportunities. It's never easy saying goodbye, and it's especially never easy letting go of connections you've made with others. I am sad to say my "goodbye's", but I am also happy to take that next step in my personal evolution. Goodbye is only short term and I will say "hello" to my friends once again. Thank you all! You rock!

Today's photo was found on the Subway Train in Midtown, NYC. It certainly seemed surprised. Don't you think?

3/11/10 Ecstatic after this day! :)


Today has been somewhat of a whirlwind day for me. I'm a day away from leaving my current workplace and next week starting a new job. I'm extremely excited to start that next step in evolution and know it's going to be extremely amazing!

But the thing today that makes me happier than ever is the recognition that came from a recent project I started. A couple of weeks ago, while talking to a co-worker buddy of mine, I began discussing the excellence of the Horror Movie Genre and how it's evolved over the years. One unforgettable filmmaker in this genre is undeniably Alfred Hitchcock, who brought us many top notch films that stand the test of time. It's pretty tough to deny that moments from 'Psycho', 'Rear Window' and 'The Birds' are still anxiety inducing at best. Throughout this discussion, I spoke to the idea of doing a photography study on taking Horror Movie Posters from the 40's-80's and recreating them with a more contemporary styling. This brought me to the creation of "Hitchcock Re-Envisioned", A study in taking Hitchcock films and creating iconic posters based on such films as: 'The Birds', 'Rear Window', 'Vertigo' & 'Psycho'. You can see these posters at LazMarquez.com

Today, the initiative was recognized by a great blog and has garnered amazing response. I am so thankful to this response and look forward to creating more for all the supporters to see! So thank you all, you rock!!! Check out the blog in which the pieces were features at: The Daily What.

3/10/10 Moving Right Along. :-/


As the "final days" of this chapter of my life approach, I find myself itching for the inevitable change. Change can often be a scary & difficult transition, but for me, I welcome it with open arms. I look forward to a new energy and a new jumping point. One thing I am certain of, is that I adore & love what I do. This is why it's important for myself and anyone I can impart any wisdom upon need know that it's important to keep the love alive. There's no reason to let it go.

Today's photo was found within the 1 Train Subway Line in NYC. Look up and find the good. :)

3/9/10 Cold like Steel.


This week, I keep coming to the same conclusion. We, as human beings can be cold. We can dismiss each other. We can push one another away. We can turn our backs. All of these things are natural and usual. But for me, I feel less inclined to let this be a "It Happens" experience, and more a questionable action. There is little need for us to be so dismissive. Respect is a valuable asset and one that I know I will attempt to value and attend to more.

Today's photo is courtesy of a Food Cart in Midtown, NYC on 45th and 6th Avenue. Steely, eh?

3/8/10 Last Week. Going Bananas!


I kid you not, this week has already shaped up to be quite a doozy. It's my last week at my current job, as I've decided to take my next steps as an Art Director. I had a very different idea of how the last week would go and it's not that. I'm busy (which is not necessarily a bad thing) and sweating my creative chops off! It's bananas! (Get the joke? I know you all looked at the photo. Yes, I know, I'm incredibly witty... Stop! I'm blushing!) Okay, I'm done...

Today's photo was found in Midtown, NYC as I was walking with my co-worker Nicky crosstown. This banana box was way too perfect of a find. Enough to do an entire parenthesis joke that I thought was witty, but really wasn't. :)

3/7/10 Oscar Night. A Champagne Occasion.


Tonight has been a great night for me, as I love to indulge in the Oscar night festivities. I adore the craft of film and look forward to seeing those who excel in this craft being awarded for their accomplishments. It's a night of glamour and poise, without avail. But what amazes me is the sheer vastness of taste that comes with it. I have and will continue to live blog/tweet/update on the matter. Congrats to all that have picked up a golden statue this wonderful evening and in honor, I had a couple of glasses of champagne to celebrate!

Today's photo was found on the cork of a lovely bottle of champagne I opened for the Oscars. I have to say, it was quite unexpected to find, but VERY welcome!

3/6/10 Potty Mouth? :-0


Today was an interesting day. Through an osmosis of sorts, I was forced to have a day of solitude. I walked the city of New York intensely and found many of beautiful little secrets in terms of street art. It was an amazing experience to travel and search by my lonesome. To really indulge in the city's intricacies. I wouldn't trade this lovely weathered day for the world. Thank you, mother nature!

Today's photo was found in a Starbuck's restroom in NYC. Thanks hyper sensitive coffee restroom for this find!

3/5/10 Agggh! Deadlines!


Keeping it short, as I am still amongst some crazy deadlines.. This. Day. Is. CRAZY!

I do though, look forward to a nice NYC weekend with Temperatures in the 50's & Sunny. And tonight, I will experience Tim Burton's 'Alice in Wonderland' in IMAX 3D!!

Today's photo was found in front of a lovely home in North Bergen, NJ. This decorative garage slot was an awesome find this morning and kicked off a high energy day!

3/4/10 Huh?


This week, my final week at my current job is proving to be quite a doozy. Meetings like crazy and lots to do. But hey, I like the busy nature of things and remain happy that it makes the days go by quickly. But after a long day, I remain very much out of it!

Today's photo was found courtesy of a Cigarette disposal contraption outside of a commercial building on 45th street in Midtown, NYC. Confused much, little guy?

3/3/10 What?? Birds Attack!?


My new artistic endeavor I've decided to take on is attempting to take the every iconic Alfred Hitchcock films and recreating the film posters in a more contemporary style. This is definitely an undertaking in itself, but my first stab at it has seemingly been well received. I took the film, "The Birds" and looked at it from fresh eyes. I wanted to take this film and really capture it in a new style but maintain the sense of feeling. It's such an intense film with a lot of horror centric heart behind it and I felt it could easily translate graphically into a new vision.

The final product for the re-envisioning of "The Birds" can be found at: lazmarquez.com

Today's photo was found outside of my window, in my apartment in North Bergen, NJ. No bird watching was done this evening. Luckily?

3/2/10 Shockingly Happy! :-O


One thing that's been buzzing through my mind continuously for the past few days is how amazingly this year has been chugging along. I feel as though 2009 was a really difficult year for many people and that this year is shaping up to be much the opposite. People seem happier. Goals seem to be fulfilled. Jobs are being found.

Personally, I came into this year with an incredible drive. I knew that I wanted this year to count. I wanted to push my boundaries. I wanted to make a change. One examples is starting this blog. I knew that I had to start something that inspired me, and I needed to stick with it as a promise to myself. With all intents & purposes, it's happened and I couldn't be happier. It's been amazing to hear people tell me how it's inspired them to look at the world differently and find their own "FACE IT"'s.

It won't stop here, as I intend to continue on this track! Thank you to everyone who has been supportive and followed this journey!

Today's photo was found on my road from New Jersey to New York City on the NJ TRANSIT Bus. I'm having a transit inspiration week thus far. Chugging Along!

3/1/10 Rough Day In A Good Way.


There are some things in this life that lead us to our next steps in personal evolution. Circumstances that thrust us into a new phase of who we will eventually become. After making this decision to go forth and get closer to this goal, I find it sad to let go. But one thing I am certain of, is that it's ultimately necessary.

Today's photo was found courtesy of the fantastic nuts & bolts of a NJ Transit Bus. Moving Right Along!

About The Blog :-)

We use typography & emoticons in our everyday online convos to express how we feel. It's the new way to communicate. But what happens when one graphic designer decides to mix this digital common way with everyday life? This blog, of course. Daily, I will be finding an emoticon in my everyday surroundings that best describes the mood I'm in at the time and share it all with you.

About Laz :-P

Laz began his career as a Graphic Designer, studying at The School of Visual Arts in New York City. At the School of Visual Arts, Laz majored in Graphic Design and Fine Arts. Currently, Laz is a forward thinking art director residing in NYC. Laz has worked in Entertainment Advertising, Multicultural Advertising, Publications and Interactive Design and continues onward.