Shreveport, Louisiana's artistic community is continually growing in multiple different areas. From local poets at Bon Temps to local artists at the Red River Revel we are achieving new heights in convincing young and old artists to display their craft. One art form that has been increasing in popularity by the hundreds locally is cosplay.

Some would argue that cosplay isn't an art form, but I beg to differ. Cosplaying and the effort required to make the cosplay is one of the most artistic processes I've ever experienced. It incorporates many different artistic forms. These forms include drawing for concept work, sculpting, painting, and many more. The ability to make a cosplay to be your favorite superhero takes a skilled hand.

Before 2015 cosplaying was really an underground art practice. The cosplay community in Shreveport, Louisiana wasn't the most popular and even received some criticism. Then, in 2015, ComicCon came to Shreveport! The comic convention was a massive turn out with the Shreveport Bossier City area. With a line that stretched over two miles at the opening that morning, it was shown that the cosplay community was a force to be reckoned with. This went to prove that if you host it, the geeks will come. The ComicCon had a cosplay contest with many wonderful cosplays. The winner of the contest that year was Shreveport's Joshua Monroe. You can see his iconic orange power armor that won him the contest below on the left.

Cosplaying isn't all that expensive to achieve either. It can be made by hand with inexpensive materials such as foam, paper mache, or cardboard. The basic idea with non clothing cosplays in that you want to make your ideal shape by sculpting foam or forming paper mache. After that step you can do detail sculpting or forming to add small effects or damage to the piece. The final step is to paint your piece with whatever colors or designs that you wish.

Again, this art form is inexpensive and the only resources that may be harder to get are time and passion. You will definitely need an excess of both to show true results. Also, there can be no room for procrastination or insecurity.

One thing I can tell you about cosplaying or any art form is to never give up. You can't expect to go into a practice and just be the best. It will take hours and days of determination and honing your craft. Get out there and arrive at a con in a cosplay. While it would not look super flashy like some you see on television it will be your piece. Be proud of that piece of art you made and own it. Confidence is the key to success in everything and will see you through until the end.