We love showcasing projects and artists! B.C. sat down with illustrator (and Buzzfeed contributor) Jack Sjogren (pronounced show-grin) to talk cartooning, butts, and celebrating the freedom of weirdness. Check out the Q&A, along with Jack’s work, below.
1. Describe your style as an artist:
Tongue-in-cheek humor, economical linework, and an overwhelming sense of I-don’t-know-what-I-feel-but-I-feel-it-intensely.
2. What has influenced you as an illustrator?
Shel Silverstein, Miranda July, Raymond Carver, Wes Anderson, Michel Gondry. I love quiet, devastating storytellers. Also my friends are endlessly inspiring (see Hallie Bateman, Gizem Vural, Daniel Zender).
3. When did you first start pursuing illustration?
I’d just moved to Florida for my senior year of high school. I had few friends, lots of free time, and a very encouraging art teacher named Andi Tomassi. On December 20th, 2007, it occurred to me that I could do this for a living. I wrote it down.
4. What kinds of themes or topics do you explore in your work?
I want to hold up a mirror to the world, saying “You are fucked up. And you are also very very lovely.” I also try to explore my own insecurities and comfort zones. I often ask myself, “What makes me feel the most and why?” Conversely, I draw a lot of butts and am interested in the best ways to spell out a fart.
5. What kinds of projects do you have lined up for the future?
I’m working on a Cosmo-style sex tips zine, a few friendship collaborations, a book of love letters, and more comics for Hyperallergic and others. Lots of pots cooking all at once. It smells wonderful!
6. What are your biggest goals? Aka if you could do anything with your work, what would it be?
I’d love to make TV and books for both kids and adults. I just want to tell the world that there’s freedom in being as weird as you’d like.
7. Any additional comments:
I’ll be speaking with cartoonist (and all-around pal) Hallie Bateman at Matt Torrey’s in Brooklyn on August 25th at 6:30pm as part of The Crone Collective’s Summer lecture series. Come if you’re in NYC!
His website: Jacksjogren.com
IG: @sjogrenjack
Hyperallergic: http://hyperallergic.com/author/jack-sjogren/
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