The Beat #42: The Beall-Chinn Issue
A note: This is the final (for now, at least) new installment of The Beat: A Cultural Mixtape. It’s appropriate that it would be from a member of the Beall-Chinn family, as it was Greg Chinn who first brought the idea of this collaboration to Outer Voice. Greg, Mandy, Lily and Koa were great friends to my family when we lived in Los Angeles, and that friendship has continued in the years since we moved away. While The Beat is taking a hiatus (our other work has begun to make it difficult to put together such an ambitious weekly project), the Chinn-Steakley / Local Brand Co. / Outer Voice friendship and collaboration will continue. Keep an eye out!
This week, our guest artist is none other than Lily Chinn — designer, CCA student and daughter of The Beat creative director Greg Chinn and writer Amanda Beall.
From Lily:
Hi, I am Lily Chinn, student at CCA studying Industrial Design as well as Greg’s favorite and only daughter. Ever since I was little it’s always been me and my dad making art, and that hasn’t stopped. I’ve learned so much from him growing up but both of my parents always allowed for my own path of creativity.
My dad is a walking dad joke but is talented and passionate about his craft and a little too meticulous when it comes to decorating the house. Daddy, thank you for being one of my biggest inspirations and for always supporting me and giving me space to see art through my own lens. Wise words from Greg — “you do you” and he always does.
Family Saab
The Saab, “Saaby Saaby” as the Beall- Chinn family calls it, is old and squeaky but very much loved. The best memories I have in this car, a car more than half my age, is driving around in Fairfield, Connecticut listening to Bob Marley with the convertible top down with my dad. We would both have our sunglasses on and I am sure every time he would remind me to bring a sweatshirt and tie my hair up so it wouldn’t bother me, but being a stubborn kid I wouldn’t. A few blocks of driving with the top down I would get cold, or my floppy hair would tickle my face and he would put it back up. Still, the iconic moments are the ones where I could finish all of Three Little Birds by Bob Marley with the top down and really had no worries.
Pitbulls
Pitbulls are the outcasts of the dog community. People hold their dogs close and make faces when they see pitbulls walking down the street. We brought a pitbull into our home and I can say with confidence she is the sweetest dog I’ve ever known. Not a vicious bone in her chunky body, only love and the need to sleep. I know she’s a good dog, everyone who meets her can tell she's a good dog and I think she is starting to know that too. I strongly encourage you to adopt or even foster these loving, goofy and sleepy dogs because they will be your best friend, she is definitely mine.
Caffeine-Free Diet Coke
Caffeine free Diet Coke, my mom's favorite thing in the world. Since before I can remember I would ask for small sips of her soda which have now turned into big gulps or even finishing half the glass. Every McDonalds run or special occasion = Diet Coke. This can is a staple in our household but because of the pandemic we weren’t able to find any. There was a shortage of aluminum cans so Coca-Cola stopped producing the Caffeine Free Diet Cokes specifically. During this desperate time whenever my dad or I went to the store and spotted the caffeine free diet coke we would buy it. This caused many Coke liters as well as cases of soda to pile up — my mom's version of heaven. We can now find it regularly at our local Target! Crisis averted.
Photobooth Funnies
I call this piece photobooth funnies because my mom always tells me the story of how she would have to go into the office (which she didn’t love) but what made her day better was us sending photobooth photos of me and my dad being goofballs.
