We recently connected with Sarah Harris and have shared our conversation below.

Sarah , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Throughout my life, I have always loved building and creating things. I love seeing something come to life, taking an idea in my head, and turning it into a tangible object. In the last few years of high school, I began taking art classes and discovered the potential of Art as a profession. However, I did not initially plan to become an art major when I entered college. I didn’t really know what I wanted to be when I “grew up.” I kept gravitating towards art classes. Even when they were not necessary for my degree, I signed up for them anyway. As time went on, I began to realize that Art was more than just a hobby for me. I ultimately earned a bachelor’s degree in Art and professional education. I feel incredibly fortunate to do what I love every day and have the opportunity to share my passion for making things with others.

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 am a maker at my core. I love that word and wear that title as a badge of honor.

I began cosplaying nearly two decades ago and have been sewing for even longer. I love working with various materials, including clay, resin, Worbla, wood, fabric, and much more. As my passion for cosplay intensified over the years, I established Blue Knight Cosplay and Props as a way to finance my ever-more involved creations. At first, I sold resin casts of my props, but as demand grew, I also started taking on custom commissions. Now, I travel as an artist to showcase and sell my products and maintain an Etsy shop for custom orders.

Over the past 12 years, I have also had the privilege of teaching Art in both a classroom setting and at conventions. It has been a rewarding experience to share my passion for creativity and help others embark on their artistic journeys. I have had the opportunity to host panels at conventions throughout the Southeast. I have appeared as a guest at several events, judged costume contests, and even helped put on a few conventions over the years. Recently, my friend and fellow artist Martha Howard and I established Azalea City Con with the goal of creating an inclusive space for all nerdy fans to come together and celebrate their passion. Thanks to the community’s overwhelming support, our first event in July was a success. We’re excited about our next event and can’t wait to see what the future holds for our little convention.

Running my business has not always been easy, but it has been incredibly fulfilling. I have met so many amazing people along the way, from fellow cosplayers to supportive customers. It has also allowed me to explore new places while doing what I’m passionate about.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

We should start by acknowledging and appreciating artists’ value to our communities and culture. It can be the simple act of purchasing Art from the artist, a ticket to a play, or larger things like funding public art projects. If you can’t provide financial support, you can still help by liking, subscribing, and sharing their posts or videos. It’s important to show appreciation for their hard work. We also need to support spaces and opportunities for artists to showcase their work and connect with audiences, such as galleries, conventions, and other events.

As an art educator, I also feel that it is essential that we prioritize fine art education to ensure that future generations appreciate and create Art. By nurturing a creative ecosystem, we can continue to benefit from the valuable contributions made by artists to our communities and culture.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I love taking an idea and making it a reality. I love the problem-solving and the feeling when it all comes together. I also love sharing my passion with others. Whether it’s teaching someone a new skill, showing them how to make something, or simply talking about how things are made, I find it incredibly fulfilling to be able to pass on my knowledge and enthusiasm to others. To me, making things is one of my greatest joys in life, and I feel fortunate to pursue this passion every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://blueknightcosplay.wixsite.com/portfolio
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blue_knight_props/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueknightCosplay/
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueKnightProps

Image Credits
Don Cooper Photography