Inspiration by the Living, not the Dead: A Walk Through PCC's Screen Printing and Graphic Design Room

Written by Anelyse Pfeiffer

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Art by Nicoles Hernandez

Art by Jasmine Guevara

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Honestly? I went in more excited to take pictures for the Inscape Instagram we had just created, not expecting to be inspired like I was. I love art, but I can barely draw a stick figure with somewhat functioning looking fingers; so walking in to the Screen Printing and Graphic Design room here at PCC was exciting.  To see the talent that people have is amazing.  Myself and the staff of PCC Inscape were given a quick tour of the facility and given an explanation of what they do by Professor Erika Coleman.  I was able to talk to a few students about what they were doing, and why they wanted to do it.  If I’m going to find out things I’m curious as to why people do the things they do and why they think the way they think.  Psychology is my major.

I was first able to talk to a student Nicoles Hernandez who is in his 3rd semester here at PCC.  He had just finished up working on his Day of the Dead artwork which was featured on the Day of the Dead Celebration at Zona Rosa Caffe Saturday, October 13th. It’s a block party festival that features artwork from students and faculty at PCC. Nicoles has been doing screen printing for about 4 years where he started by making band t-shirts.  Where was this guy when I needed band t-shirts for my emo phase in high school?! We talked for a minute and I thought it was really cool to know that his goal is to work making big wall paper rolls, and textiles.  Never in a million years would I have thought that making wallpaper designs would be a job somebody wanted, but this guy does and I can see why.  He’s good at what he does.  His artwork is beautiful and he takes the time with his work.

  I worked my way around the students and made my way to Jasmine Guevara.  Mostly because the next person I asked to interview turned me down and Jasmine stepped up to the plate.  And I am so glad it ended up being her.  She was determined in her goals and passionate about what she did.  I like that in a person, so I was curious as to what her story was.  How she got to where she was at this moment.  She’s only a semester and a half in but loving every minute finishing up her Generals and going through the Graphic Communications Program.  She was guided this way by her uncle who had gone through the program as well.  She’s always been an artist but originally worked in fashion and what sparked her interest was when she would collaborate with a graphic designer at her job making ads, she saw the excitement and talent this woman had and wanted the same.  Jasmine loves the idea of being able to draw what she wants, scanning them into something like Adobe or Photoshop then producing her own work by pushing the ink through the screen.  It’s a full circle kind of deal and it makes someone feel complete.  Can you believe up until a semester and a half ago she had never worked with screen printing? Now look at her fuzzing all of her talents together!

I came in with my class curious as to how these students could help those of us working on the magazine by creating a sticker to promote it and I came out with 2 new views on passion.  Inspired by passion, by people, by stories, inspiration can be sparked anywhere, anytime.  I think that’s what I love most about personal stories.  Someone’s struggles and successes can inspire me to make a change. Who knows…maybe I’ll take an art class here at PCC and learn how to draw hands so my stick figure can look normal.
And since you missed it, check out these upcoming events around town that might inspire you as well!
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If you’re on campus this Thursday the 25th, check out the open mic poetry event sponsored by the Languages Division! Check out the flyers on campus for more information.
Fairytales and Scarytales this Friday October 26, 2018 from 7:00 PM -8:30 PM at the Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse. (Featured on #litweekla )

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​​Anelyse Pfeiffer is a student at PCC studying Child Development. She wants to use creative writing as a form of therapy in her future endeavors.