SUNGiRL Spotlight: COC Cul-de-Sac 2025

My Art Featured in the College of the Canyons Cul-de-Sac Literary Magazine 🌞🎨

SPOTLIGHT

7/20/20255 min read

Hey Misfits,

On May 29th, 2025, something really special happened: I had the chance to present my art at my college as part of this year’s Cul-de-Sac Literary Arts Magazine release. Not only was I selected to showcase my work, but I also received a Certificate of Excellence for my painting “All Knowing.”

I’m still processing it all, but I wanted to write this blog to reflect, document the moment, and say thank you to everyone who’s been supporting me along the way. 💛

I was told by the Cul-de-sac Staff that basically all my 8 or so pieces that I submitted, got selected, and they had a hard time deciding on the pieces during the selection process. I won't lie, that made me very happy. However as much as I am grateful, this goes into my belief that accolades do not make a person, nor will it be my marker of success.

There is this quote written by Vincent Van Gough to his brother Theo in 1885, please see below. I wish with all my fiber of my being that other creatives, and anyone who feels the work they are doing doesn't mean anything just because it isn't recognized. Realize that you are worthy no matter who sees it. And yes, it's nice to be acknowledged, but it doesn't speak to the part of you that needs to create just to create.

If I am worth anything later, I am worth something now. For wheat is wheat, even if people think it is grass in the beginning.

Vincent Van Gough

★★★★★

The Work:

This was the first time my artwork had been formally presented in a published magazine—and three of my pieces were accepted:

"All Knowing"

The All Knowing is based on two elements: 1. My SPiRiT Animal and 2. My belief in the UNiVERSE.

To keep this brief- 1. I volunteer at a music festival called "Cali Roots" down in Monterey Bay, California. I love it, I meet the most amazing people there, the coordinators are on top of it, and I have a little camper family there. Anywho, I received a print from Michael Rohner - "My Milkshake Brings All the Girls to the Yard." It was a Peacock which is my SPiRiT animal (another story)! So I based the colors on it.

2. I believe the UNiVERSE is always watching over me and protecting me. Protecting me from harm and ensuring that I continue to be blessed. As long as I do good, and make sure that morally I am, who I say I am. Even if I am behind closed doors I am every bit kind, respectful and genuine. And as time has proven, I continue being blessed.

I named this one Putridus - mostly because it sounded cool - however, I think it speaks to the emotions I had when creating this piece.

Actually within the year, I've really started creating more work with myself in mind. I actually started because one of my love languages is giving my loved ones something I've made personally. But that has recently shifted and now the work I create moving forward involves myself a little more 😛

ANYWAY - I felt really anxious one night and was like "Wait, I should paint this, that would be hard" And so I snapped a selfie 🤳 and started trying to paint out of that emotion. And I base my artist self on this persona of SUNGiRL, an entity I'm still figuring out.

(Also idk if you can tell , I just figured out how to add emojis. I will be abusing this power)

"Putridus" (Putrid Self)

"Vore"

DO NOT QUESTION ME ON THIS ONE - I do not have a fetish for being eaten or eating someone else - It just sounded cool ok 😉

Anyway, I made this one out of feelings of worthiness. I came to an epiphany, during this piece that for as long as I could remember, I had to look to others to validate my self-worth and I didn't speak to myself as someone I loved.

On the back of this canvas it reads: I am worthy, because I am worthy, because I am me!

BTW, I know this is the emotions I had when creating this piece but I'm also like damn its teeth and eyes girl, like how does it relate. But it still looks hard so don't come for me.

🎤The Presentation:

During the event, I had a few minutes to talk about my work in front of peers, faculty, and fellow creatives. And God, I was nervous as hell, but I really am making an effort this year to get better at putting myself out there, and try to get comfortable with presenting in front of crowds. Because whether I like it or not - I need to get better at this skill to improve who I am as a person and to affirm that I belong up there.

What I loved most was seeing how other student creatives interpreted their own experiences through poetry, short stories, visual art, and photography. It reminded me that art is always alive—it breathes differently in every person who makes or receives it.

🙏 Gratitude & What’s Next:

I’m really grateful to be included in a space that values storytelling in all its forms. To everyone who came to the event or flipped through the magazine—thank you. To those who told me my art made them feel something—you made this moment even more powerful. This event wouldn't have meant as much without you.

What’s next? I’m continuing to expand as SUNGIRL: more projects, more pieces, more spaces where I can create freely. This is part of my Dream to create through every facet, and to continue building upon the bricks I have laid.

If you've come this far, thank you, I owe you a kiss 😘😛 And please continue to support yourself and I will continue documenting in hopes that I can inspire others to see themselves in me, I will never stop being so delusionally optimistic because all my dreams will come true.