E-interview conducted by Kay Heino ’23. 

I have had the pleasure of being in contact with Brian Britigan and was able to conduct a virtual email interview. He was insightful and had many kind words to not only myself but for all. I really enjoyed learning the process in which he makes his illustrations and I hope this interview will help inspire others to try new techniques in making, I know I will.

________________________________________________________________

KAY:

As an introduction can you brief everyone on who you are and what your practice involves?

BRIAN:

My name is Brian Britigan (he/him), I’m an illustrator/artist and a fairly recent transplant to Minneopolis. I primarily work in editorial illustration, creating images for magazines, newspapers, and online publications. I’ve recently been working on some book and animation projects and I create original artwork and posters for gallery exhibitions as well. I also teach in the Continuing Education department and I’m the illustration lead for their summer teen programs at MCAD.

KAY:

As someone who has traveled around the United states , do you find anything from your travels that inspires your practice?

BRIAN:

I’m originally from Iowa but I’ve lived and worked on both coasts (Seattle & New York City) as well as abroad (New Zealand) before moving to Minneapolis in 2019. I think the most inspiring aspect of traveling has been meeting folks working in a range of industries; tabletop and video games in Seattle, children’s books and theater posters in NYC, etc. Living in a variety of places has given me a broader understanding of just how many different ways there are to be a working artist or illustrator.

KAY:

I really enjoy the techniques used when you illustrate , can you talk about what programs or programs you prefer? Do you create on a desktop, laptop or tablet?

BRIAN:

I do 90% of my commissioned work in Procreate on my iPad, with final touches and adjustments made in Photoshop on my desktop computer. But the way I draw digitally is also informed by my experiments with traditional materials, borrowing mark-making and color choices from colored pencil drawings or printmaking techniques.

KAY:

As a MFA student , sometimes I’m daydreaming about the life after. Do you have any advice for  graduating MFA students?

BRIAN:

Completing your MFA isn’t an end-point; it’s just the beginning of your next steps. You’ll need to take the tool set you’ve assembled during your studies and find new and creative ways to apply those skills. Creating good work is only half the battle, you’ll also need to invest time and effort into learning more about the specific contexts where you’d like to see your work and the people who operate in those spaces. Be proactive; be persistent; be polite.