For some, art is a calling. For others, it’s more than that: it’s the magic that defines their entire lives. In conversation with Grey Rain (he/him, xe/xem), I truly felt his love for this kind of magic, and was left with an entirely new appreciation for art in general. 

Born and raised on Tataviam lands, also known as the San Fernando Valley, Rain has always been drawn to the arts. Throughout his life, he has experimented with all kinds of mediums, from digital formats to watercolor paintings, although writing has always been his foremost preference. Much of his early exposure to the arts was defined by his Bolivian upbringing in the Valley; since as early as 3 years old, Rain would perform folkloric dances in public parades and always felt a great deal of pride and empowerment in the SFV’s Bolivian dance community. In a space where one was “never allowed to be shy,” and where everyone knew who everyone was, Rain developed a sense of self that would help carry him through times of uncertainty and adversity. 

And indeed, there were times when Rain was left disappointed by the spaces he found himself in, from internships to other artistic spaces. He sometimes felt as though the peopmle in these spaces were only concerned with their own social cliques and the “prestige” of their circumstances, more than any actual love for art and expression. While this was frustrating to grapple with, it did cultivate within Rain a determination not only to discover, but also foster, the sorts of spaces he wanted to see: spaces that challenged young artists to grow and express themselves as authentically as possible, so they might also experience the radical healing and liberation that Rain experienced through his own creations. 

It was eventually through zine-making programs that Rain was able to cultivate these sorts of spaces. Somewhat unexpectedly, Rain found himself leading youth programs where he taught young artists how to create zines–a process which was initially daunting, yet eventually became something akin to “opening the gates of heaven.” Rain found immense joy and gratification in being able to teach his students how to create their own zines, and in turn, his students found a sense of home, belonging, and relief through the process of creating their zines. As Rain put it, the point wasn’t to create anything “good”; the point was to create something that felt genuine to each artist, and find catharsis through the process of creating. That’s what art’s all about, after all! 

Indeed, this authentic spirit and approach to creating helped Rain connect with Camille and the Queer26, almost three years ago. They first met through Publisher Club, one of Q26’s writing programs, and have been in creative contact ever since. When it came time to cast for Passion of X, Rain was a natural choice. His section kicks off the film, with a poem that centers around themes of rebirth and coming home to the self. Rain provides a voiceover with his poem, while the rest of the section will be animated by fellow collaborators. This was overall a project he felt very connected to, and was incredibly grateful to be a part of. “The process of coming into who you are is so spiritual,” he said, “but the process of being able to express who you are is also very spiritual.” In that sense, to Rain, this wasn’t just a project about the power of art: it was a project about the power of being totally embodied & free. 

Moving ahead, Rain will continue to experiment with different mediums and make art the focal point of his life. He also hopes to keep working with youth and sharing the same joy of playful creation that he himself so often revels in. We’re certain that, no matter what he does, he’ll succeed in sharing this joy, because I certainly felt inspired after only a short conversation with him.