Quinn Blackshere

Order in the court!! Gather round and join the jury for @milwaukeezinefest ‘s panel “Zine Court!” DHere, you will decide which of two local zinesters, Hannah Hallman (@cottna ) or Shy Electron (@shy_electron ), presented a better case for a series of “zine hot takes.” What qualifies as a zine? Do Instagram carousels count as zines? I’m not sure, but you can help decide as the jury (audience) of the court! Make sure not to miss it, 11:30am-12:30pm this Saturday, April 18, at Milwaukee Zine Fest! I will be wearing a dramatic wig as I moderate (be the judge) for the panel, so you better swing by!!!! 👩🏻‍⚖️ Amazing Milwaukee Zine Fest poster by @bearbear.co ❤️

Ever wonder who's behind all this? The MILK (Milwaukee Indie Local Comics) crew is small but we get it done. Meet our staff: @quinnblackshere - one of our founding organizers who handles public relations, and day-of logistics. An artist herself, Quinn has done illustration, comics, and animation. No matter the medium, her work is narrative-driven and often whimsica, but thoughtful. She's also been an organizer for MKE Zinefest, and recently organized the Paper Pals stationary pop-up. @slumberfish - another founding organizer, handing social media, digital communications, and art direction. Her work has been featured in comics anthologies, zines, as well as doing commercial illustrations in the TTRPG space. You may also recognize her from managing a local comic book store. @wilddaggers - our graphic designer and creator of our cowgirl mascot. She's known for her distinctive personal brand of colorful and playful merch and design. @cottna - our fearless leader and founder of MILK. When she's not doing a little bit of everything for the organization, she's working on her third graphic novel. Her other works include Lucky & Scary, The King's Companion, as well as mini-comics featured in various comic anthologies. @kpossibles - our volunteer coordinator who has been with MILK since year one. She's an avid comics and manga fan, with a decade of convention staffing under her belt. She also has freelance lettering experience for various English manga publishers. A very big thanks to the entire crew for all that they do! And a special shout-out to past MILK volunteers and organizers who have helped to make MILK what it is today. We're looking forward to the fifth annual MILK Fest this year 🐮🤠 #milkfest2026 #milk2026 #mkeartists

Happy Pokémon Day to all who celebrate! Pokémon was my first artistic inspiration. My first answer to “what I wanted to be when I grow up” was “I want to create Pokémon!” I think pursuing my art career is still in line with little Quinny’s future wishes 🥹

New Valentine’s Day cards will be available at SNAIL MAIL! Snail Mail is a stationery market at Anodyne this Saturday, Feb 7th, 10am-2pm! I’ll be there selling my stationery, and I’m bringing back my kitty pins too! Come say hi! 😊 Beautiful Snail Mail poster and the Snail Mail market designed + curated by @chandlerhougan !

I’ve been SICK starting off the new year! 😪 wah wah! I’m a week delayed in wanting to show you all my ✨December monthly spread of doodles!✨ New year means new Hobonichi and I looove the feeling of starting off a new planner. (And Hobonichi planners have December included so you can get excited ahead of time yipppeee) I’ve been coughing up a lung while wrapping up setting up my goals in the first few pages 👩‍🏫 Who else is still starting off their new year planners and Hobonichis???

2025 is almost a wrap!! I had a hard time picking out just a handful of slides for this post, but originally I exceeded the 20 image limit! This year was hard, but it also had so many fun adventures, gatherings, artistic collaborations, and learnings! I’m thankful for the love and support that I am lucky to have in my life. I’m thankful for how many times I felt artistically inspired this year. I’m thankful to have seen family and friends I had not seen in far too long! I’m thankful that Marty has companionship again. For me, the New Year creates an opportunity for me to reflect. Thanks 2025, for providing so much good through the muck.

Aahhhh yes, it’s that’s time of the year when we surround ourselves with our own drawings. I’m going to post a more detailed 2025 in review post soon, but in the meantime, I want to celebrate some of this year’s art wins- ⭐️ Got my first children’s books illustration contract! So fun to draw dragons this summer! ⭐️ Made my own stationery merch and organized two stationery pop ups with friends, called @paperpals.stationery ! ⭐️ Celebrated yet another successful @milkcomicfest , this time at @3rdstmarkethall where we had the space to double our artist count! ⭐️ Went to @spxcomics to sell comics with @cottna and @slumberfish ! ⭐️Had the opportunity to go to Design Festa as an attendee ⭐️ Had the mental space and clarity to really sit with what kind of art I want to create in 2026 and beyond I’m hoping things fall into place this upcoming year 😌✨

Happy happy Holidays from our kitty family to yours~ ❤️🐱 Wishing everyone happiness and good health!

Couldn’t make it to Paper Pals Stationery Art Market? Looking to grab my stationery? My stationery is available in my online art shop, OR you can stop by @lionstoothmke and pick it up there! ✨ And while you’re at it, check out more local maker’s comics, zines, and artworks at Lion’s Tooth, as well as many many more goodies! (Or looking to give the gift of an ongoing book/graphic novel subscription? Books are carefully curated by the amazing ladies who own and run Lion’s Tooth each month) ☺️💖

A lil’ photo dump from my recent trip to Japan 💖 Went with my two close friends @milkbreadstudio and Dulcie of the Dulcet Inn! Needless to say, we had a really great time. I’m excited to show you all the work I’m in progress of making- both Japan related and inspired from this trip! In the meantime, I’m really hoping for your support in my new venture in Stationery Marker Pop Ups!! Please follow the account for these pop ups @paperpals.stationery , and hopefully I’ll see you at the next pop up, this Sunday Nov 30th! We have some amazing vendors that will be there with their paper goods! ☺️

Oh! Have you heard about the pop up stationery market called PAPER PALS? And have you already seen and remembered we have our holiday market this upcoming Sunday, November 30th?? Just making sure you’re aware ✨ Come support local for your paper goods needs for the holidays!! ❤️

JUST UNDER ONE WEEK AWAY!!!! Mark your calendars! Join us at @paperpals.stationery , a holiday stationery and paper goods pop up on Sunday November 30th at @esr.info ! ❤️ I’ve been having fun drawing the Paper Pal mascots in different poses for vendor highlight posts. Make sure to follow our new Paper Pals instagram (@paperpals.stationery ) for our vendor highlights leading up to the event! Yahooo, see ya there :) Tell ya friends who like stationery and like to support local artists! It’s a great stop for all things paper to start off the gift buying season!