Sassify Zine - Volume 3

SASSIFY ZINE

is a lowbrow art publication. Every issue is a curated exploration of the word sassy, and includes a series of illustrations, stories and interviews challenging perceptions of sassiness.

Each issue is centered on a theme, where we toy with the grotesque, the beautiful, the lowbrow, gender and sexuality to revolutionize what it is to be sassy.

The Temptation Issue explores the theme of having a temptation, giving into that temptation and the consequences of doing so.

The recurrent temptations that pop up throughout this issue, reveal that we are mainly tempted by food, sex and relationships.

Are you ready for reveal yours?

contents

Cover Illustration:

Alisha Murray @scoobtoobins

Miriam Mirastchiski: pseudo5.bigcartel.com

Samuel B Thorne: www.samuelbthorne.com

Alex May Hughes: www.alexmayhughes.co.uk

Madelen Foss www.madelenfoss.co.uk

Scott a. a. Bibus www.frightprops.com

Lita Poliakova www.litapoliakova.com

Francesca Tiley cargocollective.com/francescatiley

GUTS www.etsy.com/uk/shop/gutsart

Hannah Presdee www.hannahpresdee.com

Sophie Whittle @seww_so

Lazo www.etsy.com/shop/SoniaLazoIllustrator

Tetley Clarke http://www.tetleyclarke.com

BOULET BROTHERS INTERVIEW.

by: Kat Hudson. www.kathudson.co.uk

Cyclops woodencyclops.storenvy.com

Oliver Coles www.jackolivercoles.com

Garcia choppingjerks.storenvy.com

www.sophiemcmahan.com

NAKED

Morawska society6.com/martamorawska

Sophie Garland @sophierosegarland

Luke Stuart www.luke-stuart.co.uk

- 29 Juno Birch @junobirch

James Willmott @jimmer_willmott

Tom Eglington www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TomEgg

Lindsay Stevens @yasdnilsnevetsart

Jeff Dicken$$$ @cockandbullpics

- 35. JORDAN ALEXANDER INTERVIEW. Illustration by: Thread Famous. www.threadfamous.co.uk

Pansy Ass Ceramics pansyassceramics.bigcartel.com

Ray Mauri nockoffpress.bigcartel.com

Hayley Fiddler @hayleysartpage

Dun @grizzlyillustrations

Sam Dunn http://www.sam-dunn.com

Emily Rose England www,emilyroseengland.com

Lady Bunny in Trans-Jester: Review!

Julie Eliason @artbyjulie.me

Editor

Tales of Black Eyed Jack www.talesofblackeyedjack.com

INSTA @talesofblackeyedjack

To submit or buy Sassify Zine: www.sassifyzine.com

and published Banbury UK 2017

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miriam mirastchiski

DEFINE SASSINESS...

Attitude, snark, follow-through.

TELL US YOUR BEST SASSY STORY...

I used to cocktail at a shitty strip club on the West Bank, New Orleans, called DC’s Lounge. There was a guy that came in every day and asked to hear ‘You Dropped A Bomb on Me’ everyday. One day he came in and asked if his favourite dancer was in; her name escapes me at the moment, but I always wanted to use a certain line I had stashed away on these strip- club guys, so I said to him, “Yeah. She’s out back taking a shit.” His face was priceless.

WHAT DRIVES YOU TO CREATE?

Humour or instigating a reaction are my two biggest driving forces. Sometimes that doesn’t happen, and then the reactions themselves become funny. It’s a cycle.

YOUR ILLUSTRATIONS OFTEN INVOKE A STORY - IS THAT INTENTIONAL?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I often just “free-ball it”, as they say, and start with no idea. As the piece develops, something in it will strike me, and I run with it until it eventually turns into a story. Other times, I go in with intention, and those pieces are usually from a personal experience.

WHAT IS YOUR HIDDEN TEMPTATION?

My temptation is a dirty dog. We all know how disgusting they are and what is in them, yet when you are drunk, there is nothing better than a dirty dog loaded with everything. Sometimes you are not even drunk and you are still tempted. I once got a 7/11 dog and ate it off a city mailbox like a rat.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU IN 2017?

2017 is gonna be lit for sure. I’m very excited about an upcoming book project involving my Demonic Candy Clowns! So keep your eyes peeled for that!

samuel b thorne.

DEFINE SASSINES...

Uncompromising, independent and cheeky.

WHAT DRIVES YOU TO CREATE?

Sometimes an idea will just fully emerge in my mind, and I have to get it down on paper. Other times it’s a great piece of music. But most of the time, it’s because the act of creating is one the greatest and happiest things.

YOUR ILLUSTRATIONS OFTEN INVOKE

A STORY, IS THAT INTENTIONAL?

Not always. I like my work to work on a number of levels. I like people to be able to look at it for a few seconds and think, "That's a cool image," but I also like to reward people who may stare at it for hours with hidden details and meanings. I also like to keep any story ambiguous, so viewers can draw their own conclusions.

TELL US YOUR BEST SASSY STORY...

Not a story as such, but I’ve injected some much needed life into parties before, and I like to get people inspired with my slightly overwhelming enthusiasm. I live this strange double life of being very bold and lively but also being very quiet and introverted, which probably isn’t the best for your brain.

WHAT IS YOUR HIDDEN TEMPTATION?

I think I allow myself to do and have what I want most of the time anyway, so I can’t say I have too many temptations!

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU IN 2017? Work, work, work! More murals and painting, more printed works and more experimental pieces. I want to get more work in front of people physically and keep pushing my style and my technical skills.

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I have the sweetest tooth. It doesn’t matter what form, but I love sweeties.

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I actually really love milk chocolate, but because I’m a vegan, it isn’t something I eat anymore. I am always tempted to take a bite, but in the end I know it’s not worth it. So here are a couple of milk chocolate poodles, because I am also really tempted to get myself a dog or two!

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Even though I know it’s wrong, and feel guilty about it, I still eat meat.

Unroll the loaf to lick the queer all over, bite the juicy flesh and catch the sugary perversions! Split not legs, but limits!

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Having sex with people I shouldn’t be having sex with, whilst eating the foods I shouldn’t be eating.

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I loved to bone. I could never say no!

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BOULET BROTHERS

ILLUSTRATION: KAT HUDSON

DEFINE SASSINESS...

Sassiness is a tongue pop at the end of a sentence, or a neck crane, or a swish of your hip as you stomp off. It’s the ‘fuck’ in ‘‘fuck you.’’

DO YOUR DRAG PERSONAS GIVE BETTER SASS THAN YOUR OUT-OF-DRAG COUNTERPARTS?

What do you think?

IS THE CONCEPT OF SASS PERTINENT TO SUCCESS?

Well, it’s always important to believe in yourself and exude confidence.

DO YOU HAVE A HIDDEN TEMPTATION?

No. When we want things, we just go get them.

HAVE YOU EVER GIVEN INTO A TEMPTATION? AND WHAT WERE THE CONSEQUENCES?

Every time we have wanted something and indulged in it, it’s a total pleasure. We believe that as long as you’re not hurting yourself or anyone else, you should indulge in whatever you love until your heart is content.

WHAT GUILTY PLEASURE CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?

An assistant. A right-hand man. A manservant. A pretty one.

WHAT SORT OF FILTH, GLAMOUR AND HORROR CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU IN THE FUTURE?

Right now we just wrapped filming for The Boulet Brothers ‘DRAGULA: Search for the World’s First Drag Super monster’ season one, which you can watch on Heyqween.tv. We are taking the girls from season one on a performance tour, and then we have some massive news for season two, but you will have to wait and read about that later!

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Sophie A McMahan

DEFINE SASSINESS IN THREE WORDS... Powerful, witty, fiery! WHAT IS YOUR HIDDEN TEMPTATION?

I guess my hidden temptation is that I wish I could be more carefree and outgoing. I get tempted to let loose and be more wild when I’m out with friends, but my shyness gets in the way.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST SASSY STORY?

When I was just out of high school, my two best friends and I took a trip to Europe. It was the summer and we were in Paris. We were having a lovely day, walking around a park licking ice cream cones. A much older man walked by us and told us we should lick him instead. Although we were initially stunned, we were able to quickly snap back and curse him and snap at him. It just felt so gratifying to be able to put him in his place after harassing us when we were having such a sweet time. I later did a comic about this experience, but instead of snapping at him, we zap him and melt him!

juno birch

WHAT IS SASSINESS?

Flamboyance and wit with a hint of glamour.

TELL US YOU BEST SASSY STORY...

Back when I was in high school, I was told by my teachers not to wear a skirt. They told me it would attract too much attention while transitioning from male to female. The next day I came into school in a skirt and strutted through the yard; heads turned and people gossiped, but I felt so fabulous.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO CREATE?

I am inspired by women in the 1950s and 60s, overly feminized costumes and I love vintage sci-fi.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEDIUM TO CREATE IN? Fine liner drawings, digitally coloured.

WHAT IS YOUR HIDDEN TEMPTATION?

When I transitioned from male to female, I felt so comfortable in my own skin, that I was tempted to just run through the street naked, but I’m pretty sure I’d have been arrested.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU IN 2017?

I will be part of an exhibition called ‘Continuum’, which features artwork from 17 transgender artists in the Manchester’s People’s History Museum. I am also working on a zine inspired by 1960s housewife manuals called ‘Hairstyles to Hide Your Brain’.

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When ya gotta pass a piss test!

Bend over in a childish twist to get kissed!

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pansy ass ceramics

DEFINE SASSINESS...

Free, fun, fierce.

TELL US YOUR BEST SASSY STORY...

The sassiest story coming to my mind right now is my mother telling me about how she shared our artwork with her friends and cousins at a girls spa getaway a couple of weeks ago. What we do may seem vulgar and silly to some, but for us it is about spreading visibility for our gay peeps. And I think it is pretty sassy that my lovely mum gives no fucks and is proud enough to share the things we create.

WHAT IS YOUR HIDDEN TEMPTATION?

We are pretty open about what turns us on, but not a lot of people know how obsessed with aquarium fish I am... and for Kris, I would probably say reading celebrity biographies.

WHAT DRIVES AND INSPIRES YOU TO CREATE?

We are obsessed with making ceramics that portray queer culture and sexuality. We want to make objects that people identify with and can use to create a space that is representative of who they are.

WHAT NEW PROJECTS HAVE YOU GOT COMING UP? AND WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND YOU?

The next big project we have coming up is a group show at Never Apart Gallery in Montreal; the show is about celebrating the effeminate male, and we have some fun sculptural work that is going to be sissy, sassy and chic!

People can find us @pansyassceramics on Instagram, or through our online store: pansyassceramics.bigcartel.com

To leave.

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SAM DUNN

DEFINE SASSINESS IN THREE WORDS... Do. Your. Thing.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR WORK, AND WHAT DRIVES YOU TO CREATE?

I love working by hand with a brush pen, but when I’m not doing flat artwork, I like trying out new surfaces, covering anything interesting I can find in floral patterns with permanent marker.

I’m always driven to create purely because I enjoy it so much, I’m lucky that my lifelong love of drawing has turned into a profession- Not without struggles and hard times, but it’s always been rewarding in the end.

WHAT IS YOUR HIDDEN TEMPTATION?

Going through a full packet of Quorn scotch eggs in a very short time.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU IN 2017?

Hopefully lots of new projects with exciting clients, big and small. I enjoy doing a bit of everything, whether that be advertising or debut releases for a new a band; it keeps things interesting when projects are completely different.

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emily rose england

DEFINE SASSINESS?

Femme fabulous power and drive. An embodiment of yourself which is cheeky and saucy but daring and strong at the same time.

WHAT DRIVES YOU TO CREATE?

I love documenting, be it the community surrounding me or glimpses of my imagination. I want to capture and inspire. I hope by documenting people comfortable in their own skin and sexuality, it will empower people to feel the same.

WHAT STORIES DO YOU WANT YOUR WORK TO CONVEY?

I have two main threads of work: my more documentary work where I capture my friends and community surrounding me - I just find everyone incredibly inspiring and feel it’s important to document what we do - and my work that focuses more on female empowerment through confidence in themselves and their sexuality. I want to show that women can be powerful through their sexuality and it doesn’t define them as an object; it can be part of their power too when done on their own terms.

IS SASSINESS PERTINENT TO SUCCESS?

Of course! Femme power and confidence in yourself and beliefs will always lead to success.

TELL US YOUR BEST SASSY STORY...

Some boys catcalled me from their car and threw a penny at me telling me that’s how much I was worth when I told them to fuck off. So I went up to their open window and decided to teach them a lesson by scratching them through it with my fabulous talons. Misogynists beware this sassy bitch fights back.

lady bunny in trans-jester!

Acerbic, witty and cringeworthy go see Trans-Jester at your own peril!

Lady Bunny delighted us with her politically incorrect humour at her sold-out show at the Soho Theatre. The audience was swept up in her vitriolic exaltations, and energetic songs and dances, leaving us gagging in disgust.

Without giving too much away, Bunny led us down a distasteful journey of gay self-discovery, leaving no community or queen out of her shade. Hell, even an audience member felt her wrath when he was talking too loudly. Throughout it all she never strayed too far from her comedic roots and continually reminded us how brutal, hilarious and eye-opening she can be.

If you love drag, or if this is your first venture into it, go and see Lady Bunny in Trans-Jester and be prepared for something amazing. She will be back for another run at the Soho Theatre from 12th-17th June 2017.

I was moved by the concept of owning and accepting my sassiness. I can remember clearly the first time I got my face slapped for sassiness. I was four years old. My mum told me that helping her make the bed was a game. I strongly disagreed, and when she told me I’d have to learn to make a bed, I said to my mum, “I hate you.” When she slapped me in the face, I was shocked.

Up until that moment, I had the false belief that I could express myself freely. Ever since then, I have felt that my naturally sassy self was bad. I still expressed myself freely in most instances but often got in trouble for doing it. For example, twice my butch girlfriends slapped me in the face for being sassy. Needless to say, I didn’t stay with either of them.

Learning to own my sassiness makes me feel that maybe I am not a bad person for expressing my mind and feelings without censorship.

Hopefully other people can learn to accept and own their sassiness as well.

JULIE ELIASON