We’re spotlighting talent in the cosplay community!
Every month, The Variant showcases cosplayers who display talent, creativity, and a positive voice within the cosplay community.

Hello my name is Mary and I am a North Carolina based cosplayer but I mostly go by Snarky Puppy Cosplay or my Instagram & gamer handle @thiswolfienips.

I’ve been cosplaying since 2011 and have been on all sides of conventions from convention staff, to panelist, to con attendee and even competing and placing in different cosplay contests. I’ve found that I enjoy volunteering and cosplaying for fun more than I do competing though. I believe cosplay is for everyone no matter their gender, size or color. Cosplay should be for fun whether you’re competing, modeling, or just goofing around with your friends. Working with The Variant over the years has always been just that; a very inclusive and passionate environment that I am very proud to be a part of.

I have cosplayed from multiple genres, including but not limited to Disney, video games, original characters and even a few comic book characters. My favorite cosplay to date has been my clown OC, Cuppie Cake. I know clowns have sparked fear in people’s eyes over the years, but I love being her as a sign of pure joy with a whimsical personality.

My favorite cosplay from this month’s spotlight has been Gigi from The Puppettes by Savannah Alexandra Art. I love all of the confidence and sass Savannah has given Gigi in her design. I also adore the various different body type sizes and shapes she has given the other Puppettes.

When I am not cosplaying, you can either find me buried in my work, as a salon leader with a dog grooming company that I have been with for the past 8 and 1/2 years. I love my job! My favorite dog to groom would be a West Highland Terrier. The rest of my spare time goes to relaxing at home playing video games with friends or reading a good book. When I do get out of the house, I love to spend it at amusement parks and cannot leave a carousel behind without taking a ride and picking out my favorite horse or animal.

If you see me helping out with The Variant at upcoming cons or cosplay events, don’t be afraid to come say hi and if you happen to see me at an amusement park, get ready to pick out your favorite mount on the carousel!

Every month we tell the Cosplay Spotlights the same thing; “This feature is you on a plate.”
While we do provide advice or guidance with posing during photography and styling if needed on occasion, all the cosplays you see featured every month are what the Spotlights themselves want to put out into the world to share with all of you. Mostly people pick their best two cosplays, do a couple photo shoots and call it a day.

And then there’s Snarky Puppy Cosplay…

When you meet Snarky Puppy Cosplay you’ll almost immediately know because the positivity and exuberance for whatever she’s doing at that moment is like a shining beacon of hope in this cold, dread world. This month we paired her with the incredible photography stylings of Variant Photography newcomer, Fox Dream Photography. When they told us they went out and did four photo shoots of Gadget from Chip N’ Dale’s Rescue Rangers, Gigi the Poodle from The Puppettes by Savannah Alexandra art, Gang Orca from My Hero Academia, and an
OC Elf Botanist, no one blinked an eye because that’s just our Snarky Puppy.

WAIT!!…why are you still reading this??
GO CHECK OUT THE PICS!!!!