May 6, 202117 min read

One Year Anniversary

Thank you everyone for the support and the support you give onto each other!

This is some more information on the creatives who participated on the one year anniversary. I don't know exactly what to say, but that it's been really fun and enjoyable! I have some other neat projects in the works as well which will be revealed all in due time!

First up is @ValleySwerve as she shares with us about his work and how he wishes to grow

"I believe Valley Swerve is a unique blend of various nuanced Internet genres that gravitate within the lo-fi sphere. What I feel makes this project different from other artists in this space is that we try to incorporate a regional flavor of Tejano/RGV aesthetics into our art along with anime imagery that resonates with my long-time hobby of being invested in Japanese Media." As they mention "Tejano/RGV" and "Japanese Media" is really interesting. You can check it out on bandcamp and of course on their profile.

As we continue he shares his thoughts on the community in terms of the local scene

"The best thing to do is to curate collab releases (this is specifically in regards to musicians), and submitting them to as many credible blogs with well-written press kit/media press. I'm not sure how many artists locally have done so since I personally think we are rather kept too much to ourselves in this lower region of the US. We need to network outside of the Valley to as many viable places online." I do agree and I know Channel 4 is currently doing a weekly release on local musicians as well. It's good to support each other, but if creatives grow and branch out even more they'll be able to grow much more. As he continues by saying how we can help " Honestly, just sharing profile accs on Instagrams stories is pretty effective especially for me since I haven't quite been active on social media and gain a small number of followers every week ,However, if you recall what a lot of IG gurus say, the best way to get picked up on the algorithm is to Bookmark and DM share posts. The more features you use on the platform, the more reach you will gain. Same idea with Facebook and Youtube on their features as well." I do think sharing, saving, sending the posts to anyone and just commenting anything helps to boost the post. There is so much that can be done for sure but its the little things that also make an impact.

This is @motherwhiterice they worked on and created Intoku Magazine! The images are some pages within the zine and if you enjoyed it be sure to check out the full copy! She shares with us about her work/fashion and how she wishes to grow along with it "I love what I’m doing so far and who I’ve become with it! I feel like the more things I do regarding fashion, the more I become the person I’m supposed to be. Fashion has even influenced my personality and I genuinely feel like I’m on a happy journey with life and work. I’m excited for what’s to come and words can’t even explain the amount of appreciation and love I have towards all the people that have supported and believed in me from back then to now." I hope their work continues to grow and to blossom amazingly!

When it comes to the local community and the local scene Lovette shares her thoughts "A lot of people in the valley are so expressive with what they wear, I love it. The fashion industry can unfortunately sometimes be a very cliquey and intimidating environment. But we can help each other and the community grow from that if we continue to help one another as we are now. Continue to cheer each other, applaud each other, be genuine, be kind, and things will eventually build from there." We can "cheer each other, applaud each other, be genuine," but is there anything else we can do as she continues "Fashion is beyond powerful. It’s a conversation in sexuality, culture, creativity, individuality, confidence, and influence. I’ve met a few people who have confused it as borderline materialism, narcissism, or even use it to weaponize slut shaming. In the past, those same views subconsciously stopped me from wanting to dress more and show more. I’ve had their dialogue play in my head a fair amount of times before I leave the house. But fashion is such a beautiful and versatile way of self expression, it speaks all kinds of levels. It’s wearing something and finding home in all the seams and cotton and ultimately feeling your best self. I think we can help each other by being open to the different types of things people want to wear. More so, fashion has been such a “controversial” conversation in gender. Clothes have zero gender to themselves so it shouldn’t be such an exaggerated, jaw-dropping topic if you see your guy friend in a dress or heels (this goes both ways). It’s fuckin hot, cheers to them! Applaud them for expressing themselves as the beautiful person they’re blossoming into! Another thing I would say is to not be so critical. With fashion comes the up and downs of self-esteem. Being so critical of someone can affect their sense of identity, pile on the insecurities, and hinder them from becoming more in tune with that they like and don’t like. When we teach others to love and accept themselves as they are, the possibilities are endless and there is so much growth in store." When it comes to clothing it really is unisex. I have caught myself looking at the women's section for sweaters or t-shirts because i find them to be better or even better fitting. As mentioned we can applaud and cheer on others, but we must be sure to do this for ourselves as well. We can always love someone else, but we matter too. We too can blossom and grow. It can be hard in the environment we can be and from my personal environment it can be damaging. Just trying to express myself, but being thrown negativity at home. I wanted to share images of the magazine because fashion really speaks. It is an an expression even if its just for ourselves. Be sure to check it out!

Up next is Elijah Noriega @elijahnoriega as he speaks on his photography "Mainly I want to create a feeling with the photos, as if the person was there or inspires them, something visually pleasing to the eye. I try not to make the photos over saturated, I want the look to have a natural feel. Really just becoming more knowledgeable in photography. Putting myself out there, getting all the experience and learning as much as I can. One thing I can say is to not compare yourself to others. People put their best self out there, so it could easily become discouraging to your art. I would say to keep doing you, shouldn't be someone we are not. We are all unique." Looking at some of the images especially the one posted on this post makes me feel like I was there or if it was from a movie scene for sure! Everyone does things differently for sure from music, art, photography it all differs from person to person. So as Elijah mentions "keep doing you" its your work!

How can we support each other? Well "Easy answer would be to support everyone who is a local valley resident. Whether sharing, purchasing, or even recommending. Just talking about it in a conversation helps. The word will spread around, and that one person can love what they do and continue to share, and it'll become a domino effect." As he ends off with

"It is what makes the valley unique in its own way. "

This is Tito @takyonwoo5d when speaking about his work he goes on to say

"I have no real technical training but studying art and philosophy

in my free time has influenced my composition and aesthetics. I enjoy

multimedia art so I try to tastefully incorporate as many elements as

possible. In terms of growth I'd like to do more realism/ surrealism

which means incorporating those more technical elements while

maintaining the aesthetic of my art." With more training and even some studying it can really change or develop what he currently has. Only time will tell!

When speaking about the community and the local scene he says

"Given our current circumstances supporting our social media and

streaming platforms is huge. Local merch is fire too, definitely

looking forward to seeing the scene grow ." The local scene sure is growing and its amazing! Theres always something new popping up for sure. Especially with social media its just one to help each other grow.

He shares one final thought on the little things we can do for each other

"Solidarity is key, looking out for your friends when you can,

check up on people every once in a while just to see if they are good.

Little things like that can go a long way sometimes."

This is Amaury @purplepintura and he talks about his work and how he wishes to grow with it " Well, I’m really into having a solid funk in terms of rhythm in a song, and if I can somehow incorporate a little shoegaze-y sweet dreamyness (to call it something) then I think I have a good foundation for a song. I think that describes the latest EP’s overall vibe. In terms of growing, lately I’ve been trying to inject more texture into my songs. Artists like Edwin Gonzales and Gusto Gusto I think do this very well. I’ve also been trying to find a solid sonic identity. I’d like to someday have someone listen to the first 30 secs of one of my songs and be able to recognize me immediately. " Oooo some shoegaze how interesting! For sure they also create some good music, but the EP is really good as well! Oh yes I remember having this convo with art. Being able to scroll being shown a local piece and being able to identify the creator. It certainly hits different and it can be achieved.

He goes on to speak about the community and what we can do to help each other "I think our scene is pretty healthy in terms of diversity of genres and sounds. What I’d say is for all artists to encourage their followers to read, share, follow, and hype up local media people who emphasize local artists like outinthe956, raymusmedia, BLASST podcast, kcyp 97.7 the city, truchatv, but not Q94.5 tho lmao" I also noticed the growth on pages sharing local creatives and I love that! On how we can help Amaury says "Sharing people’s art that you think is good. It’s awesome when you show a friend a song or a painting from a regional artist and they’re like “wow that’s super cool” and then you ask them “guess where they’re from” and then they’re like 'idk? Nyc? LA?' and then you’re like 'Noooo wei, they’re from here!!'" Honestly this has happened to me when I have shared something local with my friends it was probably. They were surprised but its like we sure do got some hidden gems in the 956.

This is @palm.tree.popsicle talking about his work "I am always experimenting. I try not to dwell too much on the same thing, so I'll do something new, even if it's difficult. That's why I browse other art forms, like photography, animation, and film." Experimenting is good! It leads to new things that you may like or not like but it would not have happened without experimenting. He continues by sharing his thoughts on the local community "Create and support. A community grows by action and interaction. Know your fellow humans. Explore your community. Spay and neuter your pets." I agree by checking out the socials and having some sort of interaction you get to know these individuals. I know there's been pop up shops happen and if you go just stay safe.

Cactus @itscatcusface shares with us information about his work

"Because I'm self taught, my art style is ambitious yet volatile. I'm learning new techniques of digital editing as I grow, exploring new software, constantly changing my views on the art of Creation. A single project will use a mix of drawings, photo/video, 3d modeling, and anything else I learn along my way. I plan to grow by continuing as I have been this past year: creating."

Chris @chris_garciart as he speaks about his work and how he wishes to grow

" I fall back on simple line work with a preference for color. I’ve dabbled in different styles and have finally found one that I feel enthusiastic about. My illustrations feature monochromatic color schemes upon a paper like background to provide some warmth to the overall pieces. I’d love to be able to be able to devote more time to pieces in the future to build upon the foundations I’ve established and create more complex drawings. As of right now, these pieces are going into a book, so I really can only devote so much time to each piece in order to add all the pages I have mapped out for the collection. As the project comes to a close in the next couple years I have other styles in mind to devote more time to." On a book? That's so sick! I can't wait to see what comes next! Of course it all takes time.

He continues to share his thoughts on the valley/local scene

"The valley is so rich in art and culture, but from my experience, there’s a rather small audience for progressive modern art styles that tend to push the envelope for differing ideologies. I’d say they can help by just being more open minded and more willing to attend art shows more often. Our music scene has done an excellent job combining the two mediums, but it feels like the same crowds are the ones that attend them. If anything I’d say half the battle is up to the arts and music scene to push ourselves to become even more prolific in order to entice a wider audience to become more engaged in our efforts to become an even larger cultural hub for south texas."

The music in the valley is just out of this world! It has a mix of everything! From vapor-wave mixed with tejano music like that's insane! We have amazing talent in the valley! He continues by how we can support each other " Honestly, as far as basic support goes, we’re all victims to social media algorithms. I’ll like and share as many local artists as often as I can in order to help them reach their full following and hopefully new sets of eyes. I have around 500 followers on Instagram alone, and only a small percentage actually sees each of my posts, according to my data. These big tech companies want us to pay to promote our work and it really hurts us artists that rarely break even. Like, share, and save our work if you see it. That’s honestly the simplest way to help us out. If you want to go further, come to shows once they’re safe again to hold. There’s a lot of amazing talent down here, and shows are just fun in general to attend. People complain there’s nothing to do down here, and that’s incredibly untrue." THATS WHAT PEOPLE SAY "THERE'S NOTHING TO DO DOWN HERE" and it just makes me so upset because there clearly is! Give the $3 show a chance! Give the home venues a chance, give these pop up shops a chance. Like there's so much!

This is Steph @sweetheart_line with her work and her thoughts on the community

"My number one goal with my work is that it is fun! Fun to make, fun to experience, and fun to discuss. I keep my colors bright and cheery and my favorite thing to draw is cute fashionable girls. Playfulness is another important quality to me so I hope that shines through in all my work." With the art shown it most certainly is "playful" and "cheery" which is really nice! as she continues.

"I want to continue to improve my technical skills, particularly how I work with color as that’s something I don’t have too much practice in. I’m also seeking to expand into working in different media like comics or games." As she mentions "comics" and "games" that's really neat! Can't wait to see what she does next in due time!

What are her thoughts on the community and how we can help each other as she says "

"To help the local art scene I think it’s important we collaborate with the community more often. Not necessarily working on an art project together, but by holding art shows beyond the Mcallen area or running events to give to local charities. Those things would help our small piece of Texas further flourish." As she continues on how we can help each other

"One thing I've found very helpful is sharing information between artists. As someone who has different items made (stickers, lapel pins, prints, ect.) I often get asked how and where I get my products made. I don't just share the companies I work with, but I also share my experiences working with them, my opinions on it, costs, and anything else that occurs to me. I don’t believe in withholding information, because even if we use the same companies or materials we don’t produce the same work. I couldn’t have gotten through art school without the help from my peers so I try to share what I do know to save other people time, money, and headaches."

This is Joey @joey_p

Speaking on his artwork along with his growth

"My art style definitely leans towards abstract expressionism. For me, there is no right or wrong when it comes to art so as long as i am growing i feel my art will grow with me."

There is certainly "no right or wrong" it is certainly his work. He continues by speaking about about be community and how we can help each other " "As a community i feel we can help the local scene through collective organization. Spreading awareness of who we are as a community and what we believe in as a whole." As he continues "Our energy shows whether we know it or not. I feel to help the others around us, we must help ourselves first. Practicing gratitude, self-love, and acceptance can produce the love everyone is searching for." For sure we do certainly have to love ourselves and that is important. How can we help others if we cannot help ourselves. Keep doing your best and know your worth!

This is Jorge @jorge.png__

He tells us about about his photography/style along with his thoughts on the community and how we can help each other

"I never really liked to pin point or put a genre on my work, but I've asked a few friends and people and they've said my work is very dream like. Like a daydream or something and I can see that. I kind of do aim for that surreal and hazey look at times so it's nice to see people see that. As of growing and changing I feel like it's a constant for me. I love experimenting and trying new things. I try to always keep it different and I like that. I try to never keep things the same." Looking at one the concert pictures it feels like I was there or maybe I was THERE if it was the Oso concert at Cine Del Rey. Either way the way the images are they do have personality with what they achieve.

How do you think we as a community can help with the local scene?

"I feel like we've done a really good job so far in terms of spreading the local scene and helping each other out. From art nights and market days on Jackson St to pop-up shops

At small local owned businesses helping out all kinds of growth for people." As he continues on how we can help each other "a lot of the times the little things help out the most. Word of mouth, reposting something and sharing it. All these shops that allow artist, vendors and all kinds of creatives set up vending in front or inside their stores. For example Bandera coffee and Procured Life + Home, and a bunch of other coffee and local owned shops will allow people to sell and vendor their work. That really goes a long way."

Marc @marcmccrea15

He brings up his style and how he wishes to grow with his work

"I would like to say that my style is similar to pop surrealism (at least that's what I love). If I'm doing something that isn't a school assignment, I'm always going to use pink, blue, and purple. I just can't help it. I like to create pieces that represent dreams/desires that I have. Although, I have also been interested in concepts that are personal to my family. I wish to grow with my work in a way that better communicates my ideas to others. I think I'd also like to make much larger pieces in the future."

As he continues with his thoughts on the local community and how we can help each other

"I imagine that we as a community can help the local scene by supporting each other to the best of our ability. That does not necessarily mean we must always purchase each others work, but we can help share it. Ask more questions about why we make what we do. Challenge our decisions. Communication with artists will help the viewer understand and appreciate the work while the artist learns from those experiences. They will get better at explaining their interpretation of the world and hopefully will be motivated to create more."

As he continues "we all help one another through things like commenting positive feedback or constructive criticism on our posts or through any form of messaging. Sharing our work with the community is wonderful too. Letting us know what you love about our work or don't understand helps us quite a lot. We want to know how our work makes you feel. Does it give you peace and comfort? Did it trigger a memory or offer some sort of emotional release? Art is an incredible way of connecting people together. All we need to do is talk."

Jamez @jamez.psd

Bringing up his style along with his thoughts on the community and how we can help one another

"Its hard for me to attach a style. I think that my mind wanders; kinda free flowing between collage based mixed media art and illustration. In my art I try to incorporate what I hold of value in my mind and heart. Comunidad, love for music, love for basketball, and political and social issues are themes entwined and can be seen in my art." I can certainly see the political and social issues within the art but most of the the comunidad with his work. It truly does come from the "mind and heart."

He continues by bringing up the community,

"We as a community can help the local art scene in many ways. What I am really interested in is the youth and instilling a sense of pride, self worth, and love for our community for the next generation of artists. For far too long museums have been controlled by white eyes who are the gatekeepers as to what they percieve as high art. I want us to own the museums, the galleries, and the walls. If we encourage young artists to create spaces where all art is accepted without bias or pre conditions then our art seen will flourish for years to come."

As he finishes off by saying, "I think that that’s what community is all about . Helping and working with each other no matter the scale creates opportunities for us. I just finished A logo for a vintage thrift clothes seller (BultoBoy) here in the valley that’s working on some new items that ill be buying , so its cool when things come full circle like that and we support each other. If we try to work together more we would strengthen the south tx art community as a whole"

This is,

Isaiah @isaiahflowers99

As he tells us about his style with his music and about the community

"My music is a combination of everything, every track is different but somehow still fits the the same realm on what “Isaiah flowers” is, but theres chapters within these lifetimes so not everything is gonna sound or be the same. I’m still growing into the person I wanna be, and my music is as well. I never wanna settle on who I am right now cause there’s more much of me to understand." As he mentions "not everything is gonna sound the or be the same" as his recently single Superhero surely is different it still feels like "Isaiah Flowers." As he continues with his comments on the local community,

"Showing love and supporting these artist. There’s a lot of talent in the rgv, but we all could really use that push to believe we can do it, and that all it takes." Sometimes all it really takes is a push.

As he finishes off by saying,

"Everything matters, just a share even, everything gets around somehow, the Internet is unpredictable."

This is Jackie Rose @royalangstmusic She talks about her music/her style and how she wishes to grow with her work, "I wish for my music to reach that sweet spot between people's ears, the part of the brain that makes their hair stand up. I wouldnt know how to fit my music into one genre or category. It's a sweet and spicy blend of rock and other things. " It certainly does "make the hair stand up" especially with the vocals/instrumentals that sometimes hit a nostalgia nerve in my brain. Its really enjoyable with the "blends" it has with the genres of rock and "other things."

She continues with her thoughts on the community and how we can help each other,

"Right now I think people need to stay home, but if this whole virus thing wasnt happening, I'd say we as a community can help the scene by making it safer. Protecting each other if anything were to go wrong while we're out supporting local acts and artists. The hate between musicians is especially real and needs to stop."

As she finishes off by saying,

"I believe we could all help one another by simply supporting each other. A like, a share, a listen. Buying merch and artwork, spreading the word."

This is Wallo!* @imwallo2k

He tells us about his music/style and how he wants to grow with his work

"My music /style involves a lot of Pop/Rap/Futuristic/ Makeshift elements that come together as one to create my overall product as both a visual/musical artist ."

He shares his thoughts on the community and how we can help

"There’s not really one exact way to help but if you fw the art then share it if not that’s cool too." As he finishes off with "not really much you can do to help one another unless you’re helping yourself first ." Which is true you can to help yourself as well which is very important!

Be sure to check out their music on soundcloud!

There is also @Frontera Wave

on spotify!