Jabzug, known to the real world as Johanna Abzug, is always on top of the pop culture comedy. She made a card featuring Polanski in jail, another one highlighting the Balloon Boy incident (cover art below), and Kanye, Imma let you finish card. Beyond the amusing cultural references, she’s created a greeting card to break up with someone, a “well done” card featuring a steak, and “ewes invited” invitation. And then of course there are the holiday cards, with a rapping Santa (who knew he’s a bad ass), Halloween is for pedophiles and how do you spell that Jewish holiday card.
Her work is lots of fun and we wanted to learn more about how her cards and art get to be so awesome. Here’s what she’s told us about herself:
What inspires your work?
I love letters inside and out. They group together to form not only words that have meaning, but also abstract shapes. I am most interested in looking these shapes for what they are… and then tweaking them beyond comfortable recognition.
What’s your favorite kind of greeting card to receive?
Anything hand made. I mean, I love to receive any kind of greeting card, but it’s hard to beat handwriting and cute little doodles.
What’s your favorite kind of card to send?
I like sending cards when they are unexpected, like between holidays n’ stuff. And you can bet they’re handmade (from PS cards to little post-it notes [those count as cards, I think]).
What is the last card you received / sent?
The last card I received was a cute valentine’s card with a creepy lemur on it from my friend Morgan– she knows how much I love my creepy lemurs. The last card I sent was a card in response to hers — lalafunpant’s “Today’s Special Is You” card.
Where do you do your best work?
If it’s digital, on my laptop in front of el TV. If I’m drawing, though… I have a table that’s ridiculously too large for my apartment (7 ft long). It’s the perfect height for drawing. I’d like to get an easel, though.
What’s your favorite medium to work in?
My favorite medium is pretty much whatever is available. Right now I’m using a lot of colored pencils because I love the way they build up a nice sheen and smoothness on the paper. I also love how black india ink is and how it comes out of a calligraphy pen nib.
Where are you located?
I live in Brooklyn, NY.
Where can people find your art for purchase?
Well, I’ve never sold any work, but if anyone would like some– email me at jabzoog@gmail.com! But, so I can still plug myself eeee, I am in the middle of starting a new “blog” that’s sort of like a personal/work blog, where entries are images of handwriting. There will also be digital and hand-drawn lettering if I’ve had one of those “one word” (four letter word) days. Stay tuned to www.letterlove.net.
Tell us what you think about the Pig!
The Pig is great. It is such a relief to see cards made with LOVE and that have personality. I love the community aspect and how resources grow and grow and grow. And, the Pig is easy!
What’s your favorite pork product?
Mmm. I don’t eat pork much, unless it’s in a Cemita al Pastor from Tacos Matamoros in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. A really, really delicious sandwich with spicy yummy pork. Also any pork from Momofuku. I don’t like bacon… shh.