Originally posted by garyjd@Mar 27 2005, 09:07 AM
If you look at the numbers on the poll for this thread, there is one (okay two) that has really caught my attention. The catagory regarding medals and competition for a reason behind being involved in the hobby/art has not been picked by one person as of yet. It just seems to me medals and titles mean a lot to some folks, be it because they're competitive people or they have huge egos (or they develope them over time) that need regular feeding. This is just my opinion and nothing else, it's intent is not meant to stir the pot or get people flustered.~Gary
Hi Gary,
This is an interesting insight. I bet for every person who is serious about competing, there is another who could care less. I know I fall into the latter category for a few reasons. First, I really do not have the talent to even think about competing, and I really don’t think I ever will. At best, I am an “average” miniaturist, and despite my best efforts and intent to improve, I seem stuck at the same skill level. Second, I am not the competitive type. I did play American football for eight years, and started on offense, defense, and special teams. Every year I was thoroughly indoctrinated to “inspired coaching” and teammates in a testosterone frenzy… I felt honored to be part of a championship team (2 years), and to belong to the team, but I preferred to spend my time with our cheerleaders (which I recall to have paid even greater dividends)!
So, to me personally, competitions seem very unimportant. I think everyone should be given some type of medal just for entering, probably because I am the father of two, and I like to see my children succeed and be rewarded for their efforts; plus it takes GUTS to set something on a table for all the “experts” to pick apart. Just look at how people in our little community here go ape over a new release. Some tear it to pieces; others admire the talent it took to create it in the first place (I am in this camp). I also think this is one reason a lot of us are loathe to post pictures of our work a lot of the time.
In September I am going to try to enter a local contest, just so that I can say that I have tried it once, and had the experience. I don’t expect to place, win anything, or hang around while the entry is judged; I just want to satisfy my curiosity about the whole show/competition thing. I plan to be as anonymous as possible, and just observe the “goings on” (and hit the vendor area). I feel I owe myself the experience, and who knows, just maybe some of the conceptions I have will be dispelled.
Well, just another $.02, for what it is worth…
Rob