Kearstin Nicholson – Featured Cosplayer Interview

Kearstin Nicholson

Kearstin Nicholson

There are many talented models and performers who bring their love & enthusiasm to dressing up as their favorite characters. Comic Book Critic will regularly showcase a performer who embodies this spirit of cosplaying.

Whether it’s creating the costume from scratch, altering the appearance of an existing one, or just getting into character, these performers spend a lot of time and effort on their craft. As much as we all enjoy seeing our favorite fictional characters represented in real life, let’s not forget the behind-the-scenes work that goes into that portrayal.

One thing is for certain though, their love of cosplaying shines through in their work.

The Comic Book Critic Featured Cosplayer Interview this week is:

Kearstin Nicholson from Elmhurst, IL

Kearstin Nicholson

Kearstin Nicholson isn’t your average cosplayer – if there is such a person. She’s got more hobbies than people have fingers! Kearstin is a costumer, panelist, costume judge, artist, model, photographer, drummer, pianist, singer, photo retoucher, graphic designer, event coordinator, and charity enthusiast… at least for now.

Not only is she multi-talented, Kearstin also has a very outgoing personality as can be seen in the usual Saturday night webcam livestreams. She’s a funny, rude, in-your-face, down-to-earth, crude, and beautiful true geek all rolled up into one sexy package – and on top of it all, she is also an erotic model on GeekGoddess. What’s not to like about Kearstin?

We were lucky that Kearstin found time in her schedule to give us this featured interview! If you want to find out more about this amazingly talented and rather busy cosplayer, read on…


How long have you been cosplaying and what was your first costume?

Over 5 years, and my first was actually Dark Phoenix!

Kearstin Nicholson as Dark PhoenixKearstin Nicholson as Dark Phoenix

You started as a model, what made you decide that cosplaying was something you wanted to pursue?

I had already been going to conventions, but in my area, costuming wasn’t that big of a thing. So when I started to see it rise in popularity, I had no idea it was a thing. I always thought they were just hired models wearing costumes (not that there’s anything wrong with that though!). So, I dipped into it, and have been loving it since!

Kearstin Nicholson as Marvel Girl (Jean Grey)1016944_595478843826374_1347183432_n

Do you make and/or design all of your costumes?

I primarily make my own costumes and my boyfriend’s. There are times I commission pieces out, because I love to support artists and think of them as “designer purses”. MUST HAVE A PIECE!

Kearstin Nicholson as '90s Jean GreyKearstin Nicholson as '90s Jean Grey

Which was the most challenging or satisfying to make?

Most challenging would definitely have to be anything that isn’t spandex. That is not my strongest area, and I’m still learning how to sew and pattern those types of materials. Most satisfying would be my Angela (Spawn) costume because it was my first armored suit AND I built a staff for the first time! (With a little help holding the power tools because I had no idea what I was doing LOL)

Kearstin Nicholson as Angela (Spawn)Kearstin Nicholson as Angela (Spawn)

Who are some your favorite characters to portray?

Jean Grey first and always! But aside from her, I’m really fond of bold characters and obscure characters. My interests in comics, video games and such are pretty in depth, so even that character who was only around for 5 min could be super cool to me and I want to wear it!

Kearstin Nicholson as X-Factor Jean GreyKearstin Nicholson as '90s Jean Grey

You’re an artist, musician, costumer, gamer, photographer, and model – how do you find the time to do all those things?

It’s hard I can tell you that! But I’m a very big fan of planned scheduling and itineraries. I make the time!

Some things can be done at the same time, or the same day, others, I take the weekend to do. I’m also slowly becoming a gym rat, but that’s just during the week. If I did that 7 days a week, I’d have time for NOTHING!

Kearstin Nicholson posing for GeekGoddess

Since you also do erotic modeling on GeekGoddess, do you think that changes the way people perceive you and do some approach you differently?

Oh absolutely.

The first thing people think are two things:

1. I’m a “fake geek girl”
2. I’m a whore.

Both are completely hilarious things considering they’re tremendously false.

We’re an empowering site and I love the work and activities we do and offer. Nude erotica modeling is nothing new to me as I’ve been doing it since 2004, and now that I get to add one of my other hobbies (costuming) into the mix? Even more fun because I’m more passionate about it!

Kearstin Nicholson as Age of Apocalypse RogueKearstin Nicholson as Mystique

Which are your favorite comics & video games?

Jean Grey is my favorite comic character, and my favorite video games can be pretty tricky depending on the mood I’m in. But I can tell you that Left 4 Dead series, Batman Arkham series, Borderlands series and Gears of War series are my top favorites!

Kearstin Nicholson as Mystique

Are there particular things that are bother you when cosplaying in public?

Nothing really bothers me in public so to speak. I’m extremely outgoing, and honestly don’t care what people say or think. Most people don’t have the gall to say anything to my face anyway, so in public it’s pretty much smooth sailing.

Most of the time, I get told I’m pretty intimidating anyway, since when I’m in costume, I stand around 6’3″ (heels, baby!). Other than that, I don’t have problems in public. Costuming or modeling. Not even “sexual harassment”. In fact, those people who say the lewd, rude, crude things are my biggest fans!

Kearstin Nicholson as Skrull Ms. MarvelKearstin Nicholson as Scarlet Witch

What do you enjoy the most about it?

The attention and completion satisfaction. Knowing that “I built this”, “I made this”, “I worked hard on this” and then getting to “perform” it in public is exhilarating. Now, I don’t cosplay, so I don’t get INTO character, but stepping into the world in costume and embodying a character is just as much as performing as actually getting into character. It’s like modeling in many ways. I may model fetish work that certain types of people are into, but that doesn’t mean I’m into it. But if I can model it and work it to have the viewer believe it; then I did it!

Kearstin Nicholson as Elastigirl from The IncrediblesKearstin Nicholson as Ms. Marvel

Do you have any favorite Cons that you like to attend?

Absolutely! C2E2 and Dragoncon are my top picks. In 2014, I’ll actually be “touring” for the first time and visiting conventions on the coasts I’ve never been!

I’m going TO the people! LOOK OUT!

Kearstin Nicholson as White Phoenix of the Crown

Have you attended Anime Cons and are they a very different experience compared to Comic Cons?

Sure have! Acen is one of the largest anime conventions in the country, and that’s in my back yard! While I’m not entirely a fan of the anime crowd in masses (I HATE GLOMPING), they do throw the best best best raves, and I LOVE dancing.

I’m not a fan of how young the crowds are either, but at least I know I can still have a great time going to them. As a costumer, I don’t have much anime under my belt anyway, so appealing to that crowd doesn’t make much sense

Kearstin Nicholson as Hope Summers

What’s one of your most memorable moments while cosplaying?

The people! I love meeting people, I love to party. It has it’s fair share of unnecessary and meek drama, but so does everything else in the world. Just recognize it, walk away from it, and FKNKFN!

Kearstin Nicholson as Red Lantern MeraKearstin Nicholson as Red Lantern Mera & Mike Prost as Atrocitus

Who are some of your favorite cosplayers?

BelleChere, Jessica Nova, Jonathan Carroll, DJ Spider, Mark Meer, Jessica Nigri, Paul Sciarra, Michael Cox, Kevin Spooner, Traci Hines. “Propcustomz”, Scott Whipple, OMG THE LIST GOES ON!

So many people inspire me in so many different ways, it’s hard to list everyone sometimes. I can tell you though, that I have a “appreciation” photo album on my page for such occasions!

Kearstin Nicholson as Angela (Spawn)

Has cosplay changed at all since you began?

Oh it sure has, but everything changes. Especially when fads and trends come into play.

Am I mad about it? No, because I know things like this happen. What I do and how I deal with it, is just that: deal with it. Embrace change (lol skrulls) and keep on doing what you do and what makes you happy. What other people do with their lives and costuming does not effect me or make me change who I am or what I make. While I’d love to be somebody with all of this, it’s not my life ambition nor is it my full time gig, so let it roll!

Kearstin Nicholson as Abbey Bominable (Monster High)Kearstin Nicholson as Mary Jane Watson

What advice do you have for someone just starting out?

USE YOUR RESOURCES!

I teach myself almost everything I do! And when I first started, I used the internet like nobody’s business. There is so much help online, don’t rely on just “asking a costumer everything”. People get busy, people get selfish, and the best way to get what you want done, is to go out and do it. Take the initiative. Costuming forums are my favorite thing ever, even if forums are dying.

Check out places like The Outfit, The SCF, the RPF. Utilize Youtube, Cosplay.com, even just Google!

Kearstin Nicholson as Sailor JupiterKearstin Nicholson modeling pose

If you could change anything since you started, what would it be?

I wouldn’t change anything! Things happen as they happen, and I’m not a selfish person. Stubborn, yes, but not selfish. Learn to adapt and learn to accept. Life is so much easier when you don’t give a shit

Kearstin Nicholson as Lilith (Borderlands)Kearstin Nicholson as Lilith (Borderlands)

What does the future hold for you?

As I mentioned above, I’m fairly excited to start my “tour” in 2014! My primary focus is to go to the people and party! Experience new conventions I’ve never been to, people I’ve always wanted to meet!

Kearstin Nicholson as Dark Phoenix (X3: The Last Stand)Kearstin Nicholson as X-Factor Jean Grey

If you’d like to see more of Kearstin Nicholson or keep up with her work, check out the links below. Give her Facebook page a like if you enjoy her work!

Share your thoughts about Kearstin Nicholson in our comments section below!

 

Kearstin Nicholson Links

You can see more of her work at these links:

Facebook

Kearstin Nicholson Prints

Twitter

Tumblr (NSFW)

Instagram

Amazon Wishlist

Webcam Livestream

Gaming Stream

GeekGoddess

GeekGoddess Prints

@ikearstin on anything! You really just have to Google my first name and you’ll always find me”

 

Photo Credits

Photography by

Angelina Bui

Anna Cosplay Photography

Cosplayers Canada 2013

Lesson 5 Photo

LJinto Photography

Judy Stephens

Mike Prost

Elysiam Entertainment

Anna Fischer

Bugdodger (Flickr)

Red Lantern Mera Trident and Lantern ring by JL Customs
Crown by 4th Wall Design

Atrocitus mask by Matt Guether

Marvel Girl Mask by Ravenwood Masks

Hope Summers catcher’s shinguards, elbow pads, lifting gloves purchased at Play it Again Sports

Mystique weapons borrowed from The Midwest MacGyver

Lilith Jacket by The House of canney
Wig Arda Wigs with wefts added by Kearstin

 

– The Comic Book Critic

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

situs toto