Meet Sara Jackson

Join us as we slip out of the everyday boring world and into the fantastic, strange, and sometimes grotesque world of Sara Jackson. This NY based illustrator tells modern stories under the lens of old world folklore.

In our latest interview we chat with the artist about books, hugs, and inspiration. It’s all here in a very special interview

Would You Rather

be hugged by a very sweaty person for too long, or ride an elevator with someone who is farting a lot? Why?

I guess being hugged by a very sweaty person. Because I’ve done it before. Many times. The men I sleep with always tend to sweat a shower’s worth and I’m not sure why. It’s not a turn on of mine or anything.

Some questions with Sara Jackson

What was the last book you read? Did you like it?

Last book I read was called Puss Junkies. I don’t remember the author. It’s about a highschool that’s addicted to eating the pimple puss from this teenage boy, and it’s up there with one of the worst books I’ve ever read. Every time I order a book from Eraserhead Press like that I’m sorely disappointed. I would have loved to read a good story called Puss Junkies. But Eraserhead Press seems to publish the half-baked first drafts of what could be really fun ideas. Why can’t my stuff get published if that’s the case?

If you could give yourself ten years ago any advice what would it be?

Your anxiety disorder and OCD won’t go away, but you’ll learn how to live with them. The superstitions aren’t real. The mean voices in your head aren't real. Don’t listen to what your parents are saying right now, they’re just as scared as you are. Their divorce will give you strength, and you don’t know it yet. You’re going to be a New Yorker someday. Your little cousin Maya is right, you are Jewish after all. Don’t chop your hair off. DON’T CHOP YOUR HAIR OFF. DON’T. CHOP. YOUR. HAIR. OFF.

What kinds of narratives do you gravitate towards in your work?

This question is too broad haha. Anything historical mixed with surrealism. I love painting my dreams, and men. Always men. There’s also some Jewish allegory in whatever I paint, because my relationship with God is important to me. This year my artwork has been about covid, and it’s helping me process the situation better. A lot of times I paint about the perfect romantic/sexual partner for myself, sometimes embodied as a minotaur or a fireman. Anything about love and surrealism. Painting is my mode of operating so I couldn’t possibly water it down to one theme I like to do. No person nor work is ever just one thing.

What is it about the human form that inspires you?

Uhhhhh body hair I guess haha. I’m a slut for male body hair. Yes, this includes back hair. LOVE it. My favorite body parts of paint are the face, veins, and body hair. Everything else, believe it or not, is a little hard.

What other forms of art feed your work?

My writing, although I haven't had much time for it in the past year. Both novella’s I published last year are romantic Jewish folk tales of the sort.

What is the most positive thing to have come from you making art?

That I get to set myself apart from other girls who are crushing on celebrities. I’m fiercely in love with Joe Pera, I painted him, now he follows me on instagram. I’m fiercely in love with Kenny Hotz from Kenny vs Spenny, and he now owns the painting I made of him in 2019. (He requested to have it) Hopefully Nathan Fielder is next. In short, painting is my superpower that makes me special.

What do you want to inspire in people who see and interact with your work?

I wish I knew how to make people cry with my paintings. I don’t know. Anyone’s reaction is okay as long as it doesn’t inspire hatred. I can’t tell you how many times my paintings have been reported or taken down. Or I’ve gotten messages about how my work is “disgusting” or whatever. That’s why I don’t draw dicks so much anymore.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

If anybody wants to buy my paintings for thousands of dollars so I can quit my job, that would be great. If Sotheby’s can auction banana taped to a wall for $400,000 and make some already rich white dude richer, why can’t it happen for me, god damn it! A message to Jerry Saltz: MAKE ME FAMOUS YOU BALD FOOL. (I kid, please help me, Jerry. We met once at MOMA PS1. I’ll do anything for you. And I mean ANYTHING.)