ABOUT YAAZIEL
Founded on 1980
My journey began in 1980, in the bustling streets of Mexico City. Growing up there, I quickly realized that I felt most alive and at peace when surrounded by nature. My grandmother played a huge role in this discovery; she had an immense love for nature, animals, and plants, which she passed on to me. Her contagious joy for life and love for the Creator of this universe became the foundation of my connection to the natural world. Known among my family as the talkative child who started speaking at the age of one, I was constantly amazed by the beauty of waterfalls, trees, mountains, and sunsets. The picture on the right is very special to me. This was in Manzanillo, Mexico and I am wearing a dress my grandmother made for me. She loved bougainvillea flowers and she would often find tuck them on my hair.
Art vs Science
I loved art, but I also had another passion, science. Since the latter was a lot more 'profitable,' I decided to pursue my love for medicine, and I earned my degree in Biology (Pre-Med) here in the U.S. However, I received a curveball that changed the course of my story: I was diagnosed with a chronic health condition at the age of 19 that caused a lot of pain, and that undergraduate degree would take 6 years to obtain. During those 6 years, I pursued my dream with unrelenting passion, yet art would peek its head through in many forms. My parents would use it to encourage me, relax, and regather my strength and resolve to continue the journey.
Fellow teacher friends celebrate my brother’s birthday while serving in Africa.
Teaching science & loving the world.
Going to medical school proved to be impossible with a chronic and debilitating illness that left me bed-bound and sedated for weeks with no end. Eventually, I was able to find proper treatment that gave me back some level of mobility and I decided to do something wild. I learned about non-profits that hired teachers to teach Biology and HIV/AIDS awareness in different parts of the African continent as well as South America. Eventually my journey culminated in the Middle East. When my body crashed again in 2016, I continued my work here in the U.S. and that’s when I found art again. My students, at one of the top art magnet schools in the country, encouraged me to pick up watercolor paint and a brush. In 2018 I painted my first animal from a picture I had gathered through my travels. It was the glass frog.
In 2022, I realized my body was telling me I could no longer hold a 9-5 job and I turned to art for healing and eventually, this led to using art to make a living. I began to explore paper art and worked on a commission basis and went to school to refresh my knowledge and skills in graphic design to help others run their social media, create their website, etc.
I am now working from home full-time as an artist and graphic designer; continuing to use art a therapy and inspire others with chronic illnesses to find hope and inspiration from their gift mix.
Art turned into a healing journey
Breve Design Co is born
Breve Design Co was born out of a desire to collaborate with sustainable brands, driven by a commitment to shaping a better future for generations to come. It represents a humble yet courageous reflection of my identity and passions. "Breve," meaning "brief or short" in Spanish, encapsulates the essence of this artistic journey—a brief yet profound encounter with my gift mix. As humans, we are multifaceted beings, entrusted with a unique blend of gifts to explore and steward freely. This journey of exploration is not about shame or regret over past endeavors that may not have panned out as expected. Sometimes, adversity, like illness, serves as a catalyst for delving deeper into these facets of ourselves. Despite my disability, I've discovered and embraced my limitations, finding fulfillment in expressing my true self and inspiring collaboration to effect positive change. With a background in Biology, I am acutely aware of the environmental challenges we face. Therefore, I am committed to partnering exclusively with sustainable brands. Together, let's make a difference!
