This month, we caught up with Kristin Tipping ’16 to learn more about her time in the MCAD MFA program, her personal practice, and her recent 2019 MN State Board Artist Initiative Grant! "Kristin Tipping is an asexual graphic artist and comic creator with a master's degree in illustration from Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She is known for her strangely endearing bittersweet work full of fluffy animals, queer feelings, and existential dread." Happing reading! What brought you to MCAD for your MFA? The mentorship aspect of the MCAD MFA program appealed to me. I also liked how self-directed it is. Having that space to just experiment was important to me. How did your art change while you were here at MCAD? My work became a lot more narrative focused. I went from being a visual artist to being a writer who happens to tell stories visually. How has your work evolved since your time at MCAD? I did a lot of short more experimental comics while I was at MCAD. While I still do work like that occasionally, I’ve been enjoying focusing on bigger projects. Congratulations on being awarded a 2019 MN State Board Artist Initiative Grant for Prose! Tell us a little about the project you were awarded for? What are you most excited about? What are some of the challenges you have had to overcome? The project is a graphic novel series called Evil Witch Allie. The series follows a group of queer and troubled kids as they struggle literally and metaphorically to survive growing up in a very small very haunted midwestern town. The grant money will be used for promoting the second volume (which is close to done) and writing the third volume. I’m excited to finally be able to hire a professional editor. My biggest challenge has been balancing the project with my day job. What did you learn from the grant application process? Do you have any advice specifically for other comic artists who are interested in applying for grants for their projects? Make sure that what you’re proposing seems attainable and explain exactly where all the money will be going. Someone who seems competent and reliable is more appealing than someone who has a really cool idea, but none of the details worked out. Also, make sure to take advantage of any resources that could help you write a better application. The Minnesota State Arts Board has a lot of resources that will basically teach you how to apply for their grants. While putting together my application I looked at example applications from past recipients, attended a webinar about the application process, and even got feedback on my proposal from the program officer. What do you love most about Minneapolis? The comics scene here is amazing. This is the first place where I’ve really felt like I’m part of a community. How do you keep challenging yourself in your art? It’s challenging enough on it’s own, to be honest. What is the most helpful piece of advice you’ve ever received? Everyone has a thousand shitty comic panels in them. You have to get them out on paper so you can move on to the good ones. What’s next? I have a picture book called A Book For Sad Pets came out through Uncivilized Books in April. I also plan to table at as many conventions as I can this summer. I’m continuing to post Evil Witch Allie as a webcomic at http://www.evilwitchallie.com/ and should be ready to collect the second volume into a physical book sometime this summer. All images shared with permission © Kristin Tipping 2019 Kristin Tipping Interviewer: Hallie Bahn Illustrator: Yi Wan Categories All Alumni Alumni Spotlight Interview