Cosmic Guide — Steph Guillén

Feb 24

“Cosmic Guide” (2023)

Creating this mask was emotional for me. The emotional part came during the plaster phase, while I was sitting on my bathroom floor with my entire face, mouth, and eyes covered in plaster strips waiting on them to dry. It made me think about my life’s journey, the different chapters in my story, and what masks I’ve symbolically worn along the way. From there, I intuitively knew how to decorate her to give her what she needed.
The decoration process started by enhancing her brow and cheekbones with additional plaster strips and building her third eye. I also added some plain plaster to smooth out the fabric texture. After the plaster dried, I painted an undercoating of gold and covered that with acrylic black mica flakes to give her a mysterious, cosmic look. I collaged her inside with positivity and topped it off with gold flakes. Then, I added foliage and flowers for her eyes and forehead. Lastly, I added hanging hardware to the back.
Regarding the mask herself, I think she “lives” in the cosmos, offering guidance, reflection, and spirituality. She tells me to listen more deeply to my intuition, which has never guided me wrong. I think she’s also connected to my ancestors and the wisdom of the collective unconscious. She is my friend, and we are grateful she was brought to my awareness through the physical medium of a mask.
© Steph Guillén

I’m an art therapy and counseling master’s degree program student, as well as an artist, writer, and program director with a strong background in communications, photography, art, and job search/employment strategies. I have a passion for uplifting marginalized communities through means that champion knowledge, growth, and empowerment. My professional history largely resides in working with unemployed mid-to-high level executives, refugees, immigrants, and newcomers from the Middle East. I’ve advocated for and empowered these communities through the mediums of online graphic communications, writing, education, workshops, program development, and art.

I combine skills in art, graphics, photography, writing, project management, content creation, social media, advocacy/awareness initiatives, program development, and research to make a positive impact.

Certificates in: Positive Psychology, The Science of Well-Being, Creative Writing, Therapeutic Art Life Coaching, Career Brand Management, and Social Media Marketing. Education in Graphic Communications Technology, Photography, Middle Eastern Studies, and International Relations. Pursuing a competitive M.A. program in Art Therapy & Counseling.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies while working full-time.

• Nominated for membership in Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society, Sigma lota Rho Honor Society, and The Society for Collegiate Leadership & Achievement.

• Recipient of the Global Goodwill Ambassador’s Humanitarian Award in recognition of years of impactful volunteer work, primarily in the refugee and international arena.

• Inducted into the Golden Key International Society with a 4.0 GPA in Middle Eastern Studies.

• Invited and accepted into the following committees and board: YMCA International’s Refugee College Scholarship Committee five years in a row, YMCA International’s Triumph of the Human Spirit Art Selection Committee two years in a row, United Nations Association of Houston Board Member & Global Classroom Liaison, World Refugee Day-Houston’s Panel Committee and Fundraising Committee.