THE MAGAZINE TEAM
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
JENSEN PUCKETT
LEAD COPY EDITOR
ALANA LOINAZ
ADVERTISING ASSOCIATE
PAYTON SMITH
MANAGING EDITOR
ART DIRECTOR
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER TULASI NAPOLITANI
CAROLINE BAE
GIA KRUPENS
MAGAZINE STAFF
Jensen Puckett, Editor-in-Chief jpuckett@22westmedia.com
Gia Krupens, Managing Editor gkrupens@22westmedia.com
Alana Loinaz, Lead Copy Editor aloinaz@22westmedia.com
Caroline Bae, Art Director cbae@22westmedia.com
Tulasi Napolitani, Distribution Manager tnapolitani@22westmedia.com
Payton Smith, Advertising Associate psmith@22westmedia.com
COVER DESIGN
Leyna Nguyen, Illustrator @leyna.artcorner https://leynatlnguyen.weebly.com
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Disclaimer and Publication Information: 22 West Magazine is published using ad money and partial funding provided by the Associated Students, Inc. All Editorials are the opinions of their individual authors, not the magazine, ASI nor LBSU. All students are welcome and encouraged to be a part of the staff. All letters to the editor will be considered for publication. However, LBSU students will have precedence. Please include name and major for all submissions. They are subject to editing and will not be returned. Letters may or may not be edited for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and length. 22 West Magazine will publish anonymous letters, articles, editorials, and illustrations, but must have your name and information attached for our records. Letters to the editor should be no longer than 500 words. 22 West Magazine assumes no responsibility, nor is it liable, for claims of its advertisers. Grievance procedures are available in the Associated Students business office.
LETTER FROM AN EDITOR
Knock, knock. It’s the COMMUNITY issue 4.0! This is 22 West’s fourth edition of the beloved Community theme. It never gets old! I like to think of this issue as the ultimate neighborhood potluck — everyone is bringing something different to the table, and somehow it all fits together perfectly.
In this publication, we hope to show how communities can be just as complex as the understanding of ethics in documentary filmmaking, or just as simple as finding a second family in your workplace. They intersect to make our world a little smaller, a little warmer. Let’s then get together to explore those intersections — the places where individual stories meet to blend with the unfamiliar, creating a mosaic of experiences that define who we are. Each story and art you’ll find here is a brick in a bridge; they are equally important to build this big support system, but some of them are quieter than others. This is one of the reasons why I love this issue so much! Every submission I go through feels like a new discovery. It’s like I am playing hide and seek with strangers and every time I find someone, they become my best friend. Every year I find something new and exciting in these community pieces and I hope you do too!
Enough of me yapping, it is now time for you to go grab your pumpkin drink of choice, maybe say “hi” to the neighbor you’ve been meaning to meet, and immerse yourself in the vibrant narratives we have curated for you.
See y’all in the next issue,
ALANA LOINAZ LEAD COPY EDITOR
What’s your favorite food?
Next Month’s Doodle: What was your favorite gift? Show us at https://tinyurl.com/22westdoodle
ORGANIZED BY
Daniella Martin & Valentina Villareal
CONTRIBUTORS
Wanna be on this list? )––
August Berrios, Writer
Adrian Colderon, Writer
Cooper Jones, Writer
Grace Morcos-Hill, Writer
Lei Madrigal, Writer
Leyna Vu, Writer
Jacqueline DeBlase, Writer
Madelynn Dodds, Writer
Calvin Nguyen, Artist
CRA, Writer & Artist
Daniella Martin, Artist
Gerricka Dacpano, Artist
Izzy Ringman Flores, Artist
Karyna Kolley, Artist
Moonie Vergara, Artist
Olivia Amalfitano, Artist
Ruben Diaz, Writer & Artist
Saba Nabaeighahroudi, Artist
Join our Discord! –) –
COMING TO A THEATER NEAR YOU
As Nicole Kidman once said: “We come to this place for… magic. We go somewhere we’ve never been before; not just entertained, but somehow reborn. Together.” Now this might be an advertisement campaign for AMC theaters, but it has somehow become a sort of pledge for a new community of theater goers. This whole preamble perfectly highlights the cultural significance that movie theaters have held since they began appearing across the world at the turn of the 19th century. Think back to your earliest memory of seeing a movie on the big screen. Was it with family, a friend, or a stranger who didn’t understand which armrest was theirs? Though there is no talking in a theater, as they ask you kindly not to before they play your film, seeing a movie in a theater full of people somehow enhances the experience of a film. Movie theaters are harborers of shared experiences, social interaction, and tradition, but why should we go to these spaces in a changing society where streaming has become the norm? Before movie theaters were a thing, movies were shown in traveling shows, converted shops, basically anywhere they could project an image onto a screen. In fact, the Lumiere brothers, two of the first filmmakers, showed their first film at a cafe in Paris. There was no designated place for people to enjoy this new technology. But when the ever growing film industry saw that people were paying to see these motion pictures, they began investing into the distribution of these films and started to create permanent structures, as stated in “A Very Short History of Cinema” by Science and Media Museum. By the 1930’s, movie theaters were seeing over 80 million people weekly (The Decline in Average Weekly Cinema Attendance, 1930-2000, 2002). During this time, the studio system was also in its prime with each studio having control over the entire process of their films from conception to distribution. Studios had their own theaters where they showed only their movies. Some of these theaters are still open, like the Pantages, which was Howard Hughes’s studio, RKO’s, theater. Though
this is a cool fun fact, this is a monopoly which the supreme court ruled was illegal in the late 1940’s, so you can thank the Paramount Decree for theaters across the country showing movies from all studios today. People came to movies because they were cheap, entertaining, and provided an escape for those going through tough times. They brought people together and created a community. But with the introduction of the television into everyday homes by the 1950’s, movie theater popularity began to dwindle as it became more convenient to stay at home. But don’t you worry this wasn’t the end of the movie theater as in 1975 the world saw the first summer blockbuster… Jaws, and audiences suddenly remembered what theaters held over television. You could see it right away without waiting for it to come out on a television broadcast. Blockbusters put people back into movie theater
“We come to this place for… magic.”
seats with movies like The Godfather, The Exorcist, and the granddaddy of them all, Star Wars All these movies had huge marketing campaigns which created a cultural buzz and excitement getting people to view going to the movie theaters as a special cultural moment. Audiences came back as the young filmmakers of the 70’s such as Speilberg, Lucas, Scorsese, and Coppla, all avid movie goers themselves, took movie entertainment up a notch in order to bring audiences back to theaters. But theaters have once again hit a roadblock as the age of streaming and a global pandemic have literally shut movie theaters down.
Just like the television, streaming services have brought a new convenience to watching films as you can watch any movie without having to leave your home. People can now curate their own viewing preferences by pausing a movie when you have to go pee, putting on captions, turning up the volume, talking during a movie, and even swiping through
WRITTEN BY GRACE MORCOS-HILL
ILLUSTRATION BY DANIELLA MARTIN
their phones as a character delivers a heartfelt monologue. This, mixed in with a global pandemic, hurt a lot of movie theaters which brought about the end of many theater chains. And though there is a convenience to watching movies in this way, it has become sort of a solitary practice. Going to the movie theater is a social activity, and though you can’t really talk to the person next to you, it is an intimate bonding experience. There is a sort of thrill watching a movie with friends and strangers in a dark theater as you all share an adventure together for an hour or two. Movie theaters allow for an enhancement of film viewing, as audiences get to see a film the way the filmmakers intended it to be seen. In a study conducted by Roland Thomaschke for the University Freiburg, he found that audiences had a larger emotional reaction to a movie in a theater than at home. This is not just because theaters have the ability to show movies in the correct atmosphere, but it’s also because you are surrounded by other people. Have you ever watched a comedy at home and thought a joke was funny, but not laugh out loud funny, but in a theater almost every joke lands with audiences breaking out in fits of laughter? This is what viewing movies in a theater does, it creates an atmosphere where people can share in a joke or a dramatic moment with other people from different backgrounds. You and the people around you have become a part of something bigger, and that is an art within itself. Though movie theaters have kind of died off the past few years, we’re once again seeing a reemergence of the appeal of theaters. With campaigns such as Barbienheimer, Deadpool and Wolverine, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice people are once again wanting to be a part of these cultural movements. I don’t know what the future holds for the movie theater, but I don’t think we’ve seen the end of those popcorn floored viewing palaces. As long as there is a supportive movie going community, I think theaters will be fine as they are resilient and ever changing with the society around them.
Album Review: “Charm” by Clairo
ILLUSTRATION BY CALVIN NGUYEN WRITTEN BY LEI MADRIGAL
Claire Cottrill, artistically known as Clairo, has once again proven her musical evolution with her third studio album, “Charm.” Similar to her second studio album titled “Sling,” “Charm” plunges into a more sophisticated sound than her early work within the bedroom pop genre. Tracks by Clairo like “Flaming Hot Cheetos” and “Pretty Girl” defined the bedroom pop era around 2017 to 2019 when young artists were posting music made in their bedrooms online (think Conan Gray, beabadoobee, Rex Orange County).
Her 2018 EP “diary 001” was Clairo’s last true bedroom pop work. In 2019, she told Pitchfork, “I’m hoping [‘diary 001’] can close off the bedroom pop era of Clairo, and I can move onto some other things.” Her first two full-length albums, “Immunity” (2019) and “Sling” (2021), showed that she did, in fact, move onto some other things. Clairo distanced herself from her DIY beginnings to create a new brand for herself as a matured musician. She worked with producers Rostam Batmanglij, founding member of the band Vampire Weekend, and Jack Antonoff, producer for artists like Lana Del Rey, Lorde and Taylor Swift, instead of mixing and producing her music herself.
Leon Michels, an American music producer who has worked mostly in soul and jazz since 1999, worked with Clairo to produce her newest album. His soulful and jazzy influence is obvious in “Charm” as the record embodies a psychedelic 70s vibe, which is something distinctly different from Clairo’s past records. Her first album, “Immunity,” had bedroom pop undertones, and her second album, “Sling,” steered away from the pop genre with wispy lyrics and down-to-earth, folksy instrumentals.
The album fixates on the mysterious nature of charm – the fleeting essence of being charmed or charming someone else without ever fully diving into the experience to know what could have been. Clairo explores pining, self-doubt, insecurities and everything else that comes with brief connections and pondering the road not taken.
The gist of “Charm” is ethereal and phantasmic. Clairo’s voice is incredibly hushed and harmonious, almost like the whole album is a secret she’s whispering to you. “Vocally, she sounds like she’s
on the verge of entering a coma,” said @Pure-Willingness3123 on Reddit,which isn’t entirely false. The instrumentals range from fluid, twinkling piano on “Terrapin” to howling synths on “Echo” and subtle flutes on “Slow Dance.” The record’s got everything it needs to mimic the beautiful yet elusive vibe that comes with charming and being charmed.
Before the album release on July 12 of this year, Clairo released two singles from the record: “Sexy to Someone” and “Nomad.” The two tracks sounded awkward together, which intrigued me to wonder how the rest of the album was going to sound. “Sexy to Someone” was very sensual with an upbeat and catchy chorus that made you want to dance. On the other hand, “Nomad” had a muddled yet comforting instrumental with breathy, heartbroken vocals. Remarkably, when the whole album dropped, everything made sense. The rest of the songs tied everything together beautifully. Every song has something in common, whether it’s the floaty synths, hushed vocals, dreamy piano or faint flute. Through shared musical elements, the songs on “Charm” created a cohesive and hypnotic soundscape.
“Terrapin” is my favorite song from this record and the only one that truly spoke to me. I interpret it as being about recognizing personal developments in emotional resilience and maturity as you get older. Clairo sings, “It’s a simple thing, we’re all afraid and shy away / Now I find / I guess I don’t shy… / I guess I don’t cry.”
Sometimes, I become so attached to one version of myself that it actually holds me back from becoming someone new. It’s comforting and familiar to convince myself that I’ll be the same person forever, so I end up resisting change and pushing growth aside. As a kid, I was so anxious that I’d get sick to my stomach and cry over everything. Now, as an adult, I sometimes still think of myself as that skittish kid even though I’m definitely not her anymore. “Terrapin” made me realize that while shyness and crying may have been inherent to who I once was, I’ve definitely matured and evolved since then. Until a few months ago, I would think of myself as a kid, but the lyrics “Now I find / I guess I don’t shy… / I guess I don’t cry” led me to realize that this
was an outdated perception of myself. I find that now, I don’t cry, and I don’t shy.
As a die-hard Clairo fan, I waited three grueling years for this album, and only one song actually resonated with me. I expected more, and I felt let down. “Immunity” was outstanding, and “Sling” was even better. “Charm” is kind of just… good. It’s still an amazing album, but I was anticipating something out-of-this-world and what I got was just good. Maybe I can blame it on the fact it was released during the summer despite having such a distinct autumn energy. Listening to “Charm” in 90-degree weather felt criminal. Or maybe I can blame it on the fact that I wasn’t going through a life-changing event when it came out. “Sling” was released during the summer before I went to college, so I got to experience peak teenage angst while listening to it during the last couple of months I lived in my hometown.
“Charm” earned Clairo her first top-ten album on the Billboard 200 chart. It debuted at number 8 during the week of its release. One of the record’s cheerier songs, “Juna,” went viral on TikTok and at one point, ended up reaching number 1 on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart.
I think the record’s relatability and danceability is what people like about it. “Charm” has groovy songs that make you want to tap your feet, and it shows that Clairo is just like every other girl in her 20s longing for intimacy, engaging in self-destructive behaviors and avoiding vulnerability. “Immunity” was the same – very relatable with some upbeat songs. “Sling” was definitely more of an acquired taste as she sang about wanting to settle down in the rural town with kids and dogs. In my opinion, it’s her best album and possibly the best music I’ve ever heard in general.
According to my own personal grading system, “Immunity” scored an 8.7 out of 10, “Sling” earned a 10 out of 10, and “Charm” sits at an 8 out of 10 for now. Though “Charm” didn’t connect with me as deeply as I’d hoped it would, it still represents important growth in Clairo’s musical evolution. It solidifies her years-long rebrand as a sophisticated and matured musician, starkly different from her bedroom pop beginnings.
▲ PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: MCDONALD, TIEDEMANN, RAMIREZ, HERNANDEZ
PHOTO BY BELLA VILLA
GRAPHIC TEASE
WRITTEN BY GIA KRUPENS
“Should we just talk shit this entire interview?”
Ander McDonald jokes as the group gets settled on the couch.
McDonald is the bass player for the Long Beach native band Graphic Tease. The four piece group began in 2020 with McDonald and the lead vocalist Roman Tiedemann, but they didn’t complete their group until drummer Tony Ramirez and guitarist Dante Hernandez joined in January of this year.
“The first two of us to meet were Ander and me,” Tiedemann said. “I approached her because I saw she had a Panic! At The Disco jacket.”
Acquaintances at Lakewood High School, McDonald and Tiedemann didn’t really interact until they found that common ground in music. Bonding over Panic! At The Disco albums quickly turned them into friends. Shortly after, they began making music together and decided to form a band with a few other people from school. At the end of 2023, the group hit a bit of a rough patch.
“We lost two of our band members, which were our previous drummer and guitarist, in the same week,” Tiedemann explained. “I was just like ‘This is the worst.’ That was a huge low point. And then one of my friends was scrolling on Instagram and she was like ‘Oh, do you remember Dante?’”
Dante Hernandez was another previous classmate of theirs, but not someone they had interacted with much. Fate struck at just the right time
for them and Hernandez was immediately in. At the same time, Tony Ramirez had just happened to reach out to the band. The two auditioned together and it was instant magic.
“They came in and then we immediately wrote part of a song together that day.” Tiedemann said. “We were like, yeah, this is it.”
And the others felt the same way.
“Right when I got there I felt their energy,” Hernandez gushed. “I felt very welcomed, and then
“Playing together after practicing for like a month for this moment, it just felt so good to release that energy.”
Tony was killing it on drums and they’re all just killing it. That just motivated me that this is what I want to do.”
They instantly had chemistry together and the four-piece was finally solidified. Hernandez and Ramirez learned to play the song that they already had on streaming, “The Feeling’s Mutual,” and they started rehearsing.
They’ve spent the last summer making music. While Tiedemann does most of the lyric writing, all the beats and melodies are straight from the minds of Hernandez, McDonald, and Ramirez. They all began playing instruments and started experimenting with music as a hobby at different times in their lives.
“My older brother was the one who got me into screamo metal type music,” Ramirez said. “I remember watching as a little kid YouTube drum covers of System of a Down’s ‘Toxicity’. My brother asked me if I wanted to be a drummer and I said ‘no.’
Then in high school I thought it was pretty cool. It was the first time I felt like something was mine, so I just stuck with it ever since.”
Just like Ramirez, the rest of them also picked up music out of pure love for playing. The most impressive part- they’re all self taught.
“I don’t know any music theory,” Hernandez said. “Through jamming with people I start to under-
stand. By seeing live gigs and different bands I know what key they’re playing, or where to go on my guitar neck, or different tunings and stuff . . . I think it’s more of the experience.”
They don’t read sheet music or take formal voice lessons, all their talent comes from their
“It’s very community driven. Everybody knows everybody in a certain way.”
deep passion for making music. “I’m very visual too,” McDonald agreed. “If I can’t figure out the note I’ll literally look at Dante’s hand and be like: ‘Ok, that’s it.’”
The magic doesn’t stop at rehearsals either. When the group plays live, there is an electric
energy in the air. They love playing, and the crowd loves watching them.
On March 29th, they played their first show at the Ben 10 Fest hosted at the Doll Hut in Anaheim. After a tumultuous pre-show that the group laughs about now (Ramirez was kicked out of the venue and almost not allowed to play, but that’s a story for another time), they killed it on stage.
“That was my first gig ever,” Hernandez said. “I was up there just playing, and it’s just so loud in there. It felt so good, the energy going on with all of us, the crowd was loving it, my friends and family were there, and it just felt really nice. That’s a moment I’ll cherish forever. Playing together after practicing for like a month for this moment, it just felt so good to release that energy.”
They’ve played tons of shows since, all around the Southern California area. Almost all the group is native to Long Beach (the exception being McDonald, who moved around before settling in Corona),
so they feel fortunate to be connected to the music community in the area.
“Long Beach is so big with Snoop Dogg and Sublime, but Socal in general is such a huge deal,” Tiedemann said. “It’s a blessing that we could go to these areas pretty easily and meet these people. We’ve been moving from doing shows more around here to doing shows in LA. It’s really nice to know that there’s a thriving underground community.”
In the past year of playing shows, Graphic Tease has traveled all around Orange County and Los Angeles. Not only have they grown a community of fans, but also connections with the other bands playing at the same venues.
“There’s been a couple of bands that we’ve seen and played with now,” McDonald said. “It’s very community driven. Everybody knows everybody in a certain way.”
The band has made friends with another Southern California band called TemperMental. They go watch each other’s shows even if they aren’t on the bill. Graphic Tease even made a small guest appearance in a music video TemperMental released this year. Even though they weren’t in the shot for long, that’s not what mattered to them. The importance is how the local music community really supports and shows up for each other.
Their goal as artists is simple: to have fun. They don’t try to be something they’re not, and instead they hope to be a genuine and freeing place for people to just let loose and enjoy the music.
“Live music just transcends,” Hernandez said. “You’re there, and you’re seeing this thing first hand. Everybody experiences music in a different way, so I think the most important thing is to just have fun. And if they carry a meaning within themselves that’s cool too.”
You can check out Graphic Tease on all social media platforms with the handle @graphicteaseofficial. Their single “The Feeling’s Mutual” is out now everywhere and they are ramping up to release another single in November titled “ATV.” Check them out wherever you get your music.
“We surrender to the music,” Hernandez said. “We just let loose and whatever happens happens.”
Jamming Out AT CSULB
WRITTEN
BY
AUGUST BERRIOS
ILLUSTRATION BY
KARYNA KOLLEY
Intro
Learning an instrument is a fundamental part of one’s life, but just because you haven’t started doesn’t mean you missed out. No matter what instrument piques your interest, CSULB has got a club just for you. The Musicians’ Club is an all inclusive musical collective ranging with students with vast skill sets. No matter if it’s your first week playing an instrument or the 6th year, the Musicians’ Club can help you elevate your skill and repertoire.
Benefits
No matter how good you are at an instrument it can be difficult to find solid resources that can help elevate your musical skills. But having a resource like the Musicians’ Club may just be the catalyst to your musical endeavors, whether that is practicing with your peers or playing in school sanctioned concerts, this club with its talented board members will support you throughout the way.
One of the biggest benefits for a beginner in this realm is the socialization one could get from being in a club like this. Being able to ingratiate yourself into the scene that you want to flourish in is an aspect of instrument learning that is criminally underrated. Being able to hear how something sounds, see how it’s played, how your peers set up their instruments, how they recover from mistakes are all aspects of playing an instrument that you may find easier to understand when you see people in the applied scenarios. This environment leads to one of the most important aspects of your learning journey: asking questions. You may have a question as simple as how to tune your instrument to a certain song or you may be asking for help with your polyrhythms and arpeggios. All of these questions can be the stepping stones to a completely new understanding of how something is played. Of course you could sift through catalogs of YouTube videos and online forums which are equally as valid when learning an instrument, but to hear from people with prestige and history in the music industry can be easier to articulate and understand. Especially when it comes to opening a dialogue with your peers about what you may be
struggling with so you can receive a more in-depth analysis of what you are trying to reach.
One of, if not the most fun, benefit of being in the Musicians’ Club is the vast amount of shows they play for the school. From playing small acoustic shows on the lawn to playing in amphitheaters, if one of your big goals for learning an instrument is to play live, this club may be your golden ticket to do so. Even if you don’t believe you are at that level yet, this club will do the absolute most to help you get there. It may take a couple weeks or months to reach that level, but the environment of playing and learning with your peers can go above and beyond in your learning journey. With weekly practices and a humongous list of members to reach out to, you’ll be able to advance your personal skills and the skills it takes to jam with a group of people all playing different instruments. If you’re hungry for success,
“The Musicians’ Club could be your fast pass to creating a musical bond that you may have never experienced before.”
this club will do everything in its ability to see you reach your goals and become the musician you strive to be.
Culture
From Sublime to SnoopDog, Long Beach is riddled with rich music history that has put a staple on a vast amount of music genres throughout history. The Musicians’ Club keeps this culture alive and thriving through all the creative and talented minds on campus.
With Long Beach being the stomping grounds for some of the most generational talent that the music scene as a whole has ever seen, our campus is a reflection of the cultural impact that music has had in the area. Furthermore, this is what the Musicians’ Club excels at, creating an environment for people who are or want to be more musically minded, building one of the richest music atmospheres you can find in the area. The club promotes diversity in every realm down to the students who
participate in the club and the songs they play, so no matter if you adhere to certain subcultures, your participation will allow you to express yourself in the realm of music. Through the club’s Discord you can find the expansive list of music that they practice weekly in hopes that you can find the type of music you’ll best fit into.
Most importantly, however, is that the members of this club are what keeps this culture flowing throughout Long Beach. Without such members, our campus would lack a big portion of cultural representation that music brings to the table. The way music brings people together in this city will always be the gift that keeps on giving.
Getting involved
Although it may seem intimidating to join such a club, The Musicians’ Club has a space that will perfectly fit your goals and intentions towards learning an instrument. Interested in electronic music, drums, guitar, singing, bass and so on? Then this club has a space for you to grow your musical skills and bond with your peers.
Learning an instrument can be one of the most valuable skills somebody can learn, and doing it in an environment that is a gold mind for creativity and open mindfulness can be the stepping stone to elevating your musical skills.
The club’s Discord server is a great place to mingle with your peers outside of the practices and jam sessions where you can get an even better feel for the amazing contributions that the clubs have on our on-campus community and the thriving music culture in Long Beach.
If you need to scratch that musical itch, novice or not, the Musicians’ Club could be your fast pass to creating a musical bond that you may have never experienced before. Even if you may be nervous about joining, the club leaders and members are one conversation away from catapulting your musical journey. The impact of the Musicians’ Club may be the trigger you need to get to that next level. Maybe it’s just getting better at a specific instrument, starting that band you’ve been thinking about for ages, or it may even be where you find a new group of people you can call your close friends. No matter the outcome, this club can be the door of discovery waiting for you to open it.
COMMUNITY AT SUPER PURPOSES
WRITTEN
BY
MADELYNN DODDS
ILLUSTRATION BY IZZY RINGMAN FLORES
Community At Work
Work takes up a significant portion of our lives. We spend 40 hours/week or more there. Our coworkers spend as much, if not more, time with us than our own family. Community at work can lead to people staying at a job for years or leaving in less than six months.
The hierarchy at work is typical: CEO, middle management, and workers. Middle management consists of Team Leads and Managers. They are responsible for the culture of their team. I’m Madelynn Dodds, the team lead for the comedy content writers at Super Purposes, a career coaching company that helps people have meaningful careers. The comedy content writers are responsible for writing content for blogs, marketing, email marketing, and more. I strive to create a community for comedy content writers to share their ideas kindly, give constructive criticism, and help each other.
Team Meetings
The team meetings never feel like “work” because we’re always laughing at a teammate’s joke as we review our weekly project list. The typical icebreaker makes people groan and want to bang their heads against the wall, leading to jokes and conversation.
When there is a new project, people are willing to help out with whatever is needed, whether that is editing or writing a funny one-liner. Striving to foster ideas and help out co-workers is the difference between a working environment where one feels valued and appreciated and one where one feels undervalued, like a cog in a capitalist machine. Generally, people do not like to feel like a cog in the machine. They have significant power as leads in fostering that sense of community. As the name implies, they lead a team and thus, lead by example. They need to be proactive in sharing ideas, encouraging people to contribute, respectfully answering questions, and encouraging people to ask for help.
Project Threads
In project threads, we have multiple teams working
on a single project. These teams include comedy content writers, graphic designers, and UX designers. In these cross-team projects, everyone helps each other with suggestions on how to improve their part of a project so we can put out the best product possible. We’re working on a massive project: a new website. This requires everyone to work together, especially the comedy content writers and the other teams because we’re in charge of most of the content. Without us, there would be no resources to put on the website. When we finish writing and editing the blog, it goes to a graphic designer. A graphic designer picks out images and we figure out captions together. During these meetings, it’s interesting to see how people’s brains work and what they would think would be funny and
“No idea is not worth sharing. We encourage everyone, from brand-new teammates to people who have been here a while, to share their ideas.”
interesting. Sometimes we hit the mark and sometimes we miss, but that is the beauty of working with a small company. We’re all trying our best to bring out the best blog possible.
Overall Company Culture
For most of our people, this is their first corporate experience. They are expected to not understand certain things, such as how to put meetings on the company calendar or what orphans and widows are. Part of working for Super Purposes is learning these professional skills. Other skills we learn include how to conduct ourselves in a team meeting, 1:1, or interview, how to fill out timesheets, and how to use LinkedIn to our full advantage so when we enter the workforce, we have marketable skills. It’s amazing what one can learn in only ten hours a week in 200 hour intervals.
Our company is a place where one can make mistakes and learn. No mistake is an “end-all-be-
all” situation. Most errors can be fixed with a quick conversation. We don’t expect teammates to be perfect in all conditions. We’re all learning how to be the best versions of ourselves.
We all learn from each other. We may have the title of “comedy content writer,” “graphic designer” or “social media marketer,” but that’s not all we are. We’re allowed to bring our personalities to work because a company that won’t allow creativity won’t thrive in the long run. It’s the people with personality that bring ideas. Sometimes an idea may seem fantastic and other people chime in with a “that may seem offensive to our audience” or “I don’t get the joke,” and we will have to workshop it. Sometimes a teammate will take the original idea to something even better or more funny. Different people bring in different experiences, which opens up more ideas. Those different experiences challenge us to think in different ways that we may not have known to be possible. They bring in a different perspective that may help us in whatever goal we’re trying to reach; whether that be a project, a blog, or a social media post.
No idea is not worth sharing. We encourage everyone, from brand-new teammates to people who have been here a while, to share their ideas. We always discuss how teammates should not be afraid to share ideas and take up space. Taking up space is scary for a lot of people and they don’t want to stick their necks out, especially when they have just completed onboarding and are introduced at the team meeting. Some people are naturally quiet and must type their ideas to be heard. No idea goes unacknowledged.
Overall, our company is dedicated to giving people real-world work experience and helping other people in their careers with our Career Changers Webinar or our Get A Job In 12 Weeks Course. The projects are a team effort as we want them to be the very best they can. Any projects our team works on are their work as employees, not as interns. Our work is posted on the website, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the world to see. We genuinely want our teammates to succeed after their time with us as we connect with them on LinkedIn to endorse and recommend them to our individual networks.
In true Super Purposes fashion, I’m going to sign off as I would a blog post: Have a Super Day!
COMMUNITY OF BANDS
WRITTEN BY COOPER JONES
ILLUSTRATION BY MOONIE VERGARA
In today’s divisive and often isolating society, it can be tough to find your people, the ones who really understand and care about you. It really seems like younger generations are becoming lonelier and lonelier with things like social media and divisive politics separating people. In the past decade or so, the number of real friends someone can count on has continued to dwindle. Sure, most people at least have a circle of acquaintances that they can talk to from time to time, but I’d say a lot of people don’t have a community.
I’ve definitely felt like this, especially during the pandemic years, when it was a struggle to make new friends and maintain the connections you had before. I graduated in 2020, at the height of the pandemic, so after that, it was definitely a struggle to stay in touch with my high school friends, and making new friends with a 100% virtual first year at CSULB was definitely a struggle, to say the least. For a while there I really didn’t feel like I had a lot of close connections, people that I could really trust, and actually wanted to spend time with. That was until I became part of a band, and discovered the whole community that I would become a part of.
For those who play an instrument or even just have an interest in music, the LA and OC band scene can be a great way to meet some awesome people who share a common interest with you. Whether you’re already in a band, play an instrument, or just like live music, in my experience, everyone involved in the scene is incredibly friendly and always eager to talk about gear, songwriting, favorite bands, and everything in between. I’d say the people that I’ve met through my band have
been some of the most interesting folks that I’ve talked to; there’s just something super engaging about talking to people that share your interest, and I think that’s always a great way to make some genuine connections.
Even though everyone in the scene has a
“Even if you don’t exactly see eye to eye on every musical artist or genre of music, it’s often a great way to gain different perspectives and even get some new ideas for your own stuff too.”
common love for music, the fact that everyone comes from a different background whether that be musically, geographically, or even culturally, is what keeps it interesting; it opens the door for some really captivating conversations and insights that you might not otherwise be exposed to. Even if you don’t exactly see eye to eye on every musical artist or genre of music, it’s often a great way to gain different perspectives and even get some new ideas for your own stuff too. In my own band for instance, I’m especially influenced by the
alt-rock of the 90s but my guitarist is way more into the classic rock stuff of the 60s and 70s. It’s often really insightful talking to him about new songs or different approaches to writing in general and I think it’s definitely at the core of any good musical collaboration.
Another great aspect of the band scene is just how supportive and helpful everyone can be. Whether it be booking shows together, filling in for each band member, or even borrowing gear, the majority of bands in this community love to help each other out in any way they can. While there can be the occasional band drama, jealousy, and even rivalry, I’d say 90% of the time the bands tend to lift each other up and are always eager to lend a hand. I can’t tell you how many times my band has gotten a show just by having friends in other local bands, and that’s all because of the tight community that exists between most of these bands.
I like to equate this relationship to that of 90s rock musicians, in the Seattle band scene. While a lot of people assume that there was this sort of intense competition between the local bands, fighting for fame, most of the bands of this time were actually great friends, often playing shows together, collaborating with songs, and even combining forces to create supergroup bands.
I’d say the majority of friends that I’ve made in the past three years or so have come from this band scene; there’s just something really special about being around people that have a similar interest as you, making it a great way to build those meaningful connections that’ve become increasingly rare.
You Never Walk Alone
WRITTEN
BY JACQUELINE DEBLASE
ILLUSTRATION BY GERRICKA DACPANO
Community feels like magic, doesn’t it?
Regardless of what it looks like or how you find it, there’s just this blissful feeling about your life being a constant thought in someone else’s world.
For me, I cherish the ecosystem my three vibrant roommates and I have engineered. Opening myself up to it was scary, but without them, I wouldn’t be writing this.
Without our dinner dates, our “let’s binge the entire season” days, our rant sessions, or our evening neighborhood walks, I wouldn’t be whole.
That’s the beauty of community, of a genuine third space where your raw self can be seen. I know it’s hard to put yourself out there, but these treasure troves do exist.
The Long Beach Walking Club is one of them. Founded by Evelyn Avila in April 2023, this sisterhood has bloomed throughout the Long Beach area, and every day a beautiful soul is encouraged to join.
“In the beginning, there was a few girls that would show up, and then there were some days that nobody would show up and it was just me,” Avila said. It didn’t become the club it is today immediately, but she didn’t stop putting herself out there.
As a Long Beach native, Avila cherishes this city
like it’s her own backyard — and well, it sort of is!
When she moved to Downtown Long Beach in 2021, she began her journey of self-proclamation.
By walking on the stained sidewalks and passing by the hidden gems of downtown, Avila hoped to maintain her fitness lifestyle while also meeting people the good old-fashioned way: organically.
Her walking journey became a prized possession, so with inspiration from other walking accounts on
“Through movement, we empower each other to lead richer, more fulfilling lives.”
social media — and being a Marketing graduate — she knew sharing these moments online could give someone else that same inspiration, but it was a challenge and Avila almost gave up.
However, in July 2022, Avila met Kat, Liz, and Mil — who is the Vice President of the club today — and the sisterhood took root. “They really saw the potential in the club,” she said, “and they saw the potential in me, and really pushed me and supported my ideas.”
From there a steady group of women began
coming to the walks every week, and suddenly, Avila wasn’t walking alone anymore.
“I think this club has really pushed me to grow. When I’m out there, I’m not representing myself, I’m just representing the club,” Avila said.
Six months after the club was planted, wellness, service, and community became the established pillar values to guide what the members and team can create with each other.
“Through movement, we empower each other to lead richer, more fulfilling lives.” That is their message of wellness according to the club’s website.
Around four to five walks are hosted every month, where members can make friends in a neutral space, and feel a fiery sense of belonging through acts of self-care.
They provide pilates, boxing classes, or their most recent self-defense class for the community to improve bodily connection and confidence. Members also explore wellness through yoga, skin care mixers, and mental health sessions.
“There was no blueprint. We’re trying to make this beautiful thing even better for everybody,” Avila said, and the goal is always to share that uniqueness with the Long Beach Community.
It’s no wonder service guides the club’s heart and soul, so members can give back to so many
different communities.
“We like to help our community, and the way we do that is by supporting local businesses. I get to show them all of the cool different areas in their community and businesses that they might not know of,” Avila said.
It could be events like cleaning up Junipero Beach this past Earth Day or providing school supply donations for local families with WomenShelter of Long Beach.
It could be donating to the New Life Beginnings Shelter during Women’s History Month or working with the Long Beach Community Table to feed the community by building garden beds.
These women are empowered to recognize the community we come from, work together to see it thrive and become only the best versions of ourselves, not only through service but through community.
In September 2023, the club started hosting social hours, and it has been a beautiful way to know your fellow walking gals on a deeper level.
It started small, with just 20 women meeting for dinner and sharing something positive in their life recently, but the impact was felt by everyone.
“A lot of people didn’t know each other, but by the end of the night, we were all friends,” Avila said. Now, they host themed events like “Neon Nights,”
“Summer Beach Bash,” and “Wild West Hoedown,” making social hours a club staple.
“[It’s] a way for women to gather in a safe place in the evening in Long Beach and connect further,” Avila said.
The most recent social hour, “Ghouls Night Out,” that happened on Oct. 17, invited members to a spooky costume party where they can socialize, possibly win a prize for best costume, and enrich their community.
Some of these women may never have met their closest friends without the club, and that’s the beauty of community.
“Our members are so diverse, they come from everywhere and I think that’s beautiful,” Avila told me.
These brave and generous women, who put their hearts into the club and strive to build lasting connections, have tended to this club like it is their own community garden.
And community is found on all levels, even within the club’s team. “We have team bonding days, where we just hang out together and catch up. It’s like a real fostering [of a] friendship,” Avila said.
The club is volunteer led, so every ounce of effort going into it is through dedication by the ambassador teams, which include social media, philanthropy, and community outreach. The ambassadors have only been operational since January 2024, but they are like gravity for the club, maintaining the values and making sure every member gets the best experience.
When the club sprouted a new leaf overnight in February of this year, growing from 2K to 10K followers, the ambassador team provided for the growing community, so the club could uplift everyone.
“With the support of the ambassador group it’s grown to be a really beautiful thing where everyone really is empowered in their role,” Avila said regarding their surprising popularity.
Through the club, anyone can find purpose. There is dedication, respect, support, and most importantly, love for each other and for Long Beach.
“I hope that [the members] made connections and real friendships, that they no longer need the club. Then that means that it works,” Avila said.
No one should feel like they can’t make a difference or belong to something beautiful, that’s why the walking events and fitness events are completely free to join. Every woman is welcomed, and everyone deserves access to living a beautiful life.
Don’t be afraid to take that step, the women of the Long Beach Walking Club are waiting for you with open arms, and they can’t wait to meet you.
If you’re looking to join the club, you can find them on Instagram @longbeachwalkingclub!
“Every woman is welcomed, and everyone deserves access to living a beautiful life.”
DOCUMENTING DOCUMENTARIES
WRITTEN BY ALANA LOINAZ
A LOOK INTO THE COMMUNITY OF FACTUAL AND SUBJECTIVE FILMS
Fiction is overrated, but reality is cruel. The realm of documentary filmmaking is a fascinating intersection of factual representation and subjective interpretation. Documentaries serve as a powerful medium to capture reality while experimenting with different narratives and perspectives. The blend of fact and subjectivity creates a rich tapestry of storytelling that can educate, provoke emotion, and inspire change.
Understanding the significance of this duality in documentaries provides valuable insights into the complexities of human experience and the power of visual storytelling.
One of the most compelling aspects of documentaries is their ability to highlight real-life events and issues that may be overlooked by mainstream media. They serve as a vital document of reality, capturing social, political, and cultural phenomena
that resonate with audiences on a personal level. Through their lens, filmmakers can explore topics as diverse as climate change, human rights, and the intricacies of everyday life. This commitment to authenticity is crucial, as documentaries can illuminate truths and initiate discussions that stimulate awareness and inspire action in ways that fictional films cannot.
However, documentaries are not always purely
objective; they can be intricately woven with the filmmaker’s subjectivity. Each documentary is an interpretation of reality, shaped by the director’s choices, perspectives, and biases. The selection of participants, narrative style, and even the editing process influence how audiences perceive the content. A reflexive documentary, for example, acknowledges the filmmaker’s presence by allowing them to engage with their subjects. This creates a different dynamic than an observational documentary, for instance, that has a detached and fully observational approach. Overall, the subjectivity that can be involved in the documentary experience allows viewers to connect with filmmakers and the stories being told on a more emotional level.
The interplay of fact and subjectivity in documentaries raises ethical considerations. Filmmakers navigate the fine line between representation and manipulation. The ethical implications can be significant, especially when documenting sensitive topics. The responsibility to accurately represent the experiences of participants, while maintaining narrative integrity, is paramount. This challenge requires filmmakers to engage thoughtfully with their subjects and be transparent about their intentions. It emphasizes the importance of trust in the documentary process.
“But where does the theme of community fit into all of this, Alana?”
In documentary filmmaking, the notion of community extends beyond the on-screen content to encompass the network of relationships and collaborations behind the camera. Filmmakers, participants, crew members, and audiences all form a vital part of this ecosystem. When a documentary film is created, the subjects often become co-creators, with their lived experiences forming the foundation of the story. Filmmakers depend on these participants to share their truth. In return, participants trust filmmakers to portray their stories with integrity. This mutual trust fosters a community built on shared responsibility, where both sides engage in a dialogue that transcends the final product.
The production process itself is inherently collaborative, requiring a seamless coordination of crew members, each bringing their expertise to the table. This behind-the-scenes community thrives on shared vision and collective problem-solving. For example, during the making of a documentary
about a marginalized community, the crew often spends extensive time embedded within that group, establishing connections that go beyond the surface level. The relationships formed during this period of production create a deeper understanding of the subject matter and result in a film that resonates authentically with audiences.
The relationship between participant and filmmaker in documentary filmmaking is one of the most delicate and essential aspects of the process. It goes far beyond a simple transactional exchange; instead, it often involves deep emotional and ethical considerations. This relationship forms the core of the documentary’s authenticity and can significantly affect both the narrative and the participant’s experience. Building trust is crucial in this dynamic, as participants are often asked to share vulnerable, personal, or even painful aspects of
“In documentary filmmaking, the notion of community extends beyond the on-screen content to encompass the network of relationships and collaborations behind the camera.”
their lives.
The building of this relationship begins long before the camera starts rolling. Filmmakers often invest a significant amount of time getting to know their participants, understanding their perspectives, and creating a sense of mutual respect. This pre-production phase can involve numerous off-camera conversations and visits, allowing the participant to feel comfortable with the filmmaker’s intentions and approach. By establishing a rapport early on, filmmakers can help participants feel less like subjects and more like collaborators, fostering a space where they feel safe to express their truths openly.
The emotional bond between participant and filmmaker can grow over the course of production. As participants open up and share intimate details of their lives, the filmmaker becomes not just an observer but a confidante. This collaborative spirit is
where the idea of community becomes particularly tangible. The filmmaker’s role shifts from authority figure to facilitator, guiding the participant’s story while maintaining a sense of partnership.
This deep relationship is crucial for documentaries that aim to address sensitive or controversial topics where the potential for harm to the participant is high if the story is mishandled. Filmmakers in these situations often take on the role of advocates, ensuring that the participants’ voices are heard in a way that feels empowering and true to their lived experiences. The long-term nature of these relationships can even lead to ongoing collaborations, where participants continue to be involved in shaping future projects or engaging in activism inspired by the documentary.
In essence, the relationship between participant and filmmaker is a microcosm of the larger documentary community. It exemplifies the collaborative nature of non-fiction storytelling, where trust, mutual respect, and a shared sense of purpose create a foundation for authentic and impactful films. The stronger this relationship, the more resonant the documentary becomes, as it not only captures a story but also honors the humanity at its core.
“Okay, but what does all of this come down to?”
The community of factual and subjective films encapsulates the dual nature of documentaries. They are not mere records of reality but rather interpretations that reflect the complexities of human experiences and societal contexts. The relationships created between filmmaker and participant are key to what builds a community in this field. It is essential to appreciate the balance of fact and subjectivity, recognizing the responsibilities that come with being part of the documentary community. By fostering a culture of critical engagement, we can celebrate the power of documentaries to inform, challenge, and inspire, ensuring they remain a vital part of our collective narrative.
WAIT! Don’t flip pages yet. I can’t finish this article without mentioning the Documentary Club on campus. We are hosting screenings, workshops, discussions, and presentations with guest speakers. Please make sure to follow us on Instagram @ csulbdoc and join our Discord through the link in our bio. Stay connected with us for exciting updates and events that you won’t want to miss!
STRUGGLES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
WRITTEN BY ADRIAN COLDERON
ILLUSTRATION
BY SABA NABAEIGHAHROUDI
The global housing crisis is a pressing issue that affects millions of people worldwide.
According to UN-Habitat, around 1.6 billion people lack adequate housing, and this number could rise to 3 billion by 2030. The crisis is driven by factors such as rapid growth in home prices, stagnant incomes, and historically low interest rates.
Ritchie Torres, U.S. Representative, emphasizes the urgency of the situation: “We have to create and preserve enough affordable housing to meet the demand, because the affordability crisis is imposing a hardship on millions of Americans.” This statement highlights the need for immediate action to address the housing shortage.
The United Nations has also urged states to take concrete steps to ensure affordable housing for all. An expert from the UN stated: “There is no one-size-fits-all approach to ensuring affordable housing for all, and States should choose options that best suit their specific needs and circumstances.” This underscores the importance of tailored solutions to tackle the crisis effectively. To meet the growing demand for housing, UN-Habitat estimates that the world needs to build 96,000 new affordable homes every day by 2030. This
staggering figure illustrates the scale of the challenge and the need for collaborative efforts from governments, communities, and organizations.
Another critical aspect of the housing crisis is its impact on vulnerable populations. A report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition notes, “The shortage of affordable rental homes hits low-income households the hardest, often forcing them to choose between housing and other necessities.”
This demonstrates the harsh reality faced by many families and individuals who struggle to find safe, affordable housing.
Environmental concerns also play a role in the housing crisis. Urbanization and the demand for new housing can lead to the destruction of natural habitats and increased carbon emissions. Sustainable building practices and the use of eco-friendly materials are crucial in addressing these environmental challenges while meeting housing needs.
In conclusion, the global housing crisis is a complex issue that requires innovative solutions and collective action. By working together, we can create a world where everyone has access to safe and affordable housing.
“By working together, we can create a world where everyone has access to safe and affordable housing.”
AUTHENTICITY
WHAT IS A U T H E N T I C I T Y ?
WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY CRA
What is authenticity?
As artists, we struggle to find our own styles and identities in an attempt to be different from the rest and to avoid becoming too similar to someone else’s work. Here are some tips to develop your unique individuality as an artist. Ironically enough, the key to that is to stop trying so hard to be original. Here are some tips that have helped me immensely in finding my confidence as an artist, and will hopefully help you too.
Stop comparing yourself to others
As creatives, we feel the drive to improve in our art and master our crafts. I love that ambition to
create, but it can often get stifled with comparison when looking at the work of our peers. The thing is, everybody’s art is going to look different. You are a talented artist. You may not be the most realistic painter in your class, but… ?. Maybe your still life wasn’t displayed in the lobby, but you have a creative drive and passion that doesn’t rest. If you focus on yourself and what you want to create, it brings back the joy in making art and removes the stress of messing up. You don’t have to make the most realistic portraits to be the “best” artist. Being a “good” artist simply means you have a passion for art and a purpose for making it. Sure, you can know all the fundamentals and be able to sketch a figure
in thirty seconds; but skill is not what makes you a good artist. What makes a good artist is a love for creation and a yearning to spread their personal message through their art form. You’re never going to be just like another artist because you are your own person, and isn’t that so much better?
Stop worrying about copying other artists
A few years ago, I saw an artist who drew swirls on the cheeks of her portraits and I liked that, so I started drawing swirls in my characters’ cheeks. My use of these lines expanded to other features and subjects of drawing. I took that thing that I liked and incorporated it into my work, making it a part of me.
I’m not copying the artist; my art looks nothing like hers. Influence and inspiration from other artists both play a huge part in your own artistic ideas and processes. You don’t have to feel bad about “copying” artists if you are doing it ethically and with the right intentions. It’s okay to take elements of artists’ work as inspiration for your own art. The world is such a vast place with so much creativity that there is no entirely original art anymore, and that’s okay. It takes away the pressure of standing out and allows you to stand out on your own by focusing on creating your ideas. And if someone copies you, take it as a compliment because it clearly means they admire your art.
Seek out information about art
Educate yourself on any artists or mediums that interest you. Watch video essays about artists and write about what stands out to you. From video essays about artist legacies to how-to tutorials, gathering knowledge is essential to growing
as a person and an artist. Learn about the things that interest and inspire you. Look into processes for different mediums you’re looking to try. All of this learning will give you inspiration and a deeper
“You’re never going to be just like another artist because you are your own person, and isn’t that so much better?”
connection to your creative process. Aside from learning on your own time, there are many enriching classes you can take based on your creative interests. On top of traditional art history classes, CSULB offers comic, film, and cultural art courses
to dive deeper into specific alleys of art history. Additionally, hearing from present day artists is very motivating and helpful in the journey of turning art into a career because it allows you to get a sense of what working in art is like today and what avenues you can go down. Art101: “Artists in their own words” is a lecture course that brings in local artists to speak about their experiences and careers, which has really motivated me to try harder to put my work out into the world.
Start creating from within, get to know yourself
Creating art from within sounds easy, but it can be hard to think of original concepts if you don’t have a grasp of your identity. Find goals, values, and things that make you feel intense emotions. Think to yourself and note what inspires you. What interests you? What makes you happy? What upsets you? What do YOU want to communicate with your art? I enjoy journaling and keeping a sketchbook to hold
all of my thoughts, feelings, ideas, and ambitions. I utilize my sketchbook as a place for everything from doodling to documenting cherished memories. I put no rules or limitations to my sketchbooks and will work on several pages and various books at once. If you love journaling, another nice project to start is a commonplace book. This is a smaller notebook that you can carry with you everywhere to write or draw or glue anything into at any time, anywhere. I love this idea because it allows you to express your creativity, write notes, and draw your emotions in real time whenever inspiration strikes.
Go big! Be ambitious with your work
If you feel motivated to create an ambitious project and have the resources to do it, then by all means go big! Although massive art pieces take a lot of time and dedication, they are extremely fulfilling to complete. On top of the satisfaction of finishing an extremely large or intricate work of art, you also acquire a skill set along the way of problem solving and pre-planning. I recently made a large ceramic piece and it was a great journey to teach me about structure, stability, and attachment of separate parts. If I had made this piece miniature, I wouldn’t
have been able to incorporate nearly as much detail. It would also likely have to be one piece, so I wouldn’t have gotten that learning experience of building a strong foundation and connecting pieces with stability and precision. By going more ambitious with your ideas, you’ll end up making more artwork
“What interests you? What makes you happy? What upsets you? What do YOU want to communicate with your art?”
you’re really proud of and learning new skill sets that help you grow in your practice.
Find the medium you love, and don’t be afraid to try several!
As creatives, it’s natural to want to try several mediums. There are so many ways to create; why choose
just one? So I encourage you to test many different art forms to familiarize yourself with the creative world and expand your abilities. You can try printmaking so that you can create several copies of a single illustration. There’s also fiber arts where you learn about fabrics, textiles, and weaving. In ceramics, you have the opportunity to explore 3D art, both sculptural and functional. You have painting to learn about brushstrokes and color composition. Also, drawing classes can teach you about form and structure on a 2D plane. Every medium has its values, and if you find one that you have a passion for, then you can specialize in that medium. Once you remove your doubts from creating art, and focus on your own motive and passion to drive your creativity, then you’re able to create authentic, personal art. Study and practice allow you to further develop your skills as an artist, so be open to exploring new information, strategies, and practices. I hope these ideas help you find or regain that childlike wonder sensation in your creative process; to bring the joy back into art and inspire you to make something for yourself.
THE GODDESS OF BEAUTY HAS A PLAIN FACE
WRITTEN BY LEYNA VU
PHOTOGRAPHY BY OLIVIA AMALFITANO
Every once in a while, the gods would congregate to discuss humanity’s progress. I.e. they would meet to drink themselves stupid.
Curious about humans, the goddess of beauty never fails to make the appointment, but she always does so under the pretense of showing off.
As beauty evolves, so does her appearance.
Donning the softest curves and the most bewitching stare, she reflects what is beautiful at the time.
So imagine the uproar when she arrives with the same plain face as before.
“My dear, you come wearing the most uninteresting face I’ve ever seen, the same one for several millennia now,” the god of wine said.
“Yes, what will the people think knowing their goddess of beauty is rather homely?”another god teased.
“Why, isn’t my demeanor enough?” the goddess asked in jest, “I could’ve come wearing your face, yet you all would know the difference.”
The gods drank and drank, but the secretly introverted goddess needed time to herself.
Stepping away from the party, she saw the god of war looking at her from a distance. He always went to these but never spoke to anyone, so many thought he was there to brood.
“You again,” the goddess said in mock surprise.
“I could say the same about you,” the god responded.
“May I join you?”
The god nodded, and she sat beside him elegantly. They were wordless for quite some time until the former spoke.
“It’s been a while.”
“It sure has. Though, if you must request an audience, you could’ve sent a prayer.”
“Your prayers go unanswered. I hear what the
people on earth say about you.”
“And here I thought only humans were biased against each other.”
The girl smiled. Noticing her finally relaxed, the god spoke again.
“Your appearance… it’s the same as the last time I saw you.”
She responded with a hint of mischief, “that’s a roundabout way of saying I look good, but I think I’m going to stick with it.”
The god rolled his eyes. “Does it have a story?”
“You’re going to regret asking that, but it does, actually.”
Gods are concepts, so they often take inspiration
“Dear goddess, I hate you so much. I ask for beauty, yet you give me this stupid flower...”
from the humans they’ve met.
“When I was younger and more curious about humans, I would disguise myself and live among them. Were my followers as true as they were in their prayers?”
“They never are.”
“Regrettably.”
“I visited a town that worshiped beauty, that worshiped me. Hadn’t I known any better, I would’ve thought I blessed them myself. Hearing everyone’s desires, I was saddened to know how they treated the less beautiful. First, it’s getting charged more at the market, then, it’s gossip and so on and so forth. They hated this one girl. She looked fine, but compared to everyone there, she was unremarkable.”
“And by extension, she hated you.”
“Correct. I recognized her immediately. She was always defiling my statutes. But you know us gods love skeptics. The strange thing was that while the townsfolk would ask for beauty with a veiled sincerity, she would ask me outright. ‘I don’t like you one bit, but if you truly are real, then you would make me more beautiful, and I’ll take back everything I’ve done.’”
“And did you make her more beautiful?”
“I think we both know the answer to that,” she laughed, “I listen to prayers like this all the time, but I’ve never once answered them. I am of the belief that if humans achieve the highest form of beauty, my form of beauty, they will still be unsatisfied. Better then, to change their minds.”
“Did you change hers?”
“Didn’t think you’d be so curious, but somewhat,” she lamented, “us, gods, can only do so much without defying the natural order. She ran away from town often, so one day, I used my divinity to create a thick fog. I led her to a mirage deep in the forest. She hesitated before accepting a gift I prepared for her, but eventually, I parted the fog and allowed her to return home. That was truly the most I could’ve done for her.”
“What happened after?”
The goddess was quiet before answering. “Returning home with my gift, the townsfolk were outraged that only she was acknowledged by their goddess. Damask roses are hard to come by these days. They treated her worse off, but she stopped defiling my statutes. Spending more time in the forest, I would peer into her thoughts, as she addressed me quite often. ‘Dear goddess, I hate you so much. I ask for beauty, yet you give me this stupid flower, causing the town to hate me more when I only wanted their love.’”
The goddess stopped again before speaking.
“She was very strange. While people pray to me with honeyed words, she spoke cruelly yet was pure of heart. Every time she told me she hated me, she would put down an offering on a tiny altar she made. It was quite endearing, really.”
“What happened to her?”
“The best thing that could’ve happened. When she was old enough, she left home and never looked back. She went to a town that worshiped you, actually. It made sense, as she was quite tough. Finding those like herself, the years in a place that ridiculed her felt short. A happy ending.”
“I remember her. Everyone said she had a pretty face.”
“Isn’t that a funny thing? In my pursuit of beauty, I found that a lot of it had to do with the environment. Us, gods, can only do so much without
defying the natural order, but we’re very good at changing minds.”
“That was what you intended from the very beginning.”
“A little morale keeps everyone going, and she knew it too. It would always be so amusing when she told the people I was her goddess while living in a place that worshiped you.”
The god rolled his eyes again. “Very amusing. Did you change your form in memory of her?”
“Yes, and for another reason. In pursuit of beauty’s truest form, I found that I was changing myself a lot. I told myself I wanted to reflect the beauty of the times, but the times change too often. It’s silly, but I would never be content with my appearance. It takes a lot of work, you know. Just when I thought I had it, they were onto the next ‘beautiful’ thing.”
The two fell into a comfortable silence. After some time had passed, the god spoke again.
“People have you all wrong. You seem vain, but you’re thoughtful.”
“That’s a roundabout way of saying I’m beautiful on the inside,” the goddess said, grinning, “but there’s beauty in a plain face. It grows the more you know someone. I’ve seen lots of humans, but that girl was truly the most beautiful I’ve ever known.”
The goddess turned to the person sitting next to her.
“You know, I enjoy our chats. A lot of gods showed up tonight, but you’re the only one who really gets it.”
For the first time in their exchange, the god smiled.
“Likewise.”
OH NOOO!! I’M LATE FOR MY CLUB!!
AND I NEED TO BRING THE COOKIES FOR THE POTLUCK!
COMIC BY RUBEN DIAZ
A: run! b: go back to sleep
C: eAt THe COokIeS
HEy..*panT* I-, I maDE it... DID yOU BRING THE COOKIES?
