As you may know if you have visited my other sites, I am an illustration student at the Hartford Art School at the University of Hartford, going into my senior year.
As great as 2D work is, I have always had a passion for sewing and crafting. I keep an updated scrap-book and find a lot of time to craft small accessories out of anything I can get my hands on. Sewing garments and constructing costumes is a thrilling hobby for me on its own, but combined with the performance and modeling aspects of wearing a cosplay, it is absolutely addicting. I can’t stop, and were it not for limited time and funds, I would probably be spending many, many, hours each day making and exhibiting my costume creations.
However, I do make other things as well; quite a few other things in fact! Therefore I urge you to visit my website: Shaunart.net
Why I Cosplay
I enjoy cosplay because it’s artwork that you can wear! You carry it around into the sunlight and open air and let everyone see it easily without the pressures of buying and selling. Cosplay is beautiful 3D representational work that everyone understands and judges easily because there is a reference to base it off of. Its a craft-lover’s project! There’s not so much a creation of a new aestetic taking place, but creativity is in the production of the garment: what materials you use and how you choose to translate elements from animation to real life, etc. You deal with questions of scale, strength, flexibility, functionality, and gravity. It’s like a fantastic puzzle. The challenge: “Duplicate this ambiguous and fanstasic costume under $200 using everyday materials that can be used and assembled in your kitchen.” ❤
How I got into Cosplay:
I learned about cosplay at my first Anime Convention, Anime Boston 2003 when I was 13 years old. I went to participate in Artist Alley, but was so impressed with the con-goers in full costume that I decided to cosplay at my next convention, Connecticon, that summer. (I was InuYasha.) I love arts and crafts and sewing so I immediately fell in love with the craft. I loved the challenges it presented, and the opportunity to become a better seamstress.
My first costume and why?
My first costume was InuYasha because that was my favorite show at the time, and he was my favorite character. I also knew it would be an easy and forgiving costume to sew as a seventh grader with an old sewing machine, no fabric scissors, and no table to work on. The costume didn’t come out too bad actually, and it still fits me, so someday maybe Ill fix it up and wear it again or take pieces from it to make a different costume. The wig was the real tragedy of that story.
My favorite costume:
My new favorite costume is my Maka costume from Anime Boston 2009. It was not easy to make, but I enjoyed each part of it. Make was a costume of firsts for me. First time doing pigtails, first time building a large prop, and first time winning an award (even if it was minor). I was very pleased with the response I got with this costume; the con-goers loved the scythe. ^__^
Most memorable cosplay experience
Okay, so me, and my entire cosplay gang for Chrno crusade were waiting in line at Anime Boston 2006 to meet Greg Ayres (voice of Chrno) and we send *just* our Azmaria up at first, and once he said ‘hi’ to her, we all rushed up behind her (grinning) and he was surprised and exclaimed something like “Whoa its ALL OF YOU.” Then we handed about 10 cameras to the security guard to take a huge group picture and then Greg had to get a few picture of us himself. It was very flattering how excited he seemed to see almost the full cast.
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1 Comment »
where do you live?? i went to king richard fair 2 days ago… i found out about you last night on google when i typed in ‘king richards fair costumes anime’ !!!!! oh yeah, another cool thing is that my name is Seana too… exept spelt different… but you’re very good at making cosplay!!!! bai 🙂