Why I Do Mash-Up Cosplays

Ninja Daredevil - Original photo: 16 Degrees Studios

In the past few months, I have found myself leaning more towards mash-up cosplays (ie taking two things from different areas of pop culture and putting them together) mostly because while there are probably a dozen characters I would want to cosplay as, I personally find more of a creative satisfaction in bringing in two ideas that wouldn't normally go together, but would be kind of interesting to see nonetheless. Case in point:

Thorio and Luiki (Thor/Mario and Luigi/Loki)

Luiki and Thorio, Mario Brothers Mash-Up

Rockabilly Green Lantern

Original photo: 16 Degrees Studios

Disco Fete (Boba Fett)

Hip Hoptimus Prime (Optimus Prime)

My brain works in really strange ways probably most of the time. I see something, I plan out in my head, then it becomes a reality.  It's like a bunch of gears in my brain are working over-time to justify this really bizarre idea that in turn, ends up working better than I expected. As someone once said, "it's so crazy, it might just work!". I feel that every time I look at a project in front of me, that is my constant mantra and reminder that by all accounts, the mish-mash of the two worlds cannot work but they must! For the sake of my brain, it HAS to work.  Though I remain optimistic for like, 90% of the time, I can have a moment or two where I doubt the idea, but I find that I have to power through because in the end, it comes alive. The mash-up has worked.  From there, when I get to so show it off to everyone and the reaction is great and welcoming, it makes me feel awesome. All the work is worth it, not just for myself, but I made someone smile and someone else go, "Wait...why does...wait. WAIT. OHHHHHHHHHH! NICE!"

It's why I do what I do.

Cosplay has become this new form of creative expression for me that kind of came out of left field.  Two years ago, I would have never thought I would do something like this, let alone find the same level of satisfaction that I do for my other artistic endeavors. It's surreal and kind of awesome.  I will continue to come up with the mash-up ideas and while some are more challenging then others, I see the end and get it done.

Stay tuned...