Quick Questions with Twin Cities Cosplayer and Artist Fira Rae

During my time volunteering with the last Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA) convention, I got the chance to meet artist and cosplayer Fira Rae, whom I’d seen frequently at Minnesota conventions since I started attending regularly. Her booth was delightfully pink and covered with characters from franchises like Hazbin Hotel, Monster High, and Undertale, and on the second day of the event, she was cosplaying Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas. I took the opportunity to ask her a few questions about herself and what she does.

Fira Rae at FallCon 2024. Madeleine Vasaly

Cece Olson (TCG): How did you get into cosplay?

Fira Rae: I got into cosplay when I was pretty young. I like to dress up and do makeup, but finding out through artists, a lot of them actually cosplay as well. That kind of introduced me to it around when I was 13.

TCG: And how did you get into art?

Fira Rae: Art is something that I’ve always just kind of loved since I was little. But I’d say around sophomore year of high school is when I started taking it pretty seriously. I think it’s probably because I have a dad who’s into arts and Dungeons & Dragons—he thinks that stuff is cool, so he kind of introduced me to that.

TCG: How would you describe your artistic process?

Fira Rae: My artistic process kind of varies from time to time, but I usually find something that I’m inspired by or reminds me of someone else that I like, and kind of go from there. I like to do digital art, so I sketch something out and do my line art, coloring, and shading all digitally. I do traditional art as well, but not as much—I mostly do it just for the sole purpose of selling them at cons.

TCG: What art program do you use?

Fira Rae: I use Procreate with my iPad!

TCG: What are you looking to for inspiration right now?

Fira Rae: A lot of nostalgia! Like Monster High and My Little Pony. I like that kind of stuff. Video games and TV shows that I enjoy as well. And then I also try to get into things that my friends and other people I know are into.

TCG: What would you suggest for others trying to get into art or vending at cons?

Fira Rae: Don’t be afraid. Don’t let it intimidate you, because I was pretty scared getting into this. And I’m a procrastinator, so I put off things that I get nervous about. But just go for it. Ask questions, go to cons and talk to people, make connections, and it’ll be good.

Fira Rae Art

You can find out more about Fira Rae, including announcements of what events she is vending at and what she’s selling, on Instagram, TikTok, and her website, FiraRaeArt.com.