Jody is the model for a nice, hard-working person. He inspires me and has always made me feel welcomed and like I can do things right, my uniqueness is a gift. I met Jody through my Heroes for Kids family. Not only is he a fantastic guy, but he is also a creative soul, creating incredible figures (some are pictured in this post) and cosplays, his mastery of several materials makes him to me feel like his idol, IronMan. In fact, he even looks like Tony Stark and he embraces it!
I am so thrilled he agreed to this interview! I know you will be blown away by this gentleman as much as I am.
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Creative to Creative Q and A: Jody
1. Where did you grow up? Did your childhood have any impact on your creativity?
“I grew up in Charleston, Mo. What I did growing up had more of an impact on my creativity, than where I grew up. I started reading comics at 5 years old. I would make things from clay or draw what interested me from those comics or sci-fi shows and movies at the time.”
2. Tell us about the first figure and cosplay you recall ever making.
“What I would consider my first “cosplay” is a custom Jedi that I made for myself 17 years ago. I wore it to a convention in Metropolis, and I was hooked. The figure statues, I only started those about two years ago, and that’s only because I accidentally figured out that I was good at it.”
3. What are you currently working on?
“I’m building a traveling Batcave. It will fit into a 10×10 convention space and contain as much nostalgia and gadgets as I can carry. I’m very excited about it, and it’s coming together wonderfully. Personally, I’m making yet another Joker costume, and a Batman Beyond suit for myself.”
4. What is your favorite piece you have ever created and why?
“I made a Mjölnir (Thor’s hammer) completely from scratch from plastic and leather for my dad. Thor was his favorite growing up, and he continued to love the character through the MCU movies that he got to see. We placed it on the table at his memorial along with his beloved Lord of the Rings book collection. I now have Dad’s hammer, and will never part with it.”
5. Do you have to create in order or do your ideas just come to you and you put them in order later?
“I get a whim of an idea, and then think, rethink, and overthink until the prop or costume comes to fruition.”
6. What was your path like until you found crafting and cosplaying?
“I was a historical reenactor from the time I was 15 years old until about 11 years ago. Many different historical eras, American Civil War, westward expansion (Old West), World War 1, World War 2, Vietnam, the DeSoto Expedition, and the Roman Empire.”
7. What materials/tools do you use for your artwork and projects (all mediums?)
“I use a wide variety of mediums, for the costume armor, it’s always vac-formed ABS plastic, along with any manner of cloth or leather fabric. For my figure statues, they’re plastic with air dry clay and enamel paints on a wooden base.”
8. Tell us about your favorite franchises that make you happy/and inspire you.
“My go-to fandom is anything comic book-related. The medium itself, plus the movies, TV shows, and streaming series. The second would be historical dramas, fiction or non, I love the past.”
9. What inspires you to do art?
“The desire to create something phenomenal. I have never been able to afford high-end commercially available costumes, props, or statues/figurines, etc. When I discovered I could make these things, it opened up a new world for me. As a side note, I’m an only child, so creating these things scratches my psychological “hey, look at me, look what I did” itch. 🙂 “
10. How do you get reviews and followers for your social medias? Any tips and tricks?
“Blunt honesty. My followers are my family and friends. And if they aren’t, they soon end up that way.”
11. What is harder: editing or marketing?
“Marketing. As a fellow artist, you know. Everyone has an idea of the worth of what you create. And their estimation usually doesn’t scratch the surface of the value of the time you’ve spent, or materials you used.”
12. If you could make every idea you’ve ever had, how many would you have out right now?
“Two things. An all-aluminum, wearable, IronMan suit, with all of the bells and whistles. Also, an actual Batcave, made in an actual cave with all of the goodies, computer, Batmobile, animatronic T-Rex, huge penny, the works.”
13. Have you ever considered co-creating a piece with another artist or creator?
“Absolutely, and I have. Spidey from Heroes for Kids and I are each other’s sounding board for ideas and projects almost on a daily basis.”
14. What do you do to relax?
“Create. I joke that making this stuff is my “Valium”. It is my escape from real-world troubles. A good friend of mine once said, “The art doesn’t lie”, there’s a profound comfort in that.”
15. If you could tell your 14-year-old self one thing, what would it be?
“Buy Apple stock. I’m joking but not. There isn’t anything I’d do over, life is life. You learn, improve, carry on, and enjoy it along the way.”
16. What advice would you have for this upcoming generation?
“READ!!! There is too much noise in this world. Reading sharpens your mind, builds your vocabulary, and takes you to places you may otherwise never see.”
17. Have you ever read a book or seen an art piece that changed your outlook on life?
“The Bible. And a work called, “The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln”. I consult both on a regular basis.”
18. Do you have a classic piece of art and/or a classic author you are fond of? How about one that is overrated?
“I love the works of Poe. So much, in fact, that my daughter’s name is Annabel. I don’t think any art is overrated. Any piece, any medium is that person’s passion and perspective. We can agree or disagree, but it’s their truth.”
19. Is there any type of music that gets your creative juices flowing?
“110% 80’s hair bands. GNR, Poison, Ugly Kid Joe, Def Leopard, I’m THAT guy.”
20. If you could pick three people who are your heroes or role models, who would they be and why?
“My Dad, he was the absolute best and a ruler I measure myself by daily.
“I wouldn’t exactly say they’re my heroes, but there are so many inspiring human beings that I admire. Downey, Jr completely rebuilt himself from ashes. Christopher Reeve, who never stopped smiling even in the face of horrible adversity.”
21. Dog or cat person?
“Dog. Hands down. Personality is everything in my book.”
22. What do you want to eat right now?
“Any Mexican will do for me, all day, any day.”
23. If you could be in any movie that has already been made, which one would it be?
“1989 Batman without a doubt. I love Tim Burton, and the protagonist and antagonist are my two favorite characters of all time.”
24. What is your favorite holiday or time of year?
“Halloween, but I feel like everyone in cosplay circles would say that. Winter is my favorite season, there’s a crisp cleanliness to it that soothes my soul.”
25. Tell us about your collection of cosplays. ^_^
“Currently, I have 4 Batman costumes with a 5th coming, 4 Joker costumes, 1 Flash with another coming soon, 3 Tony Stark’s, 2 IronMan suits, X-MEN’s Beast, Spider-Man, and I’m in the planning stages of Black Panther.”
