Meet Martin Aripez | Cosplayer/prop maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Martin Aripez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Martin, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I was always into art. It used to be drawing and making stuff with modeling clay or making my own wrestling gear when i was training to be a pro wrestler. It wasn’t until I stumbled upon cosplay on YouTube that I found out how to make props and costumes.

It was a friend of mine who helped influence me to keep improving, not only in making armor.

While attending local events, I started noticing peoples reaction to my work. The fact that they get to see their favorite character come to life, makes the countless hours spent making these costumes worth it. Although my characters are not the most recognizable, It’s the best feeling in the world when someone recognizes your character and can’t believe that they are standing in front of them. That makes it all worth it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I see each project I make as a way to keep improving. Along with wanting to make characters come to life, I like to challenge myself to have my next project be better than the last.

Consistency and discipline are huge factors too. Although there is no such thing as perfect, there is always the best you can be. The only way you can get good at something is practice. The more you do something the more familiar you get with whatever it is you are trying to do, not just costumes and props.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Although I live in Lancaster, my home will always be in the San Fernando valley and the surrounding areas. Personally I like to spend time with the family at a diner, James. I recommend that place for breakfast. If you’re a coffee lover like me, you’ll love it there mybfamily has gone there for several years.

Although, nowadays I’m more at the craft store for fun haha! I do like the Northridge mall for fun, lots of stuff to do around there from shopping to restraunts to theaters. I love walking around just for fun when I’m around there, even if I’m by myself.

Since I’m a gamer at heart, I love going to a place called Game dude that’s probably the best place for gamers they everything from current games to N64, Super nintendo games to even Atari.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The person I’d like to shout out is another cosplayer, Fernando, who goes by the name Supadezz.

Through positivity and encouragement, he helped influence me to improve my life in so many ways. Helped me realize that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

His progress throughout his time cosplaying was the fire I needed to keep improving. From a small following, to working on costumes and props for big name musicians.

Although we met on instagram and only met face to face once, he’s is like a brother to me. I seriously wouldn’t be where I am now if it weren’t for his motivation and positivity.

Instagram: @Elitemar_X

Twitter: @Elitemar_X

Youtube: @Mar_X

Image Credits
@lumbersnack_photography
@zombietorresphotography13
@sadboii_production
@monzo_vocals