Marie Grey

is a cosplayer, a photographer and an avid gamer. She started cosplay in 2009, after a friend asked her to attend the New York Comic Con. Although Marie was already into anime, she was reluctant to cosplay. Her friend continued to plead until she finally gave in. They attended as characters from the manga series “Bleach”. The experience was a positive one. Marie told us that "I met so many awesome people there, and that's really what kept me coming back". Since that first taste, she has remained involved for over 4 years. As her involvement continued to increase she found inspiration in designer\creators such as Yaya Han and Vampy Bit Me. She admires the way they "put so much time and effort into detailing their costumes”. In 2012, this led Marie to start designing and creating her on costumes. Surprisingly she has never entered a costume contest. It is her belief that "They take up too much convention time, and I'd rather spend it walking the floor, browsing the dealers room and artist alley, or just hanging out with friends."

In addition to costume creation, she has moved into photography. When asked about this she explained "I actually took a handful of photography and digital art classes in high school. It was always something that was just very fun. I like being able to capture an entire story with just a few photos. Having worked with so many amazing cosplay photographers in the last two years or so, I decided to try it out myself...and I freaking love it! I get the same satisfaction from both costuming and photography. It's great to just have an idea on your head and be able create it. The adrenaline rush I get when I'm putting cosplay pieces together is the same adrenaline rush I get when I'm editing photos. All that work and attention to detail really shows in the finished product."

In her free time when she is not working on a costumes or attending conventions, she is an avid gamer. When asked about her gaming, she shares "I love video games. They've always been a part of my life, but it's only in the last five years or so that gaming has taken up so much of my time. I live for side quests, so I really love sandbox games like Red Dead Redemption, Saints Row and Borderlands. Plus, all that gaming serves as research...for costumes...so we can call that working, right?".

Makes sense to us. Please check out a sample of Marie's cosplay in the gallery below.

GALLERY:

DC COMICS: (1-2) Poison Ivy, (3-4) Wonder Woman, (5-7) Black Canary, (8-9) Zatanna Zatara, MARVEL COMICS: (10-11) Dark Phoenix, GAMES: (12) Bioshock - Spider Splicer, (13-14) Final Fantasy 10 - Lulu, (15) Left 4 Dead - Zoey, ANIME: (16) Bleach - Soi Fong. (17) Skullgirls - Cerebella, RULE 63: (18) X-Men - Gambit, (19) Street Fighter - Ken, (20-21) Final Fantasy X - Auron

(1)(2)(3)(4)

(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)

(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)

(15)  (16)  (17) 

(18)(19)(20)(21)

(1-2) Photography by Soulfire Photography — at New York Comic Con 2012. (3) Photography by Robbins Studios Photography and Fine Art — at Commander's Mansion. (4) Photography by Jay Romanus — at Commander's Mansion. (5) Photography by P Karpey Photography — at Baltimore Comic-Con 2012. (6) Photography by Coolsteel27 — at Baltimore Comic-Con 2012. (7) Photography by Cozpho — at Otakon 2012. (8-9) Photography by PixelStudios — at Otakon 2012. (10) Photo by Amit K. Sen — at Katsucon 2012. (11) Photo by Coolsteel27 — at Katsucon 2012. (12) Photography by FirstPerson Shooter for Nerd Caliber. — at PAX East 2013 (13) Photography by Soulfire Photography — at Anime USA. (14)Photography by Cozpho Photography. (15) Photography by Elysiam Entertainment — at MAGFest. (17) Photo by conpics.ws — at Animenext 2012. (18) Photography by M9 Cosplay — at Baltimore Comic-Con 2012. (19) Photography by Triple Threat Productions — with Polychrome Dreams at New York Comic Con 2012. (20) Photography by M1photo. (21) Photography by MDosik. Marie as Auron, Chinasaur as Tidus and Byndo Gehk as Jecht.

LINKS:

Like Marie Grey Cosplay on Facebook
Visit Marie's online Store
Follow Marie on Twitter

  Marie Grey answers 25 of the Best

Who was the last person you told “I love you”?
Marie:  My boyfriend.


What will you find in your refrigerator if you looked right now?
Marie:  Eggs, bread, yogurt, cheese, pickles, water. You don't need anything else.


What was the last expletive that you used?
Marie:  I can't recall, but most likely shit or fuck. They're staples of my everyday speech.


What is something new you would like to learn?
Marie:  Sculpting and casting! I'm finally getting the hang of sewing, but there's so much more to cosplay than just that. I'd like to make huge props in the future.


What is the worst tasting thing you have ever eaten?
Marie:  Vegemite. I don't understand how Australians do it. And they do it willingly!


In the film of your life, who plays you and what is the title?
Marie:  Kelly Clarkson (I'm often told I look like her) in the made for TV movie "Ooops..."


Do you have a secret identity and will you share it? We will not tell...
Marie:  I'm a dragon-fighting ninja who escaped from Azkaban.


If a turtle loses its shell, is it naked or homeless?
Marie:  Naked. Home is where the heart is.


Do you remember the last time you saw a random act of kindness?
Marie:  No. New York City doesn't usually have those.


If your iPod could only hold 3 songs, what would they be?
Marie:  "Short Change Hero" by The Heavy, "Too Close" by Alex Clare, ...and any song on the Batman: Arkham City soundtrack.


Do you have mad dance skills or are you the wall flower type?
Marie:  I love love love dancing!


Do you believe in ghosts? Why?
Marie:  No. I can't find a scientific explanation for it, so it's not something I can wrap my head around. But scary movies with ghosts still scare the crap out of me.


If personalities had an odor, what would you smell like?
Marie:  There's no way to answer this without sounding gross. What smells badass?


The spotlight shines upon you, the whole world will watch for 5 minutes, now what?
Marie:  And now we watch me cry and yell at my sewing machine.


Describe your happy place?
Marie:  My room is definitely my happy place. Tons of comics, video games, and costumes. I can be whatever and whomever I want there!


What is the last furry thing that you touched?
Marie:  Probably one of my mom's cats, which was a decently long time ago.


What is your theme song?
Marie:  I'm like a video game in that I have several theme songs depending on the mood of the situation I'm in. But the song that plays right after my battle cry is "Beast and the Harlot" by Avenged Sevenfold. And during the montage of my deep thinking and inner reflection, "Bonfires" by Blue Foundation.


Do you believe the greatest moment in your life is in the past or the future?
Marie:  Oh, god. I hope it's in the future.


What do you do when you feel sad or depressed?
Marie:  Sleep!


Do you have a safe word and have you had to use it?
Marie:  Nope and nope.


Is the monster in your bedroom, under your bed or in your closet?
Marie:  If he's smart, he'll be in my walk-in closet. So much room!


Describe the perfect kiss using no more than 5 words?
Marie:  It's different for every person. ;)


What is your greatest fear?
Marie:  I'm afraid of pretty much everything so it's hard to pick...heights, small spaces, being alone, the dark, and needles.


What is your favorite comfort food?
Marie:  Cookies. I love love love cookies!


Do you truly feel loved?
Marie:  There are times when I seriously doubt it, but I suppose everyone has those moments. But despite everything I've been through in life, there's always at least one person there when I need them. So yes.


Thank you, Marie!