ENOUGH by Sasha Firpo
This project is a 24 page graphic novel about the experience of being asexual in a predominately sexualized world, through the main character, Jasper’s, eyes. In the story, Jasper’s youth is scraped away in the face of everyone’s sexual interest. As they experience revulsion or indifference to sexual intimacy, the audience will see the resulting rift that arises within their most memorable relationships, and within themselves, which arrives to the connecting thread throughout the story: being “enough” for another person. The story is not through one instance: instead Jasper becomes disembodied in different moments and flashbacks with the visual metaphor of water, or being submerged by it
The project, initially, was planned to be a 24 page graphic novel compiled as a PDF and sent of to blurb to print. As impacted by the Corona Virus, it now lives solely digitally instead of in print but otherwise has not changed much in form. Progress, however, had come to an almost screeching halt, and pages are unfinished. Although all 24 pages are turned in, edits will be added until satisfied.
The project is composed solely in Photoshop, with traditional textures pulled in and brushes replicating traditional media.
The target audience for this project is for preteens to teens, high schoolers, with the capacity to be read by people who are older. Content-wise, however, it is targeted towards other asexuals for more visibility and understanding, as there is a dry spell for that particular viewpoint that I wish to fill.
Some of the most influential media looked at for this project are: Mariko Tamaki’s This One Summer a nd Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me, for her mature stories that look deep into the age group I’m representing, Life is Strange by Dontnod Entertainment, for its surreal teen drama and mood, and Our Dreams at Dusk
In the market, it is most important to put it into the hands of those who will benefit from being seen through these experiences. Links will be provided on social media, and when complete to satisfaction over the summer, hopefully it will be sent out to print. A couple free pages will be shared during Asexual Awareness Week in October, and the PDF will be available on my website. by Yuhki Kamatani, for its poignant representation of ostracization when it comes to being LGBTQ.
Artist Bio
Sasha Firpo is a Portland, Oregon based artist that delves into the well of her experiences in order to explore, process, and heal. Working digitally she incorporates intuitive color, mark-making, and texture. Firpo creates narrative imagery that connects with her audience on a visceral level.
Sasha is a happy cat-owner and has gotten her BFA at The Pacific Northwest College of Art.