Introducing The Cosplay Advice Column

Hey Everyone,

My name is Shauna, and I am an illustrator, crafter, and costume-maker. I have been cosplaying and attending conventions since 2003 at age 13. I am currently 22. I started out in Artists Alleys, but quickly changed my con focus to hallway cosplay. Though I have won some small costume awards, I do not actively compete in cosplay competitions at conventions. I am a self-taught seamstress and crafts-person and have experience working with wigs, PVC, leather, metal, craft-foam, all-manner of paint, glue and fabric.

I am currently a cosplay correspondent and reporter for Nerd Caliber, as well as a full time student, finishing my BFA in Illustration this May. I also blog and manage my own portfolio website.

Now that you know a little bit about me, you may be wondering what is this place, and why am I telling you these things!? Well, I’m starting a new cosplay blogging project in collaboration with Nerd Caliber to answer the cosplay community’s burning questions.

My hope is for this to be an interactive blogging experience where the community will dictate what I talk about and report on. If you have questions about anything cosplay related (from construction, to posing, to etiquette) direct them here and we will find you an answer! I don’t for one second claim to know everything about cosplay, but if I can’t answer your question myself, chances are that I know someone, or have access to someone who does, and I will do my best to get you an answer!

Another exciting feature of this blog will be celebrity cosplayer interviews. We’ll be asking them specific questions about their craft in order to help you cosplay better.

Remember, there are no dumb questions. I will answer any question pertaining to any area and level of cosplay and con-life.

Why should you trust me with your questions? Because I’m just like you; I am a well-rounded, passionate fan who cosplays for fun. I have been around the convention block more than once and have met all sorts of people and experiences along the way. I also have the added knowledge of being classically trained as an artist/illustrator; I am expert on color, proportion and styling. I am also trained in make-up art and hair-piece construction, and am starting an internship in a theatre costume shop in the immediate future. I’ve spent time on a stage in front of a live audience, and I know a thing or two about fitness and increasing your body awareness to help you carry your costume better. I know how to use a fancy camera and have been professionally trained in photoshop

I don’t cosplay professionally and have plenty of questions of my own. This blog is going to be a learning experience for me as well, so whether you have been cosplaying for twenty years or you’re just getting started, I think that you’ll find some very entertaining and informative stuff here, so check back often, I’ll be posting once a week.

If you’re interested, you can view all of my work cosplay and not, through my website at http://shaunart.net

Thanks for reading!