Self reflection and internal debate
So I've been debating with myself recently over starting back up my cosplay and modeling site. It's no secret that I love wearing costumes, and I've been modeling on the side for extra living income. I've just gotten Indigo up and running again, I'm working part time with http://doublecluepon.com/, and I've getting some great freelance jobs. On top of that I really want to plan out a lot of cons next year to promote Indigo and sell books at. So it's not as if my plate isn't full enough with trying to be an artist. However, cosplay and modeling is also a huge part of my life. I've thought many times about just giving it up all together because of the time it takes to put together quality costumes, and I just can't. I've been doing it since I was, oh, 14?
I've really been wanting to put together a full site so I can get more modeling jobs and take it to a more professional level. When I say this, I mean get paid more for doing more creative, alternative shoots. I never intend to be a full-time professional catalogue/runway/actress/ad model. ugh no, never and forever.
My biggest fear was that my audience and fellow artist wouldn't respect me if I ran with both aspects of my creativity. That my comic and drawing would be thought less of if they saw me taking pretty and outrageous photos. As if to think, "Oh she's pretty, so her art can't possibly be that good." But I guess that's just a risk I'm going to have to take. Because dammit, I work very hard on my costumes. Tell me that staying up till 4 am 5 am sewing vinyl bodysuits, then hand stitching 12 yards of chain isn't dedication. Tell me I'm stupid after I figure out how to make silicon molds and cast epoxy resin props. And since when have I been one to worry so much about what others think of me?
I also never cosplay any character that I don't love hands down for one reason or another. I never dress up as something just for attention. You all know I forever love Bayonetta, draw fanart, played the shit out of the game, and obsessed over it for nearly two years. I cosplayed her because I love the character and design, not because she's overtly sexy and I thought I'd get a lot of attention. I know it's silly to say this, but a lot of attention makes me uncomfortable.
Ultimately, modeling is not something I want to do forever. Art is, so it comes first when it comes tome time/money/resources. But I'm still a giant goofball and I still love making costumes and I'm going to keep doing it for a number of years.
I've been contemplating http://www.queenriot.com for the name. I think it suits what I'm going for? To keep positive, these are what I really want to work on in the future, along with some original designs:
I've really been wanting to put together a full site so I can get more modeling jobs and take it to a more professional level. When I say this, I mean get paid more for doing more creative, alternative shoots. I never intend to be a full-time professional catalogue/runway/actress/ad model. ugh no, never and forever.
My biggest fear was that my audience and fellow artist wouldn't respect me if I ran with both aspects of my creativity. That my comic and drawing would be thought less of if they saw me taking pretty and outrageous photos. As if to think, "Oh she's pretty, so her art can't possibly be that good." But I guess that's just a risk I'm going to have to take. Because dammit, I work very hard on my costumes. Tell me that staying up till 4 am 5 am sewing vinyl bodysuits, then hand stitching 12 yards of chain isn't dedication. Tell me I'm stupid after I figure out how to make silicon molds and cast epoxy resin props. And since when have I been one to worry so much about what others think of me?
I also never cosplay any character that I don't love hands down for one reason or another. I never dress up as something just for attention. You all know I forever love Bayonetta, draw fanart, played the shit out of the game, and obsessed over it for nearly two years. I cosplayed her because I love the character and design, not because she's overtly sexy and I thought I'd get a lot of attention. I know it's silly to say this, but a lot of attention makes me uncomfortable.
Ultimately, modeling is not something I want to do forever. Art is, so it comes first when it comes tome time/money/resources. But I'm still a giant goofball and I still love making costumes and I'm going to keep doing it for a number of years.
I've been contemplating http://www.queenriot.com for the name. I think it suits what I'm going for? To keep positive, these are what I really want to work on in the future, along with some original designs:
