We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jay Sutton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jay below.

Alright, Jay thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

This is such a challenging question for me because all of my projects have been meaningful in different ways. I can provide a super recent example.

Even just before the start of the pandemic, I felt such a creative block. I had been trying to work through it as best as possible by doing small projects but everything began to feel like a chore.

I decided to take a break from social media and actively for about a year and for my first project back, I chose to do a Spring Photo Series and participate in Black Fae Day. To me, even doing something so small creatively rejuvenated me and I felt like I could begin to get back to doing what I love to do.

Jay, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I got into cosplay years ago by just jumping in head first at a convention. I was extremely nervous because it was out of my comfort zone, but it was something I wanted to try. Luckily, I had one of my best friends try it with me so that really helped me feel supported.

Now, I’m a Cosplayer, creator and whatever else I want to be. Over the years, I’ve found it important to not box myself in and label myself one thing. I think this alleviates any pressure I have to only be in that lane and gives me the flexibility which ultimately makes me happy. I’ve built up a community over the years by just creating my photo and video content and organically engaging with them via interactions or creating fun tournaments for them to participate in. It’s been an absolutely awesome feeling.

Ultimately, I feel most proud of just being able to maintain my love for crafting and creating. With the pressures of social media and the constant changes in the algorithm, it can shift things from fun to exhausting very quickly.

I’ve come to form a new mentality of “if I don’t want to do it, I simply won’t” and it’s been letting me have a lot more fun with everything.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think society can be a little more open to accepting new talent within the space. Often times, I find that the community and media circulate the same lists, people and perspectives instead of uplifting and empowering new ones. This helps bring in the diversity and honestly just an acknowledgement of amazing work and creativity coming from different people.

I’d also love for creators to continue to share resources with one another. Often times, opportunities come along and not all creators understand their value in terms of what to charge or even expect for their work. Creating content is work, and only being met with free opportunities in exchange for exposure shouldn’t be the only standard (especially for big brands). Pay creators 💞

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Not really and I think that’s one of the best parts. Sure – there are a lot of things I’d like to try and do and I’m all for newly presented opportunities, but I enjoy going with the flow when it comes to this. It keeps the pressure down and my enjoyment and fulfillment up!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @heyjayish
• Facebook: Hey Jay Cosplay
• Twitter: @heyjayish

Image Credits
@kingedcam – photographer for Gambit Photoshoot