I applied for a residency at the Maison des Auteurs (MDA), hoping to gain overseas exposure and attend the Angoulême International Comics Festival. I wanted to explore different art styles and search for inspiration through new life experiences abroad. During my stay at the MDA, I had the opportunity to talk to and engage with artists from other countries. I found the exchange of ideas and experiences rewarding and helpful for my own creative process. Another challenge was that I had very limited access to art materials during my residency in France. Most of the traditional tools available to me were not what I was used to. Learning to adapt to unfamiliar tools made creating art more challenging but also exciting.

Interaction with Other Artists at the MDA
Nearly 90% of the artists at the MDA speak English. Socializing with peer artists largely depends on a person's social and language skills. Many MDA alumni choose to stay in Angoulême after their residency and set up studios here. Many graduates from the nearby European School of Visual Arts (ÉESI) also choose to stay. Together they form a community of artists. Through conversations with these artists, I learned how the local European comic art market operates, how comic artists submit their work and get it published, and about comic art in general.

How the MDA Helps
When attending the Angoulême International Comics Festival, I found that being an artist-in-residence at the MDA is a valuable credential. Many artists write emails to editors before the festival to arrange meet-ups. Some even ask editors to come to the MDA. I met a few external visitors who came to the MDA to interview artists-in-residence. Director Pili also took part in these events and interviews. Being a resident at the MDA definitely has its advantages. I highly encourage future residents to make good use of this credential and plan ahead before the festival.

Many MDA members are well-established comic artists with published works, which means that they have already achieved a certain level of recognition in the commercial market. They come from all over the world. I highly recommend reaching out to them. My advice for future applicants is to have a good command of English. It would also be very helpful to have spent some time overseas, such as studying abroad or participating as an exhibitor at an international event.

Author: JULAI
Edited: Brix