Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mok Basterd. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Mok, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

How did you learn to do what you do?

– What I do is a collection of skills I’ve crammed together. I learned face painting from cosplay due to an obsession with Steam Powered Giraffe. I’ve drawn my whole life so I think that gave me a leg up. I also learned to sew for cosplay, thinking I could save money that way. Acting or performing I feel came from roleplaying with friends for most of my years in school. Direction comes from imagination and being a consumer. I was inspired by CMVs, animatics, webcomics, etc.

I don’t know if I’ve learned enough about photography and editing as their own skill set. My ideas for shots and final edits are more dynamic than they turn out. I have a ways to go with putting ideas into practical action.
Mixing these things, I start with an idea, then a drawing, then I go for it and when in doubt, Youtube.

Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?

-Getting my ADHD diagnosed could have helped a LOT. I feel half the reason I take so long getting around to things is due to memory loss and difficulty with paying attention.
For sewing, a class would’ve been helpful, even now. You cant switch tabs whilst in person.
For makeup, I’d have taken notes on non-negotiables. I have a tendency to skip steps I feel aren’t important, when in reality, they are… I should probably do some studying on photography and editing with these things in mind huh…

What skills do you think were most essential?

-Makeup, direction, and stage presence.

What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

– My ADHD and lack of money. I didn’t grow up with college savings or any extracurriculars that could boost my skills. Any resources had to be free to the public and accessible at home.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I create images, videos, and performances mainly starring Mok Basterd, an artistic persona I created. Mok is an impersonator whose identity is poorly actualized/masqueraded. Mok is my effort at capturing the horror (and sometimes beauty) of identity, imposter syndrome, gender, and self-image. Uncanny Valley and Pareidolia are my biggest inspirations.

Personally, I feel as though I’m a servant to the art and that were I not able to make these things, it would torture me. I need to get it out of my system just like any child needs to play.

I dream of being a creative director. I’d kill to affordably work with other characters/artists by bringing my style to their world.

How did you build your audience on social media?

This may sound counter-productive but I don’t post often. There’s never a shortage of ideas but there’s often a shortage of time, energy, assistance, and resources. Given things align and I pull enough teeth for help, whilst holding myself accountable, I can shoot more regularly. Even then, not every shoot or idea is gonna go right the first time or be worth posting.

It’s corny but the quality over quantity thing is important to me. I could post a selfie orrrrrrr I could see my idea through to its full potential and take it as far as I can go. The ladder takes more time but it also leaves more people waiting. So, I only really post things I take time on, if not, a carousel of makeup/short videos that better stand together rather than on their own. I feel the confusion & intrigue is nothing without the effort I put in and although it’s ironic to say, less is more with Mok. Leave things to the imagination.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Once the final product comes together and it feels like something I’d gasp and save to my Pinterest, I feel proud. However, the most rewarding aspect is when I create a picture or video that can better describe how I feel or who I am when words can’t. That, and having my queer family’s praise and recognition. I love them and their artistic validation means the world to me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mokbasterd/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeYYzqSVGd0G8vc_ufajyXQ
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mokbasterd