Through art and creative writing, one english literature senior is using her talent to connect herself to children, from toddlers to teens.
Shelby Stringer is one of the co-founders of Normal Noise, a Barrett student-run literary publication that is distributed to students semi-annually.
“We saw a void in terms of campus publications that promote long-form journalism and creative non-fiction,” Stringer said. “We wanted to provide a space for students to write at-length about niche subjects because with research, regardless of age, one can be an authority about a hyper-specific topic."
She said she has been actively involved in writing throughout her college career, specifically focusing on creative non-fiction.
Creative writing senior and co-founder of Normal Noise Zachariah Webb said he has a positive experience working with Stringer. He said his time with her has been an intellectually and artistically invigorating experience.
“I deeply admire her immense dedication to the creation of an arts community where oft-marginalized voices have a platform to speak, create and share their work,” Webb said.
Webb also said he is impressed by Stringer’s dedication to her work — whether it is art or print.
“Stringer approaches her subject matter with a deft sense of humor, which makes reading her work such a unique experience,” Webb said. “She effortlessly melds her own perspective, unflinching truth and a dash of wit.”
However, Stringer said she still struggles to identify as a writer in a formal capacity.
Stringer said she refuses to limit herself to writing only and tries to explore other creative ventures that challenge her and broaden her horizons. This exploratory attitude propelled her to co-found Blushing Soup with Chris Czaja in July 2015.
Blushing Soup is an art press that is involved in creating small books, vinyl records and prints.
“We make silly zines, lathe-cut records and other unnecessary art objects,” Stringer said.
She also said that they utilize a lathe-cutting machine to cut vinyl records in real time. Stringer said art press is named after her late father’s love for soup.
"What's cuter than a soup called blushing soup?” she said.
Although it is still a new venture, the future of Blushing Soup seems to be bright. In November of 2015, Czaja and Stringer said they received the Good 'N Plenty grant from the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art to begin a screen printing operation for Blushing Soup.
The first local band that the duo cut their first record for was Good Friends Great Enemies.
Over the past year, they have created twenty 8-inch records for coffee pot, a band based in Flagstaff, Arizona.
They did not just end there. Recently, the duo purchased an antique proofing press — a printing machine on which they began relief printing, meaning they will finish their projects at a faster rate.
Czaja said it has been exciting to work with Stringer on this project.
“Although she may not be the first to admit it, Stringer is a truly talented writer and artist,” Czaja said. “She’s definitely a lot more freewheeling than I am, which pushes me to think outside of the box all the time.”
Blushing Soup’s next release is a choose-your-own-public-display-of-affection adventure book. Stringer said she wrote, designed and printed the book, whilst Czaja created all the illustrations.
“It is an edition of 35 in pink, green and blue," Stringer said. "I set the cover using movable type, and the book includes a tearaway polymer plate print by Chris Czaja.”
However, Stringer said her wish is that art press continues to grow, and produce work for other artists from vinyl records to artist’s books.
Stringer recently bound a photography and found-text poetry book called “A Little Book on Sewing.” The text is from old sewing manuals and the photographs are taken inside a local discount fabric store.
Another Blushing Soup book coming out soon features prints about tools. The book contains artwork by Chris Czaja and Zach Bootz.
In the fall, Stringer said she will be teaching English to middle and high school students. She said her plan is to integrate creative nonfiction and bookmaking into her classroom.
Stringer said she hopes to bring the skills she acquired at ASU to the Phoenix community.
“In the future, I hope to make these art processes and writing styles available to students through after-school programs, where students can make their own books, art and creative journals.”
Related links:
Abnormal artistry dazzles at Normal Noise release show
Barrett Artists and Musicians encourages students to show their creatives sides
Reach the arts reporter at smareker@asu.edu or follow @shantie_chido on Twitter.
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