Heritage Gala 2014

Going to the Heritage was a trip for me. I don't think I've ever been to something as fancy and nice as that event. What was more surprising to me was my reaction to seeing my logo everywhere and how Pride Houston took what I had designed and created a whole event around it. The decor was beautifully done in colors that mimicked the ones in my logo.

I always knew as I was designing the logo I wanted to invoke the 1920's-30's era. Art Deco was a major design era during that time and I tried using the buildings, clothing, decor and graphic design of that moment as inspiration for Heritage.

I started off with more intricate designs influenced by buildings built in that era. I wanted to design a very detailed Art Deco "H," but I started to see it got very busy. Something like that wouldn't be able to translate well to small applications such as business cards or pins. Since I had built all these structures I began to disassemble the "H" and begin to use parts in different ways. I found myself constantly returning to the jewel-like crest I had made that formed the center of the "H."

The font choice was a no brainer; although you do see me experiment with another font. I felt a thin sans-serif font was what much of designers in that era were using and more importantly, a more decorative font or even just a serif would take away from the lines of the crest behind. 

Color choice was easy once I got my design down. Nothing speaks sophisticated and rich than gold and dark browns. It might be too subtle for most monitors but the darker color is a dark brown rather than black. The gold had to be a dark gold shade rather than a lighter shade. A lighter shade would make the logo less sophisticated and more gaudy in my opinion. It's almost has hints of olive in the yellow.

It was an honor to create something that will help Pride Houston raise money for a great cause and would like to share some pictures from the event.  

Quick Food Porn: Easy Paella

Paella is traditionally a very involved dish that many people are scared to make. I discovered a recipe that is quick and a lot more easier for someone who might be too scared of a traditional paella ingredient list. I'll write up the recipe sometime in the future to share. But in the mean time... here are a few shots I took once it was cooked and plated. 

Cooking 101: Chicken and Mushroom Chimichangas

This was something I cooked up for my family a few weeks ago and absolutely loved. It was quick, easy and more importantly... tasty! Just a few ingredients and you have a great snack or pair it with some rice and beans and make a dinner out of it. I paired my chimichangas with some guacamole, sour cream, salsa and a side of cilantro lime jasmine rice. 

INGREDIENTS [FOUR PORTIONS]

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil, divided [half for veggies, half to cook chicken]

• 1/2 cup diced onions

• 1/2 cup diced poblano peppers

• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms

• 12 oz boneless skinless chicken breast meat, cut in 1/2-inch cubes

• salt, freshly ground black pepper, cayenne pepper to taste

• 1/4 tsp cumin

• 1/4 tsp chipotle

• pinch dried Mexican oregano

• 1 or 2 tbsp cold water to deglaze pan once chicken is browned

• 4 ounces grated pepper Jack cheese

• 4 large flour tortilla [10-inch wide]
• 1 egg white
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil for pan-frying
• sour cream, guacamole, and salsa to garnish, optional

1. In a medium sized skillet set on med-high heat with some vegetable oil add in your diced onions, poblano peppers and sliced mushrooms. Add in a pinch of salt and brown the vegetables. 
2. Once vegetables are browned, create a space in the center of the skillet, drizzle in a little more vegetable oil and add your chicken. While chicken browns, season with salt, chipolte powder, cumin and Mexican oregano. Don't fully cook the chicken. You just want to brown it a bit. It'll cook through in the oven later.
3. Turn off the heat and pour in a little bit of cold water to deglaze the pan. 
4. Set aside chicken and mushroom mixture in a bowl to let cool to just warm.
5. Add in shredded cheese to bowl and season to taste if needed.
6. Warm your flour tortillas up to make them pliable. 
7. Take a quarter of your filling and pile it in the center of your first tortilla. Fold burrito while also brushing on the egg white to seal the burrito.
8. Continue to fill three more tortillas with the rest of your filling into burritos.
9. Over medium heat in a heavy skillet and in some vegetable oil fry your chimichangas until brown on both sides. 
10. Transfer chimichangas to baking sheet and place into a 400 degree oven for about 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. 
11. Serve with some guacamole, sour cream and or pico de gallo.

Cooking 101: Beef and Guinness Beer Stew

Decided to cook tonight and what better dish to prepare on a cold winter night than a hearty stew using beer to tenderize some chewy beef. I plated the stew on a bed of creamy chive and onion mash potatoes. I think I added just a dash too much sugar to balance out the bitterness of the beer but it still came out fabulous and photographed great!

Ingredients [Four large servings]

• 4 strips bacon, sliced into small pieces
  
• 2 1/2 lb. beef chuck, cut in 2-inch pieces [tossed with black pepper and at least 1 tsp salt]
• 2 onions [chopped]
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 cloves garlic [minced]
• 1 can of Guinness or other dark beer [14oz.]
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 4 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 3 carrots cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 ribs celery cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 1/2 cups chicken stock or as needed
• 1 tsp sugar

1. Simmer stew on very low heat, covered, for about 2 hours, or until fork tender
   
2. Uncover, raise heat to med-high, and reduce, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens to your liking
3. Taste and adjust seasoning!

PRIDE Houston Pride Parade Celebration Logo 2014

I'm proud to finally be able to share the logo design that won me the opportunity to have my work be the focal point in one of most anticipated parades not only in Houston, but also the United States. As a gay man, when this project was given to me I felt like I had a personal investment in creating something that would exemplify the festive spirit and sense of freedom I felt when I've been to parades past. 

I'm incredibly appreciative and honored PRIDE Houston and their board members chose my designs and would like to thank them for giving me this big opportunity to have my work shown to thousands.