TINE ZINE

A fun DIY TO STAY CREATIVE

Some things just need to happen. This is one of them.

I was inspired to try out a zine. It was fun and I wouldn't mind to keep doing it, even if they don't get distributed out to anyone. I think I have moments where I get just enough creativity for something like this but not enough creativity for something like a painting or a sewing project.

For instance, back in 2021, I tried to make a yearbook for my plants. But I lost the need to continue or to produce anything from it as I don't have enough plants for me to produce an actual book. This zine idea is actually kind of perfect for this kind of thing.

So for the first 2 issues, I decided to show visuals of labels. Labels people assign to other people or use to describe themselves. I chose the labels I use on myself or what others have used to describe me. Some labels being my zodiac sign from like 6 types of zodiac. Some labels being the political and religious words I associate with myself. Some being things I am a fan of. Pretty much anything one might use to finish the sentence, "I am a ____."

In this process, one can see how labels aren't always bad. Sometimes it's helpful for others to know you and to find a community of similar people. I think labels are only bad when people use them to degrade others. Some labels have stigma that can then ostracize you from others instead of build community. Really, it depends on how they are utilized in the context of things if labels are something useful or harmful.

I think zines, if I manage to keep them up, will be a handy way to output short little creative bursts with a physical manifestation of it via the zine. The issues will be about just the one topic and the volume will be what I can produce in the year. It would be fun to make one a month, although this first year will already be a shorter volume based on when I have started (month 6 of this year). I love the physical booklet to hold and touch. I could put these zines up on my webpage digitally, but I feel the page turning and diy vibe of at-home printing is an integral part of the experience of a zine. A digital pdf or something just doesn't hold up the same way.

So for now, this art will stay offline. If anyone wants me to send my zines to them, I'm more than happy to give them a mail "subscription" of them, sent out when I can make them. Let me know at rubberkiwi.wixsite.com/home/contact and I'll be happy to get some art to you!

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[ THREE MONTHS LATER ]

I'm enjoying the making of zines and booklets. So far we are up to five issues and I plan on making one a month for the rest of the year. This will finish the year off with eight total issues and then if I can maintain the habit, I can make one a month at least for the next year and then re-evaluate the art project at that point and see what is working and what isn't.

It's fun and I'm enjoying it.

Hope others enjoy them a little too.