👋 Hello, Creative! The Jingle Bell season is here, bringing all the good food, cherished family moments, and reflections that come with the end of the year.
Multiple in One - a motto and tribute
Embracing the Multiple in One has been both a revelation and an act of surrender. On my creative journey, I have explored various crafts—finding alignment in one, and then in many. Some say it’s better to commit to just one craft and master it. But that’s not for me. I enjoy navigating from drawing to writing, designing, singing, and beyond. With a key idea, mastering comes with curiosity, practice, and joy.
This new series echoes a pivotal idea and belief about creativity: the grace to witness how far The Artist went into ideation and purpose with each of us in unique ways.
It starts with food… greenlight
To kick off this new series, I want to introduce you to the Spanish writer, chef, and photographer behind the captivating Substack Dulce Boutique:
. While I don’t speak Spanish fluently, I studied it when I was younger, so I was immediately drawn to the language and the concept when I stumbled upon his work. Then, I discovered his exquisite talent for storytelling, and I was completely hooked. I couldn’t help but wonder: How does he weave together all these crafts so seamlessly? And more importantly, how does he embody and thrive within each of them? I invited him to join me, and he said yes. Are you curious? So am I...
You are a chef, a photographer, and a writer. How do you navigate these disciplines (or languages) and find a common thread?
I believe these are disciplines that can easily go hand in hand. Cooking requires the graphic representation that photography provides to showcase itself to the world and shine. Similarly, the writing that accompanies a recipe is essential, as it must be capable of evoking sensations or feelings that convey the perception you want your readers to have about the recipe and what you wish to communicate through it.
🇪🇸 Considero que son disciplinas que pueden estar juntas fácilmente. La cocina necesita la representación gráfica que le proporciona la fotografía para poder mostrarse al mundo y brillar. De igual manera, la escritura que acompaña a una receta es fundamental, puesto que debe ser capaz de evocarnos sensaciones o sentimientos que transmitan la percepción que deseas que tus lectores tengan sobre la receta y lo que quieres transmitir con esa receta en cuestión.
Marcos
You have a clear visual aesthetic that is both strong and inviting. You’ve created a world of your own. How did you develop this style and ambience? Do you draw inspiration from art or cinema?
Art is my greatest source of inspiration. Since childhood, I have felt drawn to Art, especially painting. That’s why I have always tried to ensure it was present in my life and work, and I always knew that I should pursue a profession with an artistic component.
🇪🇸 El Arte es mi mayor fuente de inspiración. Desde mi infancia me he sentido atraído por el Arte, sobre todo por la pintura. Por eso siempre he intentado que estuviera presente en mi vida y en mi trabajo y siempre tuve claro que debía dedicarme a una profesión que tuviera un componente artístico.
What was the most challenging part for you when you began asserting that you were more than a chef, more than a photographer, and more than a writer? How did your peers and family react to this leadership role?
Your family and friends will always support you. I believe the most challenging part is, without a doubt, proving that you can have multiple facets and excel in all of them. To achieve this, it is essential to believe in yourself and your abilities.
🇪🇸 Tu familia y amigos siempre van a apoyarte. Creo que el desafío más complicado es, sin duda, demostrar que puedes tener varias facetas y que puedes hacerlo bien en todas ellas. Para ello es fundamental creer en ti mismo y en tus capacidades.
Marcos
Your multiple-in-one blends beautifully on Substack. How has your journey on the platform been so far?
I have long wanted to have a newsletter because I believe it allows you to share more intimately with your followers and build stronger connections. Substack is a magnificent platform with a multitude of tools to connect with your audience.
🇪🇸 Hace tiempo que deseaba tener una newsletter por que considero que es algo que te permite compartir de manera más íntima con tus seguidores y establecer lazos más poderosos. Substack es un espacio magnifico con multitud de herramientas para conectar con tu audiencia.
Marcos
What is creativity for you? Especially as a "Multitude in One”?
For me, creativity is the ability to know how to use the tools at your disposal to materialize your idea as objectively as possible, just as you conceived it.
🇪🇸 Para mí la creatividad es la habilidad de saber cómo utilizar las herramientas de las que dispones para materializar tu idea de la manera más objetiva posible a como la concebiste.
Marcos
When you see AI invading our visual spaces, particularly photography, how do you protect your work and raise awareness about craftsmanship?
It seems that AI is here to stay because it makes our work easier, and that's fine in some areas and tasks. However, in my opinion, what defines being human is the ability to create. I have a very artistic approach to everything I do, so the use of that kind of technology is not something I incorporate into my work. I believe it’s noticeable when something carries the personal touch of its creator and the value that adds.
🇪🇸 Parece ser que la AI ha llegado para quedarse por que nos facilita el trabajo y eso está bien en algunas áreas y tareas; pero en mi opinión, lo que define al ser humano es la capacidad de crear. Tengo una concepción muy artística de todo lo que hago así que el uso de ese tipo de tecnología no es algo que utilice en mi trabajo. Creo que se nota cuando algo tiene el sello personal de su creador y el valor que eso añade.
Marcos
What are 3 keywords about your work you would like people to feel when discovering your "Multitude in One" (body of work)?
✦ Gastronomy ✦ Art ✦ Photography
🇪🇸 ✦ Gastronomía ✦ Arte ✦ Fotografía
Marcos
What are you most proud and grateful for regarding your work today?
Most of the time, I am very self-taught, so receiving feedback from my audience that values and recognizes my personal touch in my work makes me feel truly proud and fortunate.
🇪🇸 La mayor parte del tiempo soy muy autodidacta así que el feedback de mi audiencia valorando y reconociendo mi sello personal en mi trabajo me hace sentirme realmente orgulloso y afortunado.
I am super grateful that Marcos said yes and helped kickstart this interview series. I have been a huge fan of his work ever since I discovered his Substack. Each issue transports me to a new world—he’s a true storyteller!" You can discover more about him here:
Thank you for reading! If this letter brings some light to your day → 💖put a heart on it and feel free to share it with peers, friends, and family, as it helps more people discoverthis space.
I leave you with Marcos's song selection.He told me: ‘‘Bach's music moves me and inspires me, I think it's food for the soul.’’
🙏🏼🥰