The World in Miniature
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Many of us are familiar with building model kits as a child. Though like many other pursuits, model building, at least among children has waned over the last few decades with the advent of gaming and social media, there are still some of us who still spend countless hours whittling away on a project. when we have the time.
For us, what used to be model building has become more of an artform - something which pushes the limits of our creativity and tests our problem-solving skills. For me, it's also a great stress reliever - when I'm building/painting, in that short window, it's the only thing on my mind. It's also a great feeling of satisfaction when a project is completed. |
Some enter the hobby through a passion for history, and they focus primarily on historical pieces - personalities, or events of the past.
Others may start by painting figures for tabletop games such as Warhammer 40K, or Dungeons and Dragons and they primarily focus on fantasy pieces. No matter how we enter the hobby, we all share the same goal - to produce pieces that as accurate as possible (even if they are mythical) - and to derive the satisfaction of bringing something to life. |
Though many finished pieces end up in their creator's display case, never to be seen by anyone outside of family and friends, some enter the show circuit - a series of exhibitions held throughout the world that bring together artists, hobbyists and collectors.
In the US, among the largest and most well know shows is the Miniature Figure Collector's of America show which takes place outside Philadelphia every spring. With other US shows in Atlanta, Chicago, Tulsa and Long Island throughout the year, it's a great way to meet fellow artists and learn from them - and unlike many other pursuits in life, every artist, even the best "Masters" will always take the time to help. |
Of course, there are other shows focused primarily on gaming, such as Adeptcon, GenCon, Warhammer Games Day, etc. and the work on display there is often stunning.
This website is my personal portfolio. Everything I've produced over the years is displayed here. You'll also find my catalog of vintage kits - models that haven't been produced in many years, but that are often still among the best even with the arrival of so many "new" talented sculptors and producers. So if this is all new to you, enjoy. If you're a fellow artist or collector, feel free to reach out with any questions! -Lou Masses |