Sonia C. C. Torres Creations

My Introduction to Jewelry Design

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 17:51:31 -0800

During the recent months, I've developed an interest in jewelry design, including rendering and fabrication. I thought I'd dedicate this blog post to summarizing my journey so far.

– OCTOBER 2024 –

I took a ring making intensive class with LILOVEVE, which was the first jewelry fabrication class I've ever taken. I learned how to make a sterling silver ring, which involved sawing the rod to size, filing the ends to join together, soldering with a torch flame, hammering the ring into shape using a mandrel, sanding, applying texture, polishing, and so on. The process was quite arduous, and there were a few times I got a little frustrated with myself (doing my all to prevent letting my critical faculty obstruct my creative faculty with negative thoughts related to perfectionism, something I am working so hard to overcome). That being said, I had a great time learning overall, and the instructor was very helpful and patient with me. I am extremely satisfied with the result.

Sterling silver ring made with LILOVEVE.

I also created a small drawing of my ring. I was so fascinated by the texture, I tried to recreate it in pen with this little study in my sketchbook.

Ink pen study of sterling silver ring.

– NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2024 –

I signed up for courses with Alzerina Jewelry. These classes are a lot different from the ring making intensive, as there is no metalsmithing involved. It focuses more so on beadwork and wire wrapping, which I...Read More

2024 Reflection

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 12:51:44 -0800

I could have never been prepared for what 2024 had in store for me. The past year has left me spinning in a state of disorientation, confusion and dissociation. I’ve arrived at various crossroads for different areas in life, leaving me with incessant self-inquisition and a dimming flame.

What has been one of my absolute worst nightmares for several years now finally came true in September. My immediate family and I suffered a tremendous loss. To keep this as succinctly as I possibly can, I lost an extremely close family member - someone so very dear to me that my mind still refuses to process the reality (and permanence) of the situation. Several months have passed, and still none of it feels real.

I still find myself waking up at random points during the wee hours of the morning, only for my brain to “reboot” and suddenly remember what happened all over again. It still feels like I didn’t have much of an opportunity to truly grasp everything after it was all over. Most of the funeral and burial plans ended up falling onto my shoulders, therefore I had to somehow muster what little I had in me to remain stoic during this process. Thankfully, services went [mostly] smoothly. It was all so beautiful. It was the celebration of life and the cherishment of his memory that he very much deserved.

I have to keep going. I don’t know how, but I just know that I must. It is what he would want for me to do. “Never give up. Sigue adelante.”

“I’m proud of you.”

"The Unbearable Lightness of Being" Exhibition at Viridian Artists

Sat, 22 Jun 2024 18:36:41 -0700

I am excited to be a part of "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" group exhibition at Viridian Artists in Chelsea, Manhattan!

For those who weren't able to attend the opening reception on June 13, there will be a closing reception on Saturday, July 6 from 4 to 6pm. The address of the gallery is 548 W 28th Street Suite 632, New York, NY 10001. If you'd like to stop by any time before the closing reception, the gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 12 to 6pm.

Here is a link to view the virtual version: Read More

Magazine Publications of Fall 2023

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 19:51:55 -0700

During the past several months, I have been meaning to share updates about my inclusion in two magazine publications - The Best of Acrylic magazine (published September 2023) and Arts to Hearts Magazine Issue #4 (published November 2023). I know I am very late, but I feel it's important that I share these because it has been such an honor to have been selected. I've created a section on my website earmarked for publications, which will include photos of pages in which I appear, and additional information. https://www.chasityc.art/publications

In January, I walked into Barnes & Noble in Union Square. To my surprise, I spotted a familiar magazine cover.

The Best of Acrylic: Winners of the AcrylicWorks 10 Competition

I just about yanked it off the shelf with excitement. It was nearly impossible to process that my work was printed in this very...Read More

Summer 2023 Updates

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 07:50:08 -0700

I've returned (after a much-needed hiatus) with some nice updates during the past few months.

I am delighted to announce that I was selected as June's winner for the Boynes Monthly Art Award, with my painting Still Blue Sparkle! As part of my award, I had the lovely opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences in a published interview (which you can find here).

https://boynesartistaward.com/interviews/artist-chasity-colon

The questions asked were deep and thoughtful, which prompted me to reflect on my comprehensive experience as both an aspiring artist then, and a professional artist now. My experience with Boynes has been a sincere pleasure (and much thanks to the director, Chantal Boynes)!

My painting Still Blue Sparkle has won a few additional awards since May, including an Honorable Mention Award from Teravarna's 5th Still Life Art Competition (along with Solitary Colors), Third Place from TheArtList.com's May - June Artist of the Month Contest, a Bronze Award from Camelback Gallery's 6th Annual Open Theme Juried Traditional Painting & Drawing...Read More