We recently connected with Michael Cerasoli and have shared our conversation below.

Michael, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

The way I enhance my skill set is through trial and error. I absorb everything I can from sources like online tutorials, my peers in the community, and the media I consume. Then: practice, practice, practice.

I think the best way to speed up the learning process is to get out of your own head; many things I’ve tried in the past make me cringe to think about, but I realize they were necessary steps for my personal growth. I wouldn’t be who I am without that trial and error.

To quote Jake the Dog from Adventure Time: “Sucking at sumthin’ is the first step towards being sorta good at something.”

Michael, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a cosplay artist, actor, and a photographer. I specialize in creating works based on all things nostalgic- with a particular affinity for superheroes, and current pop culture happenings.

I’ve been lucky enough to have my work featured and shared by prominent entities- most recently by Good Morning America and ABC News for a shoot that I conceptualized and featured in with a fellow cosplay artist (@feycrafts on instagram) inspired by Disney’s live-action Little Mermaid.

But at the end of the day, I’m just a regular dude who likes to express myself through portraying characters. I’ve been that way since I was on the playground, and I want to share the joy that playing pretend has always brought me.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I’m very proud of the community I’ve built for my online content. It’s growing every day, and I couldn’t do it without all of the supportive people who believe in my work.

I think the sweet spot of carving out a place in a niche community lies between engaging with and supporting like-minded people, while working hard to become the best you can be at what you do.

Comparison is the thief of joy, and if you spend too much time worried about how you measure up to others- you’ll never get anything done. You are your own person, and there are plenty of people out there who will resonate with what you have to offer, no matter who you are.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think the best thing that society at large can do to support artists is to give the space for everyone to be their authentic selves. The most talented and creative artists I know are also the quirkiest people with the most unique perspective of the world.

The best thing you as an individual can do is to hype up your artist friends! Share their work! Engage with their socials! It’s tough out here, with so many systemic ways that artists of all kinds are undervalued. Let’s lift each other up.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/michaelcerasoli
• Facebook: facebook.com/michaelcerasolicos
• Youtube: youtube.com/mvvalentine

Image Credits
Michael Cerasoli