Warrior Pocahontas in the Woods

Wow, I am so behind on posts. I took these shots over a month ago in San Diego at a cosplay meetup , and gotta say this was the perfect spot to take Pocahontas photos. Everywhere was so "nature-y" and beautiful that I really felt at home. I just wish it hadn't been such a pain to find parking! The same time this cosplay photoshoot was happening there was also a cherry blossom festival and wedding! So, you can imagine the parking lot situation. I think it took me 30 minutes to just out of the parking lot so I could park across the street from the park. Lesson learned, arrive on time and know your surrondings before arriving.

While taking these photos I met some awesome other cosplayers, and ran into them again at Wondercon (those pictures coming soon).  But it just made me realize the how amazing the way cosplay can bring people together. I probably would never have met these people, but I am so glad I did, and hope to run into them again soon.

So, onto my actual cosplay. My cosplay is based on Sadyna's version of Pocahontas where she is a wild warrior (go check out her other artwork as well). When I first saw her artwork, I knew I had to cosplay it at some point, but was so intimidated because other cosplayers had already done it. Then I realized, I shouldn't be intimidated, and just do it! And I am actually really pleased with how it came out! I was actually so pleased I wore it to the first day of Wondercon, I just wish I could figure out a way to stop my wig from tangling so much (untangling it is a pain, and causes it to shed *tear*). If anyone knows the secret of preventing wigs from tangling, please let me know. :D

I will be taking a break from cosplay until Anime Expo in July, but hope to have a post in between now and then discussing my journeys in cosplay. I would also love to hear from other cosplayers about their journey, so please chime in! I also hope to get back onto a more normal posting schedule now that I am done traveling (can't wait to share my pics from my most recent trip-if you follow me on Instagram you would already know where I went). Until then, TTFN ta ta for now.

Obi Korra Nobi at Anime LA

Woohoo! Only one week behind in posting! I got my pictures from Anime LA up in a reasonable amount of time! Pretty awesome!

As I said, these are pics from Anime LA at the end of January. I was looking for a con to go to because I suddenly felt very inspired during December and just had to make this cosplay come to life as soon as possible. And you may ask, where the hell did the idea for this weird mashup come from? Well, after watching the Star Wars The Force Awakens  of course! I loved the whole thing and knew I wanted my next cosplay to involve Star Wars somehow, so I decided to combine one of my favorite kick butt characters with one of the greatest series in the galaxy to create: Obi Korra Nobi. Plus, Korra is trying to bring balance between the human world and spirit world, and in Star Wars the Jedi are all about bringing balance to the Force. So, I made a warrior for both universes, who will bring balance and unity.

I was so proud of this mashup that I even got a little drawing commissioned by one of the artist in Artist Alley (Sebasun - go check out his artwork, it's amazingly cute!). I plan to get it framed soon. Plus I got to go to the Star Wars photo meet up and had a blast talking to fellow Jedi and avoiding the Sith (jk).

And I have to say I was super impressed by this con because almost 40% of attendees were in cosplay! It was amazing to see so many other cosplayers and their creations. I wish I had taken some pics with my fellow cosplayers (I did get one with a group of Avatar The Last Airbender, who were amazing, but wish I had gotten more). And definite shout out to my friend who was so understanding and walked around with me taking a bunch of pictures (I just like to have evidence of all the hard work I put into my creations). And another shout out to my other friend who made my lightsaber (she also made my Maleficent staff, she's just amazeballs).

I am already starting my next cosplays for Wondercon and am already freaking out a little about the amount of work I have to do, but excited at what the final product will be! Until then, TTFN ta ta for now.

Lana! Lana! Lana! at Long Beach Comic Con

Another con, another cosplay (that I have done before). Seriously, being Lana is so much fun! Whenever I am Lana I get yelled out so much! And I don't think I have heard "Danger Zone" so much in life! And I loved it!

I really like Long Beach Comic Con because it is such a small con and it's crazy the amount of people you run into! I ran into Thomas of SoCalCosplayfoto (https://www.facebook.com/socalcosplayfoto) and did a quick shoot with him! Which led to other photographers wanting pictures (if you happen to see a picture of me floating on the internet, let me know!). Plus I was in a video with Nerd Reactor and Archer (aka mynameisnotbrucecosplay): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5cYL08gfj0 .

Chatting with other cosplayers and going to panels is always such a blast. I love hearing how other people made their cosplay, and what inspired them to do it. Like, meeting probably one of the best 10th Doctor copslayers, left me a little star struck (and listening for the Tardis). I mean, seeing a Morrigan cosplay from Wicked and Divine was awesome! As well as seeing,  Over the Garden Wall, Wirt and Greg, cosplay (they were my favorite young cosplayers). Plus watching the Cosplay competition at the end, was actually super impressed by some people's innovation! The only awkward thing was walking back to my car in this cosplay...let's just say this dress is very short, and people are not always so nice. Until next time, TTFN ta ta for now!

Esmeralda Wandering D23

I'm sorry for the million pictures! I know I always say that, but seriously I'm sorry for the like 50 pictures, I was just so excited about this cosplay. I really feel like I nailed Esmeralda (but I know I could do better).

The second day of D23 was a complete world wind. When my friend and I arrived the second day we were greeted by a ridiculous line, and the sad news that the Star Wars panel had filled up (the previous night, so absolute no chance of gettign in). So, I suggested we go sit inside under the air conditioning and just go to the con later, and my friend was bold and walked up to door and...lo and behold, the door was unlocked! We were able to just walk into the con and bypass all the lines. It was amazing! Getting early meant fewer people on the floor, meaning more space to wander and fewer lines to deal with! Because there were less lines it meant that my friend and I were able to do a lot of stuff we were not able to do the first day (the Target gif creator, Marvel green screen photo-op, seeing the Moana exhibit, Zootopia setup, preview of Shanghai Disney, Pandora/Avatar Land for Disney World, etc.). It was great.

I also got to see the Star Wars Jedi Academy, which was freakin adorable. Little kids pretending to be jedis and "fight" Darth Vader and Darth Maul was too cute. After watching the adorableness, my friend and I decided to wander the floor and take some pictures. And while outside attempting to take a picture, guess who I ran into...Disney Legend Floyd Norman, one of the creators/animators/writers of Hunchback of Notre Dame! It was amazing to meet one of the creators of one of your favorite Disney movies, while you happen to be cosplaying as one of his characters! Meeting him and having him tell you, "You are about the size of Demi Moore when she came into record", was probably the highlight of the con! Absolutely amazing.

Another highlight was meeting a DarkWing Duck, who had a violin and was playing it. When I went up to her to compliment her playing she started playing the main theme from Hunchback of Notre Dame! It was such a rush to hear the music from the movie you are cosplaying while you are cosplaying! I know it might be lame to some, but I enjoyed it immensley.

While D23 was absolutely amazing, I must say it was one of the most tiring cons I have ever been to, but since it's every two years I could see myself going back (but I think only one day). Well, that took me forever to get posted, but finally did! So happy! Can't wait for Long Beach Comic Con this weekend! Until then, TTFN ta ta for now.

MegaMan Sailor Pluto Mashup at Anime Expo!!!

 

Again...SO MANY PICTURES!!! But wow! I am so proud of this cosplay, mostly becuase I actually finished it! First, this cosplay was inspired by artist ShadowMaster23 on deviantart, please check out her art, it's amazing. This cosplay seemed cursed, everything that could go wrong went wrong. My staff heart broke...twice! I had issues with getting everything to work together and a wig that didn't want to not tangle. But! It all worked out in the end and I am so proud! This cosplay took up so much time and effort and to see it come together in these pictures only encourages me to do more cosplay (plus encouragement from other cosplayers-keep reading)! Before moving on, I would like to thank my friend who was an absolutely amazing human being who helped me get everything on, and helped me throughout the day to keep everything on. You know who you are, and you are amazing.

So, Anime Expo 2015 was so much fun! I havent' been to Anime Expo since it moved to the LA Convention Center, and wow...so many....people. This convention has really grown in recent years, and it warms my heart to see more people embracing nerd culture, and not being ashamed! I know so many people used be ashamed for liking anime, so it's nice to know I'm not the only one binge watching Moribito and reading Tokyo Ghoul (don't watch the second season of the anime, so bad). Plus the swag at Anime Expo was bomb! I got some super cute Luna stockings (expect to see them on the blog soon!), some artwork (one was free because I was dressed as a Sailor Moon character), and a picture of my coslay. Plus I saw a super cute Luna purse (that Sailor Moon is actually holding in one of my pictures) and ordered it on Ebay, expect that soon too. Anime Expo also had a whole section where you could do small drawings and write nice messages-as you can see one girl went all out. My drawing looked like nothing in comparisons to hers (I drew my friend and myself as Kiki). There was also a section at Anime Expo just for Cosplayers! They had set up backdrops for photos, a cosplay repair station, and a place you could get a 360 view of your cosplay (here's mine: http://qlqlexpo.com/frame/T5TC-7YE7)

Anyways, being Sailor Pluto was so fun! I ran into so many Sailor Moon groups, and it just made me wish I had a group to cosplay with! All the Sailor Moons were super sweet, and the other Sailor Pluto I met was incredible (follow her on instagram at _bambie.b). I also met the amazingly talented and kind Vividvivka, dressed as Vincent, who walked up to me and asked "Did you make your cosplay? Is this your first one?" "Yes, I made this. And this is my first big cosplay." I said. "Wow! You did an amazing job! If you have any questions on cosplaying, you can message me on Facebook or Instagram. I love helping others with their cosplay." I know this be lame, but I was so touched by someone as talented as Vividvivka coming up to me to compliment me, really encouraged me and made feel so much better about my cosplay (I was having major issues with keeping the thigh boot portion on my actual thigh).

I'm sorry, I've started to ramble. But I just wanted to express the love the cosplay community has for each other and how a little compliment can really lift your spirits. Cosplayers unite!

TTFN, ta ta for now.

Lauren

Go Check Out My Interview at Black Nerd Problems

 

GUYS! I did an interview with Black Nerd Problems recently and am so proud to share it with you! I am a little behind in posting this to my blog (was traveling recently), but I would appreciate it so much if you went to check out my interview! Plus make sure to follow Black Nerd Problems online and in social media (Twitter, Instagram, etc.). They are a great group of people who really care about your inner nerd!

Here is a ink to the interview.

Thank you again! TTFN, ta ta for now.

Lauren