issue six making stuff instead of breaking stuff
six issues young & still dealing with the same old shit. Creating something that comes out regularly is exhillerating but also feels like we’re setting our selves up for disaster. Content is not the issue. If anything, we always have something submitted after layout is done that gets slotted for the next issue, thus giving us a reason to keep going. The issue is time. How the hell do you work to feed yourself and still have the energy to make things when you get home? Sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you just can’t. But if you do it’s always worth it. So just keep going. It’s like that old saying, how does it go? What doesn’t kill you, will keep trying.
Cover & Backcover art by Smaawg
table of contents Cover/Back Cover Art Smaawg Welcome Photography : Crystina McKenna Art: Smaawg Contents Page art by Smaawg Pg 4. Comic Natalie Dupille Pg. 5 Comic Chris Tran Pg. 7 Art & Comics JT Pg. 11: Art Smaawg Pg 15. Photography Crystina McKenna
Pg. 17. Photography Nicholas Moorhead Pg. 19:Interview Messages From Brazil Pg. 23 Art Mandi Licht Pg. 24 Nature Mandalas Haley HIlls Pg. 26 Music Charlies Taxidermy Pg. 30 Photography Lea Zaglin Pg. 36 Art Fern Roth Pg. 40 Poetry Announomous Pg. 42 Artist Index Pg.44 about us
PHOTO GR APHY
Photography Nicholas Moorhead
Brix lives in Brazil. They love zines, arguably more than anyone I’ve ever met. That is if you can really say I’ve “met” Brix.
We became friends on the website wemakezines.com. We quickly became facebook friends as well so we could see each others work. Although we have Chatted for over a year I still don’t know a lot of basic things about Brix. But none of that has mattered. Brix has always Inspired me with late night messages from across the world, so it seemed time to share Brix’s story and ideas.
and Greek. Receiving art status encouraged me to be more abstract, even though the method stayed just the same. The panels dont have to be perfect, only to capture a idea. I draw 100 pages every 10 days and then edit them when i’m already working on something else. It’s amazing how comic book art ages so well! I just found a stash of old files now! Have you seen this series? It took me two years making thousands of abstract drawings, and another
MDB: How would you describe yourself to a reader
one just editing them!
of this zine? MDB: I don’t think you’ve shown me that series beBRIX: I’m a Brazilian zinester influenced by the 90s
fore! For someone interested in many styles of art,
scene. Capturing a feeling is the most important thing
what made you fall in love with making zines?
for me . With (fellow artist) lil-e, I put my soul on a piece of paper. It is my way of thanking everybody
BRIX: I got involved in the zine scene when i moved
who picked me up when my heart was burning and I
from Rio De Janeiro to a smaller city in the mountains.
was down in the streets.
Zines were a way to break my isolation and keep in
Comics are a visual kind of writting. I tried to reach
touch with the outside world. It’s a dream for me to
the universal language of love for this, especially after
have central mailers for my own zines in the five
my minis began to be translated to Japanese, Turkish
continents now!
“I draw 100 pages every 10 days and then edit them when i’m already working on something else”
MDB: What do you want to tell people who want to get started in the zine world? Brix: I hope we can spread the word about this; the zine community is a very inclusive place for everybody. Artists are the kindest type of people! The more talented they are the more they will treat you well! It’s amazing the kind of things that pop in my mail, so many cool zines and original art! And I have come to personally know some of my early influences! It was an all time high to meet brazilian zinester superstar Alberto Monteiro for exemple . I shared a meal with him and left with a stash of original art he gave me ! I edited this material with beat writer Michael Loughlin, cant wait to show you it’s called “ride the sharkwave!” MDB: Wish I could look through all of it!
BRIX: one thing im really proud is the Flick & Jube Comeback Special! Originally released by request of Queen Elizabeth II under her underground comix label the Portobello Project. This masterpiece got so many great reviews they flew Simon Mackie to Brazil in 1987 along with comic book master Will Eisner himself! I got one of the last 3 original copies and translated and hand lettered it! I’m also coming up with a line of minis along with other authors to launch my new series. We should include you in this! MBD: I would love that! Brix: I’m still figuring it out but the editions are ready to go to print with original art and translations. Names include Bobby Madness and Simon Mackie from UK. It’s
Brix: I’m giving the finishing touches to take them to
called “The International Hookey Club” I will announce the
the printshop, I will be posting some teasers soon!
releases in this page: theinternationalhookeyclub.wordpress.com. I’m so glad you are in! I think it will be a great
MDB: What project are you most excited about?
way to show our art together!
Those minis will come with all kinds of different foldings I
MDB: Has there been a time when shit sucked, and
don’t think you’ve seen anything quite like them before Mica!
making stuff helped?
There is so much cool stuff, but I can’t forget two brilliant minis with original art I edited. One by Thomas Boiteux from
BRIX: You know I will open my heart, it was the zine
France and another from my high school friend Rex Wonka.
scene that kept me alive through one of the hardest
He is a great artist who remained unpublished till now. Here’s
times of my life ... despite the sucess of my efforts in
one thing i would like to state about the zine world;
getting exposure on a shoe string budget, I was being
artists tend to be self conscious all the time trying to look like
physically and psychologically abused by the ones who
Marylin Monroe and pleasing their ideal egos, but the zine
were supposed to take care of me at home. So I had
scene spirit kicks all the inhibitions away and throw you in the
to make the 1900 drawings for my new series with lil-e
pool to have fun with the gang! I kept my own minis locked
while escaping from the loonie bin and the police after
for two years before promoting them, and all the feedback,
they tried to frame me living in a squat with no water.
reviews, distro deals, and cool stuff I got showed me every-
It was all worth it everytime i made someone smile with
one is unique and has a piece of the truth to tell the world!
my art and picked one of those care packages of light
Even if only one person likes it, the love and support will
sent from the angels from zine heaven!
make you reach for next level! So everybody should get out there and show their art to the world, zine it !
so you have an idea of how i feel now that im friends with so many of my favorite authors who influenced me!
“ I kept my own minis locked for two years before promoting them, and all the feedback reviews distro deals and cool stuff I got showed me everyone is unique and has a piece of the truth to tell the world!”
The meaning of life is to make our dreams come true! Did I mention i got Bob Vojkto, Bill Griffith and Sal Bieri agreement to publish them too? Ever since i held a pencil, i feel like i’m part of a mystical brotherhood of comic book bots and now I know its true! these guys really raise the bar! I just finished some more drawings. I sleep from exhaustion and dream of comics and when I awake they are there! It’s like i’m drawing with the ghost of the Snow White artist on my back! The publics reaction has been extraordinary! Children looking mesmerized, old folks with a smile and tears in their eyes remembering their childhood reading comics! Comics project directly to the readers soul, it’s the most powerfull midia ever! I can’t thank you enough Mica , it’s a honor and a privilege to be part of the make stuff instead of breaking stuff collective! Making comics is a very lonesome activity and belonging to a flock is a great feeling! Plus audiences of comic authors usually don’t overlap so a compilation zine is a great way to make the art reach the readers hearts I wish you all the best with this project Mica! The zine world is so supportive and full of high caliber art from
MDB: Anything else you want to tell our readers?
different styles it makes you wish to work hard and raise the bar to get to the next level and pay back everybody in kind!
BRIX: theres something really serious going on
I have immersed myself in translating and editing original art
dearest Mica, the media moguls are deliberatelly trying
by such great names, it really taught me more than i could ever
to kill the comic book format just like they did with the
imagine! I’m feeding from the cosmic power from distant stars
comic strip sections in newspapers. Living in Brazil i’ve
in a mission from God!
seen underground mags sell 180,000 and disappear so i
The best way to reach me is through my PO Box. Please send
always thought about zines as a way to not let comics die.
trades stamps and well conceived cash to:
But look at the current situation of the comics industry today, the big companies are hardly sellin 30 - 50 thousand
Brix Skwikz
copies. People love comics. Studies show the mix of words
Caixa Postal 33
and pictures is the best way to share a message but ap-
Varginha-mg 37002-970
parently they don’t want thought provoking art for the
Brazil
masses. There is a plan to substitute thought provoking art for the masses with electronic mass hypnosis by expensive cellphones and computers, and zines will stand still be here when it all goes down!
I promise to send everybody a nice piece of original art.
NATURE MANDALAS
A Charlies Taxidermy tape is a piece of art. All the
The first 20 runs of this issue comes with a Char-
recordings are done using unique D.I.Y techniques.
lies Taxidermy tape. We suggest you dust off
All the packaging is handmade and uses metal, duct
your old stero or get a ride from someone with
tape, and collaged drawings to create multidemen-
a tape player in their car and start exploring the
sional cassette holders. It’s a product that looks
world of Charlies Taxidermy.
like it sounds.
Bad Meezers memuras
MDB: What is Charlies Taxidermy? CT: Charlies Taxidermy was started as something to give people music, ideas & art. To help people have fun and live their lives. MDB: How has making music changed for you when you started versus now? CT: When I first started I would make songs and they wouldn’t quite sound like what I wanted them to since I didn’t play the instruments as well as I do now. Now I’ve made the music closer to what I’ve wanted it to be.
MDB: Any advice for people who want to make music? 1. An accoustic guitar 2. A keyboard 3. A tape deck with mic. 4. A cassette 4 track & try not to be scared MDB: Has there been a time when shit sucked and making stuff helped?
CT: Yes. Actually recently I made a section of a jam out of one of my instruments from when I was in high school. It was a bass harp that had gotten broken (in high school) So it felt really good when (I fixed it) and made the song.
MDB: What projects are you working on now? CT: I am working on a best of album that is strange and heavy. I’m hoping to make about 900 copies. MDB: If you had no limitations what would be the dream project for Charlies Taxidermy? CT: An Ipod watch that was full of old and new Charlies Taxidermy songs...with a louder speaker.
MDB: How can readers enjoy your music? CT: They can listen to my music on my soundcloud profile at soundcloud.com/charliestaxidermy. We’ve had a booth for 4 years at strawberry festival with my music (Strawberry Festival: Vashon Island Wa. July) We also have tapes available at Vashon Island Music.
photography Ever since I can remember Lea always the girl with the camera. She had photos of nights no one could remember.
MDB: What made you start carrying a camera with you and documenting everyday life? Lea Zaglin: I took my first photography class in middle school, immediately I became fascinated with the tactile process of film. The entire environment of the dark room enthralled me, watching my photographs appear under the developer was completely magical experience, it instilled a passion within me. The role of photographer seemed essential to me throughout high school, I gained access to situations through the power of the camera and began to gain confidence. I constantly was trying to push myself to be artistic, but began to fall in love with the simplicity of snapshot photography and the immense amount of fun I had documenting my incredible friend group on our insane adventures. I was always trying to think about how to make the most beautiful photographs, but would find myself switching modes from casual documentation to artistic intention. After high school I began to recognize how much happier I was with my camera around my neck. I felt free and inspired and soon after, every day became an opportunity to challenge myself.
MDB: What is your process when shooting? Do you
tographs that appeal to a sense of wonder blending
tend to have a game plan before you begin or do
portraiture and landscape. I am often staging scenes
you like to go with a flow?
in the landscape, playing with smoke bombs, lazers,
LZ: It depends how I feel on the day. When I am in
artificial lighting and interacting with nature. So for
an artistic rut I try to just force myself to take out my
a majority of my photo shoots a lot of planning is
camera and head into the forest. I make sure to bring
involved, shot lists and I write myself tips and things
my notebook to review concepts I’ve been working
to remember while I shoot. Though no matter what,
on or specific shot ideas, just to get myself shooting.
once a shoot starts it is important to go with the flow
Recently my work has focused on moments in nature
because when you are working in the landscape you
that engage with the uncanny, I work to create pho-
aren’t in control you are dealing with the magical
some gorgeous flowing fabric. Though it is always changing and I have a plethora of absurd ideas I want to complete one day. MDB: What is the most frustrating part of shooting and the most rewarding? Easily the most consistently frustrating part of shooting is returning to the computer and opening up your image for the first time to realize your favorite shot isn’t perfectly in focus. I have taught myself to always shoot a lot, especially when working digitally, but mistakes always will happen. As an undergrad at art school it is so easy to be constantly overwhelmed and so busy you don’t truly realize your personal growth as you are always thinking of what you can improve. I always feel incredibly proud once I am looking at a large amount of my contact sheets and test prints of new work and start to see the connections I imagined coming to life. When that intense nervous feeling about the weird risk or directional change I took starts to turn into an excitement to share and discuss the work, I know
I am doing something right.
MDB: What besides photography inspires you work most? Do certain movies or albums affect your work? LZ: I find myself constantly being inspired by the people around me and all the various art that surrounds my life. Of course all the galleries and books I read have an impact but small things in my day to day life have a huge impact on my work. I love music and it has always been a huge artistic inspiration, as it affects my mood and therefore my photography. Currently I am constantly reliving moments from this past Burning Man in my head, mostly through music and photographs I took and the Tycho Dusty Rhino sunrise set is a huge inspiration! I have always listed to wide range of music but right now I am listening to a lot of Emancipator, Beirut, Animal Collective, tUnE-yArDs, The ACB’s, Phantogram, Sleigh Bells and Sigor Rós. Also I am taking a film noir class right now and am absolutely in love with the odd and extravagant angles, moody lighting and complex narrative structure. Though I would absolutely say that my greatest inspiration is the Barefoot Lazer Commune, I have incredibly smart and talented friends who are constantly inspiring me intellectually and artistically and I am so lucky to have them. MDB: Has there been a time when shit sucked for you and making unpredictable forces of nature.
stuff helped?
MDB: If there were no limitations what would be
LZ: Absolutely, I have always turned to photography, or other art, when
the dream Lea Zaglin photo shoot be? You can go
I am feeling anxious or depressed. My first year at CCA I lived alone
anywhere and shoot anything.
in a tiny apartment in Oakland, I was struggling with a long distance
LZ: My dream photoshoot changes every few
relationship and lack of friends, needless to say I was depressed. Forc-
months, but it always involves one of my beauti-
ing myself to make art and become deeply involved in projects allowed
ful female friends. I have always wanted to do an
me to use my own loneliness as inspiration and progressively helped
underwater shoot in a gorgeous tropical reef and or
me gain confidence and trust in myself. Art constantly allows me to
near a ledge of open-ocean. I envision some tropical
learn about myself and the world around me; the projects I create have
fish, and possibly a whale with a model floating with
helped me form my own identity and love of myself.
MDB: Any advice for anyone who wants to start taking photos? LZ: Carry your camera around with you wherever you go! Start shooting things that you love or are comfortable around before pushing yourself to more challenging subjects, it will help ease you into it. Also focus on something that you are interested in and then you are able to learn more about it while thinking about your perspective and intent through photographing.
Roath is a illustrator based out of Seattle WA. Her illustrations are mystical and detailed. They remind me of fairy tale heroines, ones that could kick my ass. Her characters come across as having long back stories with new goals and missions awaiting. We wanted to learn who these characters were.
MDB: Your illustrations, like the Tough Bunni series, always seem to
MDB: Where do you find inspiration for what your working on?
tell a story. Why do you think your illustrations have such a narra-
Do certain movies or albums inspire your work?
tive quality?
FR: I think I draw a lot from nature and the illustrators and de-
FERN ROaTH: Whenever I create a piece, illustration or not, I always
signers I look up to, but there are too many to list. Some of my
have a million things going through my head, but one thing that
best work is created when listening to musicians like Zella Day,
always occurs when I’m creating a set of something is, “Would these
Fall Out Boy, Meg Myers, Halsey, Ruelle, Nujabes- the list goes on
be friends?” It’s kind of a silly thought but it’s something I always
for awhile, but they’re my hometown team for getting ideas out.
wonder when creating, and I would say the same goes for these Tough Bunni babes.
MDB: If you had no limitations, what would be your dream project?
MDB: Have you always been an illustrator? Did other art mediums
FR: I think even though my dream jobs are branding, packaging,
lead you here?
concept and character design, I’d love to do an overhaul
FR: I guess you would say that I have been drawing since I was really
rebranding of a makeup line. Or even better, make my own
little. I always wanted to be a better artist than my mother. I used to
makeup line and do all the branding.
look at all her artwork from when she was in high school and would tell myself I had to better than her. If I had to say anything, it was illustration that lead me to become a designer.
MDB: Do you have a plan when working on a project or do you like to play it by ear? FR: It’s rare that I ever have a creative block when it comes to ideas. Sometimes I think about what to do for projects that are coming up before I even finish the one I’m currently on, so I usually come up with a plan way too early. But when I’m doing things for just myself, I let things happen. MDB: Is there a website or email you would like to provide if readers want to see more of your work? FR: Right now I’m in the middle of designing a website which I plan to have done by the new year. I have an Instagram where I post nature, WIPs (works in progress) and sometimes my face. I also have a Twitter where I figure out how to tweet and am a big ol’ nerd about things. My handle on both is @lavenderferncat and my email for commissions or to order prints is m.fern.r13@gmail.com.
Pg 4. Comic
Natalie Dupille http://www.thefeministbakery.com
Pg. 5 Comic
Chris Tran http://saddestvacation.tumblr.com
Pg. 7 Art & Comics
JT stonephoto4.tumblr.com
Pg. 11: Art
Smaawg soundcloud.com/smaawg
Pg 15. Photography
Crystina McKenna 88photos.tumblr.com
Pg. 17. Photography
Nicholas Moorhead instagram: @ihavemoremusic
Pg. 19: Interview
Brix Skwikz Caixa Postal 33 Varginha-mg 37002-970 Brazil
Pg. 23 Art
Mandi Licht mandilicht.crevado.com, instagram: idnam_in_black
Pg. 24 Nature Mandalas
Haley HIlls etsy.com/shop/pnwmandalas
Pg. 26 Music
Charlies Taxidermy soundcloud.com/charliestaxidermy
Pg. 30 Photography
Lea Zaglin http://leazaglin.com
Pg. 36 Art
Fern Roth m.fern.r13@gmail.com. instagram/twitter: @lavenderferncat
We are always looking for new artists to feature in our next issue. If you would like to submit work email makedontbreak@gmail.com