Christmas time and Holiday Cheer with cosplayer Brielle Arts

Posted on December 27, 2020 by Raven Steel

Far away and deep inside Western Europe, there is a workshop that works all hours of the night to bring these fantasy amour characters to life. No, it’s not made by elves but by a persistent young woman who has cosplay blood flowing through her veins. She’s young and talented and she is here to do Raven Steel’s Holiday interview. Please show your love and your Christmas cheer to my next guest with us today, Ms. Brielle Arts.

Raven: Welcome Brielle Arts to sanctuary of solitude. What happens here, stays here unless you open the door.

Brielle: Thank you Raven Steel for having me do this interview. I happy to do this!

Raven: The honor of interviewing BrielleArts, is all mine. You do have my plate of cookies and milk, right?

As you may not know before I begin all of my interview questions, I offer some words of advice, a ballad of encouragement when you find yourself at crossroads during your career. I hope you’ll take these words to heart whenever the world becomes too much to bear and you need that little push to get you back on track. So here goes, You cannot sit and wait for inspiration to come to you. You have to get up and go after it with a heavy club”. Kinda of like a Polish Christmas tradition.

I think we can all agree, I have been a good reporter this year. Would you be so kind and tell me all about you?

Brielle: Well, I was born and raised in Poland. I dream about moving to another country someday just to try something different. Nevertheless, Poland is a wonderful country, and I’m not sure if I would ever leave it.

Raven: Your color eyes and hair?

Brielle: Hmm difficult question, I’m not sure what color my eyes have, sometimes they seem grayer, sometimes bluer, sometimes they fall into shades of green

Now about my hair color, that’s an even more difficult question because I change my hair color so often. I currently have my hair color as ginger.

Raven: How tall are you?

Brielle: I’m 162 cm tall, but always say I’m 165 cm, I don’t know why (5 feet 4 inches).

Raven: Do you speak or write any other languages?

Brielle: Do computer programming languages also count? I’m joking. I speak and write in Polish, English, a little German, Spanish, and I also know a little Russian. I’ve always wanted to learn Japanese, but unfortunately, I can’t find time for it.

Raven: What does Brielle Arts love seeing during this Holiday Season?

Brielle: The two things I love during the Holiday Season are these. Because of the little child inside me, I like everything that is lit, sparkles, and plays beautiful melodies, for example glowing music boxes playing “Let it snow” or “Jingle Bells”, or the lights on Christmas trees. I love Christmas trees.

The other thing I love during the Holiday Season is watching all the Holiday movies and cartoons like Mr. Grinch. That green creature is my favorite Christmas character. In Poland, we also have a “Common Tradition” of watching “Home Alone” with Macaulay Culkin as Kevin. Maybe it is funny but many people in Poland cannot imagine Christmas without seeing that movie.

Raven: What sort of music do you love to listen to?

Brielle: I really like to listen to metal and rock music, unless you ask about Christmas then I like to listen to metal remixes of Christmas songs and carols.

Raven: What makes you nerdy or geeky?

Brielle: I’m just a nerd who plays games, reads books, watches movies, wears cosplays and goes to conventions, and buys a lot of unnecessary figurines, keyrings, mugs, and other pretty things related to pop culture.

Raven: Are you a social butterfly or a quiet mouse?

Brielle: It depends. Sometimes I go for the entire day without saying a word, but most often I say a lot of things when I’m feeling great and with good company. I can say that I’m a mutant mouse with butterfly wings or something like this.

Raven: What got you into Cosplaying?

Brielle: Since I was a child, I liked sewing and doing various handicrafts, I also liked some costumes and I really liked dressing up, Carnival and costume parties at school were my favorite events of the year. And one time, when I was attending my first convention ever in my life. I said, “Hey, maybe I’ll dress up as some character?” The costume then, but it turned out to be quite expensive, so I decided to make one myself. I still do some cosplays that I’ve developed in my workshop.

Raven: A workshop. I must see this workshop of yours.

I’ve noticed many of your cosplays are Props and makeup. What characters give you the biggest satisfaction in creating a cosplay?.

Brielle: I think that the characters who have some interesting makeup or large armor give me the greatest satisfaction. Even though prop/amour characters are very uncomfortable to wear at a convention or doing a photoshoot.

Raven: Are you attracted to these characters or something else?

Brielle: Most often I just like their designs, but I try to choose characters with a certain personality that suits me. I like to bond and feel with the character. I like becoming the character, and it’s not just about the appearance, but about being connected with the character, or something more.

Raven: Is there a Christmas gift you got that made you cry with JOY?
Brielle: There was such a situation, it might sound strange but I cried with joy when I just got a new backpack. When I was in elementary school, my family didn’t have much money, so I didn’t have any great stuff and my backpack was a tragedy. The backpack was old, worn out, holes were sewn 100 different ways. It was just disgusting, and the kids at school were laughing at me and this backpack. I remember that then I got a brand new backpack for Christmas, it was the best gift, I was so happy that I started to cry. It sounds funny to me now, but I was really excited back then.

Raven: How did you create your cosplayer name, Brielle Arts Cosplay?

Brielle: My name is Gabriela, I have friends from outside my country who transformed my name into Gabrielle because it is easier for them to remember and pronounce it, and over time they’ve shortened my name, and now it’s just “Brielle”. I like it, so it became my nickname, but unfortunately, many people in my country have a big problem with pronouncing my nickname, so probably in the future, I will change it to a more accessible one for both Polish and foreign fans.

Raven: Has your cosplaying experience provided an opportunity to get more commission work?

Brielle: Yes, before the pandemic I had a lot of commissions, but now that the conventions are not organized, people don’t buy costumes and unfortunately, I don’t have many orders.

Raven: Hired to give gifts to little children, what cosplayer outfit would you wear for that event?

Brielle: I think I would choose Vi cosplay from league of legends. She has large, mechanical gloves that children always love. So I think they would be delighted to receive a gift from such big hands.

Raven: How do you feel cosplaying Dark, Bloody, or Gothic interest you doing them or just the cute and sexy ones?

Brielle: My favorite types of cosplaying are strong, armored, brave, dangerous characters. I don’t like cute and sexy cosplays, although sometimes I like various character designs that allow me to do this type of cosplay. I feel much more comfortable doing Bloody/Gory types of characters.

Raven: Is cosplaying in your country very popular? Is it widely accepted? Are fellow cosplayers help each other?

Brielle: Cosplay in Poland is quite popular. Cosplays are being created by many people of all ages. I think since cosplay is becoming widely accepted. Even though there are a few individuals who think cosplay is a kind of “childish stupidity”, it has become more and more popular.

Raven: Booo to those who think its a Childish or Stupid!

Brielle: Do cosplayers help each other? Yes, very often, there are whole groups that rely on helping each other. Whenever you have a cosplay problem, there will always be another cosplayer willing to help.

Raven: What is the #1 Christmas song you would sing all day long?
Brielle: “Rockin ‘Around the Christmas Tree” but more rock version.

Raven: I’ve noticed on one of your videos, you play with fire? Tell us more.

Brielle: Honestly, about playing with fire, I don’t do it professionally, I am a total amateur. But the fire has always intrigued and relaxed me, and playing with fire is just something that allows me to chill out and forget about problems.

Raven: Well, I would still invite you to my campfire anytime. It would be very entertaining.

Who should control the types of media a cosplayer be allowed, fan request, or you?

Brielle: I believe that everyone should decide for themselves. Of course, some fan requests are important, but the final decision should still be up to the cosplayer. Everyone should be comfortable with what they do, regardless of the opinions of others.

Raven: Have you ever experienced any unusual requests (Bet it was Feet)?

Brielle: I think that every cosplayer girl had some “unusual” request. Quite often I have some strange requests. Several times I was asked to take pictures of my feet, I was asked for pictures in my underwear, for pictures with someone’s name or some fan sign, but the strangest request I got was to send someone my used panties. The person who asked about it was willing to pay a lot of money for these panties. Of course, I declined the person’s request. It was too strange and too awkward for me to comply.

Raven: Would they be interested in my used boxer shorts? I have no shame in my game.

Raven: If you could give back your fans a Christmas gift, what would it be?
Brielle: I know what I would like to give each of my fans, I would like to give a package containing a handmade Christmas ornament, candy cane, and some sweets, my photos, and a card with handwritten Christmas greetings.

Raven: You have the look at times in your cosplay as a torched soul and other times the look of being cute and cuddly. Which do you prefer doing?

Brielle: I rarely look cute and cuddly in cosplay. I feel much better when I look badass. I think that cute costumes do not suit me, sometimes I wear such cosplay, I look in the mirror and I have the impression that I look like a complete freak, like some alien. It’s not “me” then. I look best and feel best in costumes that aren’t cute. I prefer IT when people see me saying, “OMG! so amazing, or That’s So Hot”. Then, “Awwww! what a cute little piece of the rainbow”.

Raven: How easy/hard to find a good photographer in Poland?

Brielle: I think finding in Poland a good photographer, who would specialize in cosplay photography is quite simple. In Poland, we have a lot of talented photographers who can create truly magical photos.

To be honest, finding a photographer is easy, but sometimes you have to be patient because it often turns out that this photographer has a full graphic and you have to wait a long time to arrange a photoshoot, or to receive processed photos after photoshoot… Often it also happens that a perfect photographer lives on the other side of the country and you have to travel several hours with a heavy suit to take beautiful photos.

Raven: Pack a lunch and don’t talk to strangers. They may ask for your underwear.

Is your cat a part of your props in your photo shoots?

Brielle: My kitty is very curious and is always interested in all props during photoshoots in the studio. Sometimes she can be a little bit annoying, but at least she doesn’t destroy my props.

Raven: What places, in your country, have you taken your photos?

Brielle: Hmm. I’ve taken pictures in various places, but mostly in a photo studio. However, I sometimes do an outdoor photoshoot. For example, Vi’s cosplay was photographed in an abandoned warehouse in a river port, Cerys in the ruins of a castle, an elf costume in the forest, and Leona in some park. Whenever I have the opportunity, I choose photos outdoors, because it is a much more interesting experience for me.

Raven: Breaking down your bedroom door, a hoard of Killer Elves is going to attack you.
What weapon, in your room, would Brielle Arts pick up to defend herself with?
Brielle: Haha, that’s a good question, I have to think about it … I think a slipper would be a good weapon … It works great for spiders, so maybe it will work on elves too, who knows.

Raven: How do the people of your country celebrate Christmas?

Brielle: I noticed that people in Poland celebrate Christmas in different ways, it all depends on the region. A large number of Poles are Catholics and all groups celebrate Christmas “like Catholics”, I mean with pagans traditions, which were stolen by the Catholic Church. So, the Christmas tree is decorated and the Christmas carols are sung.

On December 24, when the first star appears in the sky, we sit down to the Christmas Eve supper which consists of 6-16 dishes depending on the region, We share the wafer and make Christmas wishes. The dishes also depend on the region, but there must be fish practically everywhere, as “tradition” dictates preferably carp.

Of course, this is not a real tradition, a relic of the past that has its origins in the times of socialism and the Polish People’s Republic (PRL), because there was almost any fish in the stores, and carp was cheap, so they were told it was a tradition and so far Poles they think it’s a traditional Catholic Christmas fish. I hate Carp because it is disgusting and I have salmon or trout on Christmas Eve.

There are other dishes as well, for example, Dumplings with cabbage and mushrooms, Cabbage with peas, borscht with dumplings, poppy seed noodles, kutia, prune and bean soup. After the Christmas Eve supper, people open presents lying under the Christmas tree, and after that go to church for Midnight Mass. On December 25, on the 1st day of Christmas, there is usually a dinner made of leftovers from Christmas Eve dinner and people spending time with families, and the season for “caroling” begins, children wear different costumes, visit homes, sing carols and collect money. On December 26, the 2nd day of Christmas passes like the 1st day.

Raven: What sort of Polish Christmas traditions do you celebrate?

Brielle: I think almost all that I talked about before. I always decorate a Christmas tree, make presents for my family, Presents lie under the tree and wait for the end of Christmas Eve supper. We always share the wafer and make wishes. At Christmas Eve supper we have traditional dishes, for example, dumplings with cabbage and mushrooms, dried plum and bean soup, fish, of course, different from this gutted carp. I always spend Christmas with my family. I think that’s all, Christmas is a very important time for everyone and I hope that despite the pandemic that decided to make our life difficult this year, everyone will manage to have a wonderful Christmas.

Raven: What do you miss the most about cosplaying since the Pandemic?

Brielle: I think I miss conventions the most. The opportunity to go out in cosplay, take pictures with people, meet my friend’s cosplayers, for the convention afterparty, for cosplay competitions in a classic form, not online. I miss everything related to conventions, I miss my favorite Polish convent “Pyrkon”, I miss it when someone shouts “soon it will be dark” and everyone shouts “shut up” this is a “pyrkon” tradition, I miss singing in the evening “Pyrkon’s Song”. I miss this atmosphere of the convention, that people, despite being tired and sore after a whole day of cosplaying, are still happy and find the power to put on an uncomfortable costume the next day and go to the convention. This year was devastated by the pandemic, but let’s hope that in 2021 I will turn out much better.

Raven: If Raven Steel was a naughty interview all year long, what would you give him?
Brielle: According to Polish tradition, and probably not only Polish, but naughty people also get a twig, which they then beat in the ass. So I think if you are naughty you should also get a whipping twig…

Raven: Sweet. I’m long overdue.

Any sort of advice for aspiring cosplay/prop makers out there? The most important question to ask, Can I get a Hug?

Brielle: Awww of course you can. As for advice for aspiring cosplayers: don’t give up, not everything has to be perfect in the beginning, everyone started and made things that they laugh at when they look at it now. Also, don’t worry about hate, most of the haters have never done any cosplay, so their opinion is worthless. Just have fun with it, cosplay is all about fun.

Raven: Brielle. You will be visited by three Spirits tonight. Expect the first spirit to appear at the stroke of midnight. And tell them, Raven says, “Hello”! That’s all the time that we have. Thank you Brielle for allowing me to do this interview with you. On behalf of the staff and I, we wish you a Merry Christmas a blessed New Year.

Brielle: Thank you Raven for having me, I do appreciate it. If you should ever visit us, our twigs will be strong and waiting for your arrival to welcome you! And please vote for me. I am in the Redbull’s cosplayOn competition. I am one of the finalists. Please click on the link below for a chance to vote for me and make my dream come true.

Konkurs CosplayON: Mamy 12 finalistów!
CosplayON: 12 finalistów drugiej edycji konkursu