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Anyway, DragonCon 2009 has been the most awesome time I have ever had at DragonCon for as long as I have been attending. That is saying a lot. But there were many factors in making it the best. I have so many incredible friends to see at this con. This year, I got to see really how many people there are that I can call friends. I was overwhelmed, and very humbled by how lucky I am to know so many of you. A big shout out to AOME! Finally getting to spend some time with Zeno and Laura - you guys rock! Mommagorn, Maddy, Kayleigh, Shannon, Kassie, and Dan - best roomies ever! Jo - always there for me. Philip made sure I didn't die on my way to con, and on my way home. Thanks to all of you.
Also, I got to do something this year that I have wanted to do for a long time. Somehow the stars aligned, and I had the opportunity to make costumes for one of my favortie bands of all time - The Cruxshadows!
Jessica and Holly, the drop dead gorgeous dancers, always wear brilliant fairy costumes during DragonCon. Last year, I offered my services as a leatherworker and costumer to make them a new ensemble to debut in 2009. Not to pat myself on the back, but I have to say that the finished costumes look amzing - and of course that has as much to do with how beautiful these models are. They were happy with the costumes, so you can imagine I was jumping up and down inside like a fanboy. How many people get to do something for artists that they really admire? To show appreciation for their craft and their generosity? How lucky am I to have been able to do just that? Jessica mentioned wanting me to work on another costume for next year - it doesn't get better than this!
My armor panel for the Tolkien track was so much fun to do this year - thanks to Jean for making it happen for me. I hope that all those attending had a good a time, and that they can feel free to email me anytime with any questions or comments they might have.
I was very excitedd to have the panelists on the costuming track pull me up to talk on some of the panels with them. They were all so gracious and had such incredible knowledge and skill, that I felt very honored that they wanted me to share the panel with them. Thank you guys so much.
Probably the biggest highlight of the convention for me was meeting Miss Murder. She has been a long time friend of Rogue and Jessica, and she and Jessica create the incredible costumes that the dancers wear at DragonCon. We immediately began discussing ideas for costumes we could collaborate on. She does wonders with fabric - fabric has always scared the hell out of me, which is why I work with leather :). I can't tell you how much fun I had just being in her presence. I am so very excited about working with her on future projects. Miss Murder, if you read this - you made the Con for me!
Well let me go ahead and post some pics!
- Location:Finally home
- Mood:
On top of the world - Music:Cruxshadows - Quicksilver EP, duh.
Well here it is, the official blog for Studio Kensai, my multimedia art studio. My name is Michael Cook, and I'm a full time armor and weapon maker. I'd like to thank my good friend, Jo, for setting up Livejournal for me. This is my first actual blog so I'm sure it will be an interesting experience. :) I've never really been into the whole blogging thing, mainly because I never really knew what to write. In the grand scheme of things, my day to day life doesn't have a whole lot of excitement going for it.
However, I do make pretty cool armor and weapons. That's something fairly interesting to write about. I recently went into business for myself, making armor, costuming, and weapons. Before then, I was an armor maker for a costume manufacturing company for three years. Way before that, I was a martial arts instructor and close quarters combat instructor for Sullivan County Sherriff's Department. So I bring all of those experiences and my historical research to my armor and weapons. Even my fantasy inspired pieces are based on principles used in real armor. Therefore, they are actually more comfortable to wear than one might think. This was a video made for DragonCon where I get to explain some of what goes into what I do. The Inside The Con documentary has me at 2:22 into the video. So there is the shameless plug portion of the blog. ;-p I am still working on the official Studio Kensai website where people can order the goodies I make. Although anyone who comes across this blog and sees the pictures, can feel free to contact me by email and order stuff. I do a lot of custom work, so the sky's the limit. My email addy can be found in my Bio, but here it is just in case - studiokensai@comcast.net.
I'd like to take this opportunity to give a wave to those near and dear to me. Thanks again Jo, and good hunting to Anna ;). Hey Daniel, the mini helmet is going to help me a lot. :) Thanks to Mel and Chris and all of you at Arms of Middle Earth, hope to see at least some of you at ConNooga! To my best friend, Hey Kris, I'm finally back online! To Anna W., it's all your fault - thank you again. :) Hello to my friends at The One Ring.net, and AlleyCatScratch.com. A big hey goes out to my friend, Nate. Wishing the best for Les, Steve, Jon S., Jon F., Kevin, Ryan, and James V. To Jadd, Chad, Aaron, Josh, and Mike - wherever you are, I hope fortune smiles upon you. To Brandi, I hope life finds you happy and well. A special thanks to Durwin Talon, one of the best professors I have ever had the privilege to learn from. To Jason in Savannah, it looks like we're still going to be here for a while. To my new friends, Blue and Relay, you guys rock my face off. Hugs to my little sister, Becky, one of the bravest people I know. Can't forget to mention my local gang. A rocket punch to Philip, who's always got my back. A stiff drink to Kelly, my sister foodie. A KOL salute to Erik. Special thanks to Charles and Maria. Sympathies to Pat for his unforgiving work schedule. Yatta! to Jessie for introducing us to Heroes. A Can't Thank You Enough For Everything to my parents-in-law. And finally to my partner in crime, Abi, my wife of twelve years, WHHHEEEEEEE!
- Mood:
hopeful
