Hey Jerry,

Don't be so hard on yourself. You do an excellent job with your figures by adding that extra bit of life to older kits, by making realistic looking hair, and by creating excellent poses that help your figures tell a story. I know what you mean about the incredible painting by other modelers on line making one self-conscience. My stuff in nowhere near the quality of some of the stuff I see online and at shows, but there is something that sets your work apart from much of that. There are several things actually. One is that you put alot of heart and soul into your work...your projects mean something to you and they mean something to others. You can add details to your more modern figures that the manufacturers and many other modelers may miss because you know about those things from actual experience and having used those items (I am primarily referring to this set and your paratroopers rigged up for a jump.), and you have developed a style of your own (which includes the way you recreate hair). When I see one of your works, if I did not know it was yours, I would be able to tell from it's style.
I felt the same way you do, but Alexander from Masterbox and Vladimir from Bravo 6 both told me that I have a certain style in regards to my figures and that is what makes them unique.
So what if our figures don't look like the masters. Even though it is something nice to strive for, I think we are both better off concentrating on telling the story and getting the small details right than recreating the painting style of some other modeler.
AATW
James

James,
Thanks a bunch for your comments. It really struck a note with me and made a lot of sense. I have come to realize lately that I do have a style. I never used to think so. I always thought my painting was pretty run of the mill because I was once again,referring to some impressive figure painters I know like Roger Hurkman or Per Olav,etc.
At my advanced age and with dwindling acuity in my eyesight I don't see things getting radically better but I will strive for improvement for sure. You really put things in perspective for me a lot in this post!! Thanks brother, Strike Hold!!!
J

Ah! So this is what I get for slacking off on the forum I suppose. I always seem to wander back in to find you well into another great project, and this is no exception. I'm going to wander through this blog for a while now...

Who knew you could build these awesome modern (well, by our standards) US figures in addition to all those Germans? Hahaha

Awesome work, sir.


Let that be a lesson to you young Sir!!! Don't forget to check in!! Hahahahaha
Thanks for the kind words and nice to see you back here.
J
-Conor

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James,
Thanks a bunch for your comments. It really struck a note with me and made a lot of sense. I have come to realize lately that I do have a style. I never used to think so. I always thought my painting was pretty run of the mill because I was once again,referring to some impressive figure painters I know like Roger Hurkman or Per Olav,etc.
At my advanced age and with dwindling acuity in my eyesight I don't see things getting radically better but I will strive for improvement for sure. You really put things in perspective for me a lot in this post!! Thanks brother, Strike Hold!!!
J

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No problem, Brother! I have attended shows in Texas and Oklahoma where I get to see works by Doug Cohen, Anders Heintz, Bob Bethea, Henry Nunez and others who make it look so easy and put out a good volume of stuff in a short period of time. When I look at my stuff compared to theirs, I find things that I could have done better after thinking that the latest work or two were the pinnacle of my work and realizing that I have a long way to go to come close to theirs. With the physical limitations I now have which have caused me to adjust the way I paint and sculpt, I know that I probably won't get to their level of work, but I can use it as inspiration. Now realizing that I have a style that is recognizable to others who have followed my work is motivation enough to keep trying to make interesting figures and dioramas, even if my painting abilities are not master level.

RLTW! (the "R" for Ranger or Recon. For me it stands for Recon)
James