Completed Mike's Chunuk Bair Kiwis from 'The Fusilier'

[Scotty]

Thanks Mike, I was in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, the 5th Battalion fought in Gallipoli. They must have been hardy men on all sides, what a place.
All the best pal.
Scotty.

 

[Chrisr]

I had the privilege of seeing this in the flesh when I visited Mike last week. Watching each of the figures being painted, and the exquisite detail on them, I fully expected to see at least 7mm or larger scale figures. I was stunned to see they are 54mm, and a wonderful diorama it is. Beautifully presented. It is superb work., and captures the very gallant stand of the Kiwis on Chunuk Bair in August 1915 exceptionally well. Congratulations Mike.

Chris

 

[Chris Ribchester]

First class painting and setting, well done on capturing the atmosphere of it.

Chris

 

[OldTaff]

Beautifully done, Mike, a proper and fitting tribute to so many gallant young men.

Alan

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Mike,

No matter what subject you do, the level of detail you manage to get into your painting is incredible. However for a subject like this, there's clearly an extra dimension to your painting. There's real love and care for the subject and a deep respect for the truth of the engagement being depicted. Well done Mike, a classic piece of military art.

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Thanks Mike, I was in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, the 5th Battalion fought in Gallipoli. They must have been hardy men on all sides, what a place.
All the best pal.
Scotty.

Goodness sorry I missed your post here Scotty, sorry mate!
A Highlander eh! Yes Brothers in Arms to our ANZACs forebears on the peninsula.

I had the privilege of seeing this in the flesh when I visited Mike last week. Watching each of the figures being painted, and the exquisite detail on them, I fully expected to see at least 7mm or larger scale figures. I was stunned to see they are 54mm, and a wonderful diorama it is. Beautifully presented. It is superb work., and captures the very gallant stand of the Kiwis on Chunuk Bair in August 1915 exceptionally well. Congratulations Mike.
Chris

Hi Chris, it was an honour to host you & share these wee fellows before they leave here for good.
I know it can be a bit disappoint when you see our figures in the flesh.
They are so much smaller than the enlarged photos would have you believe.
Though with photos it's good to see detail not easily visible to our naked, aging eyesight
Hope we can again meet one day

First class painting and setting, well done on capturing the atmosphere of it.
Chris

Thanks Chris for taking time to comment, atmosphere & feel for the place I was trying to capture in this piece.

Beautifully done, Mike, a proper and fitting tribute to so many gallant young men.
Alan

Appreciate your note Alan, this is a small way of paying homage to men who never knew we existed but believed one day we would remember them.

Hi Mike,
No matter what subject you do, the level of detail you manage to get into your painting is incredible. However for a subject like this, there's clearly an extra dimension to your painting. There's real love and care for the subject and a deep respect for the truth of the engagement being depicted. Well done Mike, a classic piece of military art.

Kind as always Tony, yes I've certainly found trying to acknowledge service in an honest, authentic way is what I'm trying to do.
Especially so with my ANZAC projects. Glad you liked this & do hope your road to recovery goes well mate!

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Due to renewed interest here, thought you may like to see final rough shape of overall display.
Plan to take better shots once I've finalised mounting if base attachments.

Small vial contains soil from Chunuk Bair, as does the groundwork on the scene.

Medallion is a replica of lapel miniature of the post war keepsake, awarded to all living Gallipoli ANZAC veterans on 50th anniversary of the campaign. http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/category/f/f4.html

 

[Joe55]

That my friends ought to be in a museum.

Joe

 

[Scotty]

Cracking display Mike, you have a rare skill my friend.
"At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."
Scotty.

 

[Oda]

All of the above plus a standing ovation.

Oda.

 

[davidmitchell]

Amazing work Mike on all aspects , love everything about it.


Cheers David

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

That my friends ought to be in a museum.
Joe

It's off too the Far East & an exPat Kiwi's collection, so I trust a good home Joe.

Cracking display Mike, you have a rare skill my friend.
"At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."
Scotty.

Totally Scotty & appropriate for Armistice commemoration at present.

All of the above plus a standing ovation.
Oda.

Nice thought Oda, ta!

Amazing work Mike on all aspects , love everything about it.
Cheers David

Honoured to read you comment Dave, have been longtime admirer of your art.

 

[marco55]

Breathtaking!
Mark

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Final photos before sending these little guys to their collector
(Click each for full resolution images)

 

[Wings5797]

Your superb painting is a given Mike but your work on this composition and presentation here exceeds any words I can pull together.
All credit to you Mate.
Keith

 

[Joe55]

I'm gob smacked........ again!

Various wounds, some potentially fatal, bruises, cuts, and scrapes. Shattered posts, tangled barbed wire, torn canteen covers......damn!

Joe

 

[Nap]

I am absolutely jaw dropping amazed at every part of this

It's incredible

Congratulations

Nap

 

[mil-mart]

A stunning piece of art, that's gonna be one hell of a happy collector.

Cheers Ken

 

[marco55]

Stunning!
Mark

 

[Bootneck]

Simply beautiful & a fitting tribute to all the brave men.
Peter.