Cosplayer Review: TOKO

Heya. 

I run across many awesome artists, cosplayers, prop builders, as well as other fantastic folk that I feel compelled to share.  Many of them spend countless hours crafting costumes, props, and art.  They post them on their various sites and then sweep up, observe their lessened bank accounts and go through their day only to return with some new hair-brained idea that sends them scouring the net for a new prop tutorial, or maybe a fabric they've never heard of. And the cycle continues.

Most cosplayers are filled with joy, and as a consequence are fearless in their own way. They laugh. They dream. TOKO is the epitome of this.

Living and working out of Canada, TOKO crafts cosplays focused in the Kingdom Hearts genre, from Riku, to Axel (including a Halloween Axel), Aqua from Birth by Sleep, and more. 

TOKO spends most of her online time these days at Deviant Art, but you can also find her on Cosplay.com as well. I always look forward to seeing what she's up to. Whether it's a new prop she's spent hours cutting and sanding, a wig that's been getting her attention, or pics from a con or cosplay picnic, she never fails to interest, inspire, and most importantly share. I could go on about TOKO as a cosplayer and person, but my advice- go check her out yourself, and take note. Emulate. Go have a laugh. Go make something. Share who you are today- it's all you really have.

Be good to you.

bc

Bright Crest for Aqua, from Birth by Sleep

Bright Crest and a flock of geese

Heya. I hate the lighting in the shop. With the clearcoat it makes it difficult to use a flash and not wash out the colors. Look! It's... white. But here are the best shots so far. I'll take better shots outside. Thanks to N for choosing me on this project, and to Hugs for the reference.

The people of cosplay constantly impress me with their creativity and all-out fun as motive! I've always said cosplaying is more than just play- it's acting where others only dream. Let's play- let's act.

Be good to you.
bc

Arming Aqua, of Birth by Sleep

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Heya. It's a downhill run from here on Bright Crest. Only the grocery shopping kept me from just rolling on yesterday. First pic is the tonal painting. We're almost there! The charm is constructed and needs bodyworked, painted with the rest of the stars, and the ring attached, then it's all paint and clear. This piece has a lot of texture to it.
It's where I'm headed now, in fact. Be good to you.
bc

Bright Crest of Kingdom Heart's Birth by Sleep/Little Dog Returns

Friday, May 7, 2010

Shopblog/Bright Crest/Little Dog Returns

Heya. First off, I apologize to all of you who've been so kind as to ask for pieces of my work. I balance my schedule very carefully, so as to have the appropriate time for each project. As I often say - I rush nothing. That's why they come out like they do. Well, that, and me. ;) So thanks for thinking of me, and catch me on the next round! Until then, cosplay on.

Here are a few progress pics of Bright Crest, for N. It threw me for a day or two, as, once again, we discover that pics of these things were never meant to be 3d, and so even the tints used to identify heights, depth, etc. are often out of whack- this one was reversed per end. Yup. What's depth on one end is height on the other. I'd take a good look at it and follow the piece- so far so good, until about three-quarters the way down I began to lose sight of it. As you can see that's been worked out! It's funny now. X)

In the first shot you can see the carving beginning to take shape, and the lines defining. In the second pic you can see the 'map' where all the courage comes into play to start carving.

Little Dog is back from the brink and we're glad to have him. They unzipped him quite a bit, but they saved his little ass, and he seems to be well on the mend and back to fireball status. It's been busy here. Little Dog interrupted us for a few days, but we're back on track. I'm ordering pieces for Portgas D. Ace's log pose/compass, and getting ready to turn templates into starter pieces to carve, and to turn clay, wood, and metal sculptures into molds. Whew.

I can hear my son watching the Triplets of Bellville in the other room. If you haven't seen it- treat yourself.

That's all for now. More pics soon as I throw more dust. Be good to you.
bc

Bright Crest

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Shopblog/Bright Crest

Heya. Time for Bright Crest, N. This was a fun layout and cut- a break from the exact line. This shape flows and wanders- few straight lines here. The charm and star motifs will be craved in cedar, bodyworked with clay and bondo, molded and then produced in frp so that the repeating theme pieces are all exact, from the charm to the butt to the top piece. Reviewed a photo book to get an idea of the best way to paint the 'waves'. Got it. The idea of a raised detail of seafoam would be nice, and my mind is turning on it. Yellow cord or braid for the charm on this one- no chain. Very sturdy. Can't wait to layout the details and start carving. Back at it in the morning.

Still hunting the right material for Portgas D. Ace. Several that would work, but I'll look until I find the one I want. I'm out.

Be good to you.
bc

Santa's Tailor, Bright Crest, One piece

Friday, April 23, 2010

Shopblog/Bright Crest

Heya. Here's a long overdo shot of the Santa Belt that I made for someone back in hmmm, Oct./Nov. and finally got a picture of. No major, but here it is. Ho Ho Ho! Merrrrrry Christmas! Boy, that feels weird right now.

Next up is Bright Crest, another keyblade from Kingdom Hearts, Birth by Sleep.

Hardly any reference on this AT ALL. I found four or five good shots. None of them give so much detail as to give much in the way of guidelines but the bare minimum, but that just means a greater freedom of expression. I see great potential with this one. I love the overall butterfly shape of the handle, and the stars that look so much like a five-petaled simple flower. Also seems to be no chain for the charm but a cord. Lots of waves going on, and the paint should be bomb. Here we go, N!

And just behind Bright Crest is a set of props for A, creating your fav firefist. This has been done



a fair amount- maybe because it's easy in some ways, but we're going to make sure that this one stands out, well, like a guy with fire in his hands. The dagger will rock, the log pose/compass will be articulated, and the smileys I just love. I'll relief carve them, then paint. Again with the Push, NV on this one- turned loose to maniac it- right on, love ya for it- that- and 'children's tears' ;) Let's have some fun.

Easy 8 miles on the run today. Found a part of the chi-running form I've not yet nailed- landing my feet behind my core. Big difference. I reached consistent speeds today unrivaled by previous runs- and that's with being sore from working my tush off in the big garden. Uses more core strength, though, as I can tell this evening!

What else? Big Garden kicked my ass. Started the template for Bright Crest today, getting ideas on how to make it fly and fly high. Phish is jamming on shuffle. Food's ready. Waiting for Way to Dawn to land on M's doorstep in the next hour or so- hello, Canada. I think a little Samurai Jack's in order. Be good to you.
bc

Cosplay Sunflowers

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Cosplay Sunflowers

Heya. I'm headed out to put Way to Dawn on its way. It's a funny thing each time a project ends. The fans go off for what feels like the last time, sensors get turned on, the radio and ipod go quiet, and dust floats in motes of light as the sounds of the neighborhood filter in.

It won't be long before another project takes over and I'll be sweeping up after the last and headed into the new. Every day. I think by the end of the week I should be rolling on this. It's another creation inspired by Kingdom Hearts/Birth by Sleep, and belongs to the character Aqua. Looks like a great piece. I'll make sure it is.

Skipped running today- still way sore from the long 22 miler. I be back at it Tuesday.

Hard frost predicted last night- worried me over fresh seedlings coming up in the garden but they did fine. The mammoth sunflower sprouts still have the seed cover over their leaves like someone pulling a shirt over their heads. Soak up the sunshine boys and girls, and lean into the light. Be good to you.
bc