Today we’d like to introduce you to Thermo AZ.
Hi Thermo, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hello! I am ThermoAZ! I started crafting in 2014 with a Diablo III build and my worldview, from a creative perspective, exploded. Since 2014 I have had the honor and privilege of guesting at pop culture conventions, teaching at Costume College, participating in an international convention, placing as Intermediate Runner Up in the National Championships of Cosplay and so much more! These days I am often found raising funds for human rights groups, volunteering my time at pop culture events as a character actor and educating fans about creating their costume vision from scratch.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No road is ever truly smooth. Without divots and bumps, we can’t truly learn, can we? I grew up as the wall flower so cosplay thrust me into a world of attention I was woefully unprepared for. I made mistakes, I upset people and I caused distress. I took accountability, apologized and continued moving forward through therapy or by getting advice from mentors. I am known to push hard against inequity and implicit bias which certainly gets me into hot water. As someone who has watched people suffer from oppressive systems, and experienced some herself, I strive to confront them. Any time you attempt to criticize dysfunction it tends to result in some form of struggle. Despite this, I persevere and keep educating myself on how I can be a better ally, a better community member.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My day job is numbers, investigation, research, risk assessment, governance and a WHOLE LOT of compliance awareness. Thus, my after hours are dedicated to creative endeavors. I like to work with leather, creating beautiful wearable art. I enjoy making armor and props from high density foams. Sometimes I even sculpt so I can cast unique prosthetics that change my face to unrecognizable proportions. Each new skill/material is an adventure that I relish in the challenges they present.
I am best known for working with materials that react to heat (thus the moniker Thermo was born). I enjoy using thermoplastics, manipulating leather with heat and pushing 3d filaments to their limits. I am known for creating unusual, alien characters AND portraying characters that are quite the opposite of my physique + personality. I mean, this is a fantasy after all, is it not? 😉
What are your plans for the future?
I am planning a VERY complicated build for 2027. I will need to learn how to create articulating eye sockets along with learning how to encapsulate foam clay in siliconized liquid. My aim is to create a VERY realistic version of Mordin Solus from Mass Effect 2 (a bioware game). This build will push my limits of defying gravity, makeup arts, special effects and mobility in costume. I am thrilled at the concept I am generating.
Crafting aside, I will be withdrawing more from guesting at events and leaning into my education skills. I enjoy teaching, I enjoy community and I love to give my time/experience where I can.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thermoaz.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thermo_AZ
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThermoAZ
- Other: https://www.instructables.com/member/ThermoAZ/
