Rio Hondo College Newspaper

El Paisano

Rio Hondo College Newspaper

El Paisano

Rio Hondo College Newspaper

El Paisano

Rio Hondo art students show us their world

Scurrying down the stairs, heading towards the art building is 20 year-old Baudelio Vazquez. Nothing’s stopping him from getting his morning dose of ceramics class. As he lays his backpack on the ground and sits on the stool, sheer talent begins to seep through his fingertips.

Vazquez says, “Art is my entertainment, it is challenging and a learning process, far better than math.”

In asking what projects are ahead of him, Vazquez answers with all seriousness, “Pinch pot.”

What exactly does this process imply? He explains it as a simple pinching process in which an eight pound ball of clay is formed into beautiful pottery. Sounds simple, but any complex mind would prove otherwise.

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Vazquez enjoys listening to Reggae music, while working on a project with bare hands. Many are astonished to learn he’s actually majoring in agriculture instead of art.

Across the table sits Ye-Shu Herrera, hunched over, hiding under a bed of curls, with an iPad on his lap. Upon arrival, it’s easy to notice that Herrera isn’t working on any particular art piece; rather, he’s soaking up all the inspiration he can get before putting hands to work.

The 19 year-old Herrera claims to find inspiration in “sheer existence, human energy, and theories from all over the world.”

Although his major is unknown, it is quite obvious that Herrera embraces Science. As he pushes his specs up with his index finger, Herrera expresses how Terence McKenna, an American philosopher of the 90s, is a big part of his life.
McKenna’s lectures on what many consider to be ambiguous and conflicting topics, and is what aids Herrera in finding out who he truly is. Once inspired, the outcome is later shown through his artwork.

Inside the art gallery, a soon to be 21 year-old, Hillary Torrence, is found sitting pretty. Torrence attends the class, 2D Art, and is proud of her work, which currently consists of “anchors, treble clefs, and anything music related”.

This voluptuous gal majors in fashion design and dreams of becoming a well-known designer for curvy women.

Torrence states, “Music has kept me grounded over the years, through happy and sad moments. I owe so much to it”.

Clearly, Torrence finds comfort in her creative abilities, along with the many other creative minds, interested in art at Rio.

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