Sara Von Zombie

Maybe five years ago, I was living in Montreal up on St. Laurent and St. Joseph. If I remember correctly, it was the dead of winter - that week that we seem to get every year when no one really leaves their house if they can help it. My roommate and I wouldn’t have either if it weren’t for three things: our power went out, our pipes froze, and we were bored beyond anything!

So there we were. We basically figured that we had two choices. We could stay and go mental in the dark, or we go out and do something distracting. That’s when I went to get my first tattoo. That’s when I met Sara VonZombie.
Who would have thought that, years and a hundred interviews later, I’d be asking her these questions, and years and a hundred tattoos later, she’d be answering them? I definitely never thought that the story of my first tattoo would ever end up being the preface for anything, but then I guess we’ve both come a long way...
   
Well, for starters, was tattoo culture something you had been exposed to at a very young age? Or was it something that you became involved in when you were older?

I didn't start getting heavily tattooed ‘til I was 23. Thank God for that! (Laughs) If I would have gotten all of the dumb-ass tattoos I had wanted when I was younger, I would be unhappy. No one in my family had tattoos or approved of them, for that matter. I remember seeing this girl when I was really young, though. She had purple hair and tattoos all over her arms and I thought she was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.  I got my first tattoo when I was 16: being ever so original, kanjis on my lower back, now covered up. I'm pretty sure I cried. Yup. I was that girl. I was 16 with a tattoo so I thought I was pretty cool, though. I had no idea about custom tattoos for many years after that.

So, you were working at Slick Style Steel when I got my first tattoo. You told me that I was now going to become addicted and cover my whole body. That didn't happen, but I think it was more of a money issue than anything. Has it ever been one for you?

Well, working at a shop really helps. I was lucky for that. I paid for my sleeve entirely with baked goods! (Laughs) When I started really getting into it, I would spend every last dime on getting tattooed. I'm glad I did. I have a pretty impressive, ever-growing collection.

What's the most annoying question that you get asked?

The most annoying question is, "Did that hurt?" Not just annoying because I answer it, on average, 5 times a day, but annoying because they clearly already know the answer. But I guess I have to expect it, so I keep answering.

Yeah, I was then going to be annoying and ask your most annoying question, but it’s true. “Did that hurt?” is brutal. I’ve gotten that a few times, to which I’ve always wanted to reply, “Uh, yes. Yes, it did, as a matter of fact. Thanks for bringing up the painful memories.” Vis-à-vis non-painful memories, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I think when I was four I wanted to be a rainbow when I grew up. Everyone told me that wasn't something I could be. Well, I showed them, didn't I? [Laughing] I'm a pretty colourful person. I've wanted to be a million different things. It's always changing, like me. I don't think I could just do one thing for the rest of my life.

    I've wanted to be everything from an astronaut or marine biologist to a ballerina (I think my mom is secretly upset that I let that one go). But I've always wanted to design clothing and, after six years of piercing, that’s where I'm headed.

What type of student were you back in the day? In Breakfast Club terms, were you a brain, athlete, basketcase, princess or criminal? I was an "alternative smart kid.” I looked like a grunge punk but made a point of reading very long, very controversial books when I was in junior high to see if I would get suspended for it, and thereby have a reason to sue the administration. But I digress. Anyhoo, back to you…

I never really liked school. I wasn't really a good student or a badass until the end of high school I guess. I hated the drama of it all; it was like a soap opera every day. I didn't get along with girls very well. I was always one of the boys and most my friends were dudes. They toughened me up and now I can hold my own pretty well.

Toughness aside, everyone loves those classic 80’s movies. What's your favorite movie out of the following: Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, or The Breakfast Club?

The Breakfast Club, for sure… I think.

What are a couple of dorky habits or likes or trivia that you have that people wouldn't expect? E.g. the cleaning product aisle is my favorite section of the grocery store.

Hmmm… dorky habits and trivia:

I never watched horror movies before because they scared me too much. Then, about 7 years ago, I flooded my brain with them. I guess I became obsessed with what I feared.

    I can watch some movies over and over and over again to the point a normal person would snap it in half. I think I could recite The Evil Dead word for word. I am always daydreaming about zombie outbreaks.  I think bananas are the most disgusting thing in the world. Thinking about eating one makes me dry heave. Gross! (But for some reason I love banana chips.) I link memories with smells. I’m a certified yoga instructor.

A yoga instructor, hmm? Did you ever actually teach?

I never taught full classes. After I finished school, I taught some people privately but I took the course mostly so that I would know how to do it properly. You never know, though. I might teach someday.

What's your drink turn-off for guys? Is there a drink that a guy can order that immediately puts him in the "no dice" category? Like when a dude is at a dive-bar and orders a glass of wine?

Anything with amaretto, So Co, or peach schnapps makes me want to vomit, but I have to say, I've never judged someone based on the drink they bought.

On that note, what's your poison?

My favorite drink is Bombay Sapphire and pink grapefruit. I'm a beer girl, too, though. Becks is my favorite.

So, you're from Oakville, Ontario. How did you end up in Montreal?

I was actually born in Montreal, but I moved to Oakville when I was twelve or something. I guess it was kind of fun when we were younger growing up, but I could never be there now... big fish in a small pond, I guess.

    I moved to Toronto and hated it. When my lease was up, I decided to come back home. It's so much more laid back in Montreal. It's always a party and the people are friendlier. I love all the old buildings and that you can buy beer at the corner store.

    The winters are cold, but the summers are incredible.

Do you ever meet people from the States who are surprised that you're a Canadian gal? Sometimes I think that it doesn't occur to Americans that Canada has badass, tattooed chicks there too.

I've never had anyone think I was American, but my mom's from The States so I've got duel citizenship. It's pretty sweet!

You seem to get naked quite a bit for photo shoots. Was there ever a time when you were shy?

It depends what the photos are for, but I'd have to say the only person I really get naked for in pictures is Danny [Portieous]. She has a way of making you feel comfortable and beautiful. The pictures are always amazing, tasteful and classy.

    In fact, I got naked for her the first time she shot me! (Laughing) We have been inseparable ever since. She is my number one lady always! I would have been shy with anyone else when I first started, but it doesn't really bother me anymore.

Did you ever think you'd be in magazine spreads, naked or not?

No. Modeling was something I started doing for fun. Hopefully, in ten years I'll have seen the world, gotten an ass load more tattoos, and had kids. I want kids eventually. I'll be the head of the P.T.A! (Laughs) Can you see it?

    Also, I'm starting a clothing line soon: Sara Von Zombie Clothing, so hopefully that will take off for me. I just hope that, wherever I end up, I'm happy and loving life, living each day to its fullest, surrounded by my friends and family.