#conbravo spotlight

[conbravoofficial]

Our May Spotlight is Artist Corky Lunn!

Check out the full interview and don't forget to apply here: http://conbravoofficial.tumblr.com/spotlight

1. How did you become interested in art?

As a kid I loved drawing all the time. Then I became obsessed with tv shows and video games like Sailor Moon and Pokémon, so I started drawing all my favourite characters and creatures. I can't remember a time that I didn't enjoy drawing.

2. What's your favourite type of art to create and why (illustrations, sculptures, etc.)?

I draw a lot of illustrations to sell at conventions, but I've recently been tinkering in creating designs for apparel and bags, which I've been having a blast with! It's really rewarding to see your artwork in the real world instead of just on a wall or attached to a backpack.

3. What's your favourite art to date that you've done and why?

I love crossover art, so my favourite would have to be my print of Kiki's Delivery Service crossed over with the Canada Post logo. I love how simple and cute it is. I've had customers from all over the world love it too! I was so happy to hear someone bought the postcard version of it to use as an actual postcard and send it to a friend in Japan.

4. What's a dream piece of art you'd like to create?

I'd love to have a line of apparel of my own original designs, not just fanart. I own a lot of nerdy shirts and I think it would be a lot of fun to design some.

5. Besides art, what else do you like to do in your spare time?

Definitely play video games! I've really been enjoying my boyfriend’s VR games and I always have my 3DS on me when I need to relax with some Kirby's Dream Land or Pokémon Sun. And a lot of baking. I love treating friends with edible gifts too.

6. What art do you have planned for the future?

I started creating metal enamel pins last year from some of my favourite nerdy things, and I've love to create a series that are an original design. I have a very large folder of inspiration at home, I just need to sit down and start! And I've created a couple fun nerdy patterns I think would look great as a scarf or bag.

7. Any tips for anyone who wants to get into art?

Firstly, draw what inspires you and makes you happy. Secondly, (and I'm sure this has been said before) but just draw. Find something you enjoy making, and go for it! Don't be afraid. In the famous words of a green master "Do or do not, there is no try."

[conbravoofficial]

January's ConBravo! Spotlight is Kingz Court! Check out the full interview and don't forget to apply here: http://conbravoofficial.tumblr.com/spotlight.

1. How did you become interested in cosplaying?

I first got into cosplaying when I went to my first anime convention back in 2007. I had an idea of what it was like, and I felt that my first time wouldnt be as good if I didn't cosplay. Which segways into question number two lol.

2. What was the first character you cosplayed as and why?

The first character I chose to cosplay was Sora from the Kingdom Hearts video game series, his Kingdom Hearts 2 outfit specifically. I had been a huge fan of the series since it game out in 2002, combining two other sources that I'm heavily invested in, Disney, and Final Fantasy. I thought it would be most fitting as people in my school knew me AS the Kingdom Hearts guy, so why not cosplay as my favourite Keyblade-wielding hero?

3. What's your favourite cosplay to date that you've done and why?

I've enjoyed all the cosplays I've done so far, but for me, the one that stands out the most and that I've had the most fun in was anytime I've cosplayed Vanitas from Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep. {SPOILER} While bearing a striking resemblance to Sora, Vanitas has this "cool guy" yet sinister feel to him, and I love emulating that combination, as well as walking around a convention with a 6'5" Keyblade and having people side me awesome comments and remarks as I we pass one another, or getting stopped for a picture every few feet

4. What's a dream cosplay you'd like to do?

Aside from Kingdom Hearts being my first cosplay love, I've always been invested in the Power Rangers series, and I recently got BACK into it last summer, and now, Power Rangers is on a pretty close level to me as Kingdom Hearts is. That said, a dream cosplay of mine that I would LOVE to cosplay the Triassic Red Ranger from Power Rangers Dino Thunder, the Titanium Ranger from Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue, and the Red Super Megaforce Ranger from Power Rangers Super Megaforce. I would also love to make my own sort of Kingdom Hearts "Knight" that wields many Keyblades, or even an armored Terra from Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep. Too many dreams! But they will soon be reality!

5. Besides cosplay, what else do you like to do in your spare time?

Other than cosplaying, I'm also an avid gamer, mostly sticking to the J/RPG and arcade fighter genres, which I play when I have time at home. As well as I'm an illustrator, trying to get my name out there in the art world, and as tough as it is, I'm not giving up one bit. But what takes up the next most of my time, aside from cosplaying, is the time I dedicate to my musical group, Fandom Musicals, of which, I am co-founder. Fandom Musicals, parodies nerd culture, pop culture, and anything that has well-known relevance. That said, we've put on many full-length productions, including Fandom Hearts (a parody musical of the first Kingdom Hearts game), Star Explorers (which parodies the sci-fi genre as a whole), and our newest adition, Frost Bite (a parody on zombie apocalypses). As well as we write and perform one-off sketches and songs for various variety shows we perform at local conventions. And considering that every member within Fandom Musicals is a huge nerd of some extent, no "nerd/geek" fandom is safe from us; we will parody it all!

Fandom Musicals FB page: https://www.facebook.com/fandommusicals

Fandom Musicals Youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/FandomMusicals

6. What cosplays do you have planned for the future?

There are so many characters I would still love to portray! The Triassic Red Ranger, the Titanium Lightspeed Rescue ranger, the Supermegaforce Red Ranger, all within the realm of Power Rangers at least. I've also been itching to cosplay a few Final Fantasy characters; Zack Fair from Final Fantasy VII, Firion's EX Burst Mode from Dissidia: Final Fantasy/duodecim, as well as redo my Noel Kriess from Final Fantasy XIII-2 and make it look moreso like his variation in Lighting Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, Rinzler from Tron: Legacy, 15 Year-Old Lambo with his Cambio Forma from Hitman REBORN!, Ragna the Bloodedge from the Blazblue games, and Sho Minamimoto's Noise form from The World Ends With You, just to name more than a few lol

7. Any tips for anyone who wants to get into cosplaying?

If I have ANY tips for a newcomer, it's these; don't get discouraged, don't let your skill level stop you; we all start somewhere, dont be afraid to ask others for help; I've been doing this for about 7 years, and I STILL ask for assistance every so often, and I'm always learning new tricks along the way. Don't compare yourself to others; we all have different skill levels and abilities, so if at first you don't succeed, try again. Or take a break, and come back to it. As well as a personal piece of advice; RESEARCH WAY IN ADVANCE. Nothing halts progress like finding out you have to buy an extraneous piece just when you're at the 90% mark of a costume/prop.

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Noctic - Red Leclerc  Aladdin - Ailes Noir Cosplay Photography Red Hood - Ailes Noi Cosplay Photography Vanitas - Droo Chin

[conbravoofficial]

December's ConBravo! Spotlight is Elemental Photography! Check out the full interview and don't forget to apply here: http://conbravoofficial.tumblr.com/spotlight.

1. How did you become interested in photography?

I started out photographing my friends because there weren't many photographers taking photos, especially nice ones, at our local cons. I was insanely jealous of what I was seeing on cosplay.com back in the day, and wanted to show that us Canadians had AWESOME costumes and conventions too. I organized picnics and photoshoots just to take photos, and once I started, I found I enjoyed it even more than cosplaying.

2. What sort of stuff did you shoot when you were starting out?

Everything! I really didn't have anything specific in mind per se, I just found my friends and shot whatever they wore, and attended cons and shot whatever caught my eye. I spend a lot of time trying to emulate photographers who's work I admired, and really found my own style that way. Some of my favourite early shoots would be the ANBU Naruto and DBZ shoots I did at Anime North 2008.

3. What's your favorite type of shoot and why?

I absolutely LOVE shooting horror. I think it works with my style really well - my love of shooting wide, harsh strobe lights and long exposures and really playing with post processing. I love making things creepy, messy, and scary. The funniest thing is I really can't do horror or even suspense in media. I have to play minecraft with the monsters off, for goodness sakes! I am a total coward.

4. Is there a dream shoot you'd like to do?

Motoko Kusanagi at the top of a building, preferably in Tokoyo, shot from a helicopter (you did say dream) or Kim Possible skydiving.

Slightly more realistic dreams include shooting in the Mansfield Reformatory or an abandoned asylum for some horror work.

5. Besides Photography, what else do you like to do in your spare time?

I have TOO MANY HOBBIES. I play video games and board games, I write, I make hats and cosplay, I'm learning how to tat lace and I do needle felt, I'm working on a CMV (cosplay music video) and have approximately one million comics I need to read.

6. What shoots do you have planned for the future?

No specific shoots, but general ideas to do a Madoka set, as well as some ideas for Welcome to Night Vale I'm excited to try out.

7. Any tips for anyone who wants to get into photography?

Practice. Cosplay photography is different from other types of photography, so keep that in mind as you learn and study. Don't expect to be great when you begin, because like any art/skill it takes practice. Learn how to talk to people and direct models, this is the most important thing. Study work and photos you like and emulate them, and you'll find your own style and what works best for you. And don't expect being a photographer to make you famous, or make you friends. It is a great way to break the ice and meet people, but everyone I know who picked up the camera hoping it would make them friends has been disappointed.

[conbravoofficial]

Hey folks, ConBravo! Spotlight is accepting applications for 2015.

You can apply here: http://conbravoofficial.tumblr.com/spotlight

P.S. If you've already applied and would like to reapply, that's fine. We'll look at your new application.

Photo Credit: http://paulhillier.tumblr.com/

[conbravoofficial]

October's ConBravo! Spotlight is artist thingsthatiwontfinish! Check out the full interview and don't forget to apply here: http://conbravoofficial.tumblr.com/spotlight.

1. How did you become interested in art?

I was first interested in art when I was 9, and saw another child's Pokemon cards at school. I was instantly hooked, and just seeing the designs made me want to create my own! I stopped drawing for about a year after that, but then was introduced to the Gorillaz and that was enough inspiration to make me want to continue drawing forever.

2. What's your favourite type of art to create and why (illustrations, sculptures, etc.)?

I'd have to say that my favourite thing to do is digitally paint large illustrations. Although it takes up a lot of my time, I always feel like the end result is worth it and I find it really relaxing. Colouring is my favourite part of the creative process, so I always look forward to it!

3. What's your favourite art to date that you've done and why?

This is a really hard question! I always feel like my newest piece (most of the time) is my recent favourite. So right now, I guess my recent Sailor Moon piece would be my favourite!

4. What's a dream piece of art you'd like to create?

I would honestly love to design some sort of vinyl figurine or plush. I don’t mean on my own, I mean with an actual company! That would definitely be a dream come true!

5. Besides art, what else do you like to do in your spare time?

When I’m not drawing, I’m constantly looking for new music to listen to, and I’m bit of a retro gamer, as I love revisiting my Sega systems. I also enjoy watching various documentaries, and animated movies depending on my mood.

6. What art do you have planned for the future?

I've been planning a comic collaboration with a close friend for a little less than a year, and I would like to have a teaser comic available sometime in the fall! He is writing it, and I’ll be illustrating it. I hope to have a few visual or short comic zines out sometime soon as well.

7. Any tips for anyone who wants to get into art?

Never stop drawing! Even when you feel like you aren't drawing at your best, keep at it because the worst thing you could do to yourself is to stop.

[conbravoofficial]

September's ConBravo! Spotlight is cosplayer authenticem! Check out the full interview and don't forget to apply here: http://conbravoofficial.tumblr.com/spotlight. 1. How did you become interested in cosplaying? When the 7th Harry Potter movie came out, at the midnight premiere my friend and I ran into people with amazing costumes. They were so incredibly cool since they totally embodied the characters they were portraying. The next year when the 8th movie came out, we realised we wanted to be just like those other people we had met, so we came up with a plan to dress up, just like them. After we got such an amazing response from other fans, I looked into this further and found out that cosplay was a legitimate hobby that a lot of people did, and for different shows, movies and games too. Ever since then I've been hooked. 2. What was the first character you cosplayed as and why? So my first character I brought to life was Fred Weasley in honour of the Harry Potter midnight premiere. I love comedic characters, and so does my friend who was George with me. It was easy enough for a first timer, honestly it was only one trip to Value Village! 3. What's your favourite cosplay to date that you've done and why? I would have to say my favourite costume I've done is Arkham City Harley Quinn. I've invested so much time and effort into making this costume (with help from my mother) and I've had so many great experiences with it. One time someone gave me a chocolate pudding because Harley always says that she wants her puddin' (in reference to the Joker). I've gotten fantastic feedback on this costume and I've met incredible people through it. Plus Harley has been one of my favourite batman villains for such a long time that running around as her makes me happy. 4. What's a dream cosplay you'd like to do? Vi from League of Legends is such a cool but intimidating costume. Have you seen those gauntlets? I would probably take a whole year to work on those beasts. Although, I would be so happy with myself if I could pull it off. 5. Besides cosplay, what else do you like to do in your spare time? I play sports like rugby, track and I dance. I enjoy being athletic. But at the same time, I'm a lazy bum that likes to play video games for hours at a time until the battery runs out. I easily own over 150 games on many different consoles, but somehow I still manage to work on costumes with all of these distractions. 6. What cosplays do you have planned for the future? For conbravo this summer I'm working on Mafia Miss Fortune from League of Legends, Stocking Anarchy from Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt, and a third secret costume that you'll have to see at the con . As for my list of total future costumes I want to do, it's so long that it'd take years to tell you. 7. Any tips for anyone who wants to get into cosplaying? Plan out your costumes! Pick someone you want to cosplay, and break them down layer by layer, even the underwear! It makes creating the costume a lot easier and it'll help you with managing your time better so you can finish the cosplay before the con, and not in a hotel room beforehand. --- Fem!Scout - Impossiblypossible Photography Lady Loki - Cosplayers Canada Peter Pan - Amaleigh Photography Harley Quinn - Zandragon Designs

[conbravoofficial]

February's ConBravo! Spotlight is Cosplayer Amaleigh!

Check out the full interview below and don't forget to apply by clicking here.

1.      How did you become interested in Cosplaying?

I've always been interested in anime and manga but nothing much came from it until my older sister went to her first convention with her high school anime club. With the support of my parents(who were huge trekkies, I mean I have baby photos dressed up in Star Trek costumes) and the great experience my sister had, I went the very next year. Ever since then, I've loved Cosplay.

2.      What was the first character you Cosplayed as and why?

Kagome from Inuyasha was my first Cosplay. My mom helped me make it to match my friends as a whole group. Inuyasha is one of my favourite anime and at the time, it was airing on good old YTV so it was easily accessible. Although it wasn't the best Cosplay, I have great memories from wearing it.

3.      What's your favourite Cosplay to date that you've done and why?

What a hard choice! I think my favourite to date is either Supergirl because I love being a strong female superhero, or Legolas because Lord of the Rings is one of my favourite trilogies. It's really a toss up between the two!

4.      What's a dream Cosplay you'd like to do?

BlackRose from .hack

5.      Besides Cosplay, what else do you like to do in your spare time?

I'm a photographer as more of a career as well as a hobby. Aside from that, I enjoy drowning myself in feels from various shows and anime as well as play video games.

6.      What Cosplays do you have planned for the future?

In the next little while, I have a lot planned. Daenerys and Margaery from Game of Thrones, Blake from RWBY, Chihiro from Spirited Away, Anna from Frozen, Misty from Pokemon and a few others as well. I'm sure the list will grow as conventions come round!

7.      Any tips for anyone who wants to get into Cosplaying?

Take your time with the costume so you can create something you're really proud of. Give yourself time to work on it. Try not to procrastinate and end up pulling the costume together the day before the con(but let's be honest, we've all done it at some point). And overall? Have fun. Keep the play in Cosplay.

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Photo Credits: Kim Possible: http://henrickson.deviantart.com Supergirl: http://paulhillier.com Korra: http://everage.deviantart.com Legolas: http://facebook.com/natleacosplay