Today we’d like to introduce you to Marisa Wohlschlaeger.
Hi Marisa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Back in 2016, I began to feel fearful that LGBTQ2IA+ voices would be suppressed and lost in the new climate of our country. I decided to create LOUD & QUEER ZINE as a space for LGBTQ2IA+ artist, writers, and creators of all kinds to express their perspectives and share their creation. As the zine grew, I began connecting with other San Diego queer artists and began tabling at and cohosting events and photoshoots for LGBTQ2IA+ artists, performers, and creators to connect with the community in person and express themselves in a space by and for us. In 2023, I released Issue #12 Queers in COVID, sharing the LGBTQ2IA+ experience of the pandemic and cohosted the QOVID: Queers in COVID Art and Performance Show. I am planning more submission calls, zine releases, and events as the year goes on and I am currently taking submissions to the upcoming Queer Pride Issue
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
In creating a zine that features many artists, I learned that collaboration can bring unexpected obstacles. I had an artist pull their work from the zine after I had finalized the zine. In a few other instances, I have received work that had graphic scenes, and I had to consider the line between honoring the experiences of my community and producing work that could harm or disturb others. In these instances, I remind myself to stay dynamic and keep myself moving through more discouraging moments. My zine has grown to this point and shared the voices of my community through and with the challenging moments, much like our community, on the whole, has throughout our history.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
The brilliance of LOUD & QUEER zine is in its diversity, not just in our identities, but also the breadth of artistic technique and medium. In the first zine I produced, QUEER VOICES OF NOW, I received a submission of multimedia collages from artist Al Walz. One piece titled “Vanity” featured headshots of the artist combined in a Warhol-esque design, with the words “DIE F*G!” across them. At first glance, the piece could be seen a certain way, but in reading the artist’s statement, ” This piece was created during a low period in my life where I wasn’t happy to be a homosexual… BUT, I created this beautiful piece of art (one of my favorites, if not favorite – one of the very first pieces I did) out of all of that depressive, self-deprecated loathing. The creating was very therapeutic, and seemed to feel like I was getting rid of all that thought process by putting it out into the world.” The zine shares the hard and joyful moments of LGBTQ2IA+ life because in sharing these moments, we know we aren’t alone and that we can survive these moments. The artist also said, “I’m 47, and I kept going and will continue to, and you need to as well – this world needs people like us.”
Since that first zine, I have received so many amazing submissions of art, writing, and other mediums like stained glass, photography, comics, and in the latest issue #12, a hand-knitted full-size blanket. The variety is inspiring, validating, and really brings the rainbow of our community to life.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Starting in preschool, I was blessed to find my artistic inclination and began painting, drawing, and expressing myself whenever I could. I wasn’t afraid to be myself and always chose to forge my own path. As I grew and found my queer identity, I found my place in the LGBTQ2IA+ community and began thinking about my creativity and a part of my queerness.
Pricing:
- Zines are $10-12 per copy
- eZines are $5 per copy
- LOUD & QUEER collection of issues 1 to 11 and the BLM zine is $41.37
- All are available on Amazon and Kindle
Contact Info:
- Website: https://loudandqueerzine.wixsite.com/loudandqueer
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loudandqueerzine/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loudandqueerzine
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09X3FL9H1 | https://www.etsy.com/shop/NeverDoubtDesigns | https://fb.me/e/2vxWFu0ht
Image Credits
Angel Angeles
