When mentorship is rooted in love rather than control.

 

Ms. Edna remembers the Aqua Lounge - mid-60s, on 52nd Street, Philly, the first jazz venue on corridor. A moment from Miracle on South 52nd Street, animated film by Sheena Garcia, coming this holiday season! Watch date coming soon!

 

Images from my holiday short “Miracle on South 52nd Street” A little magic, a little memory, and a whole lot of 52nd Street, Philly ❤️ I'm still working on this animation piece and expect to bring it to PAULTV around Thanksgiving! Date coming soon.

 

"A Gift for Lucia" On its way to PAULTV at Paul Magazine this holiday Season. Stand by! Animation film written and created by Sheena Garcia

 

 

 

Read the first episode of The Last Bodega in this issue of PAUL Goodreads. A brand-new issue is coming soon—featuring more of The Last Bodega and works by talented Philadelphia artists.

 

Best experienced from phone! Once inside, tap "interative".

 

Reflection: On the Quiet That Makes Room

When I wrote this quote, I was thinking about the way some connections, collaborations, or moments in life don’t always end with a clean break. They just... soften into silence. That silence can feel like absence, and indeed sometimes it is. But... I’ve also come to see it as space being made. Space for clarity. Space for possibility. Space to return to my own voice.

As a person who creates, a teacher, painter, and storyteller, I’ve learned to trust the quiet. Not to rush to fill it, but to let it stretch open enough to hold new ideas, deeper truths, and emotional rest. Quiet doesn’t mean "nothing is happening." It means something important is growing that doesn’t need to shout right now.

This reflection is for anyone holding space where someone or something used to be and perhaps wondering what’s next. May your quiet be gentle. And may it guide you, the way it continues to guide me.

So… this is the part where I get real excited. lol! These are the digital 3D renderings of Lucille, my second art toy in the CocobeanZ Studio Collection. My first figure, Cordilia, was the beginning of this journey. Now Lucille is officially in the 3D phase with my manufacturer getting ready for printing and painting. Looking forward to the birth of Lucille! Yay! News of launches will follow. Stay close

 

As someone who has taught students from elementary through high school, I’ve seen firsthand how often our boys are told to “man up” before anyone ever asks them how they feel. They carry emotional weight we may never fully recognize. Dante is a reminder to pause and make space for all that our boys carry in silence.

 

Dante | Emotional Well-Being Toy Series

A quiet, powerful figure representing the emotional interior of boys, especially those who too often are told to hide it. Dante is part of an upcoming designer toy line that centers mental wellness, honesty, and creative representation. Through his still presence and symbolic design, Dante creates space for what our boys carry but rarely show. 

“Designed to feel. Built to reflect.” Created by Sheena Garcia | Cocobeanz Studio