JEN SBRAGIA - PORTLAND, OR
Untitled

what's the idea behind your dolls?
I tried to think of an interesting theme but everything seemed trite. I just decided to make one in the image of myself, and the rest are just random; fashion victim girl, alien girl, funny dog, and stormtrooper.

red vines or twizzlers?
Red Vines. Twizzlers are gross. Black licorice is really the only way to go.

what contemporary artists are you inspired by?
Rachel Whiteread, the sculptor. Stella Marrs for her postcards, everyone who makes stencil graffiti, and the guy who spray paints the images of tanks everywhere in Portland.

last piece of art acquired?
A Steve Keene painting of the Lita Ford record cover "Out for Blood" and a 1960s travel poster for Phoenix with paper cut out forms that were then photographed.

tell the audience what movie/book/album/website/tv show/magazine you love that most people haven't seen/read/heard?
I love the British version of Antiques Roadshow. Everyone is so proper and restrained. I absolutely love watching The Stargazer which is a five minute program shown on OPB right before they go off the air on Sunday nights. It's a guide to the stars and planets, and what to look for in the sky that week. The host is really funny, but I don't think he means to be. A fanzine called "Highest Population of Rock Stars" by Amy Greenan is brilliant. If your'e a history and/or eco-nerd at all you might like "Waste & Want: A Social History of Trash" by Susan Strasser. As for movies my all time favorite is "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains", with "Over the Edge" as a close second.

how did you get to where you are now?
A lot of being at first rebellious, then lazy, then a lot of catching up.

favorite place in your town?
South East Portland, in general. Especially the industrial areas. I used to love getting lost in Ladd's Addition before I figured it out. Junior's for breakfast. Especially the time in between placing your order and when it arrives. The anticipation.

favorite place in the world?
First: Northern California. Then, Portland, Oregon.

i would not be an artist if it were not for _________ ?
My brother Tony. He's the real artist in the family. He paints giant, beautiful landscapes.