My first Post! Provo IRA Character

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M

Mark DeDecker

Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2015
Messages
11
Location
Los Angeles
WIP. 1970's . Her name is Aednat Pronounced: ey-nit. It means little fire. (My goal is to pose and make a 120mm resin kit) Her weapon is an Armalite AR-18. The outfit is a 70's British army issue DPM Camo Jak, Non military beret with Easter Lily pin, Skirt and shoes are civi. Hair is temp and needs to be sculpted. Still needs detail pass, buttons and finishing of the shoes hands. Trying to work out pose ideas that tell a story with out the gun being the focus. I hope you like it and feel free to help with comments or ideas!
Provozb.jpg
Capture.JPG
 
Interesting to see this way of modern sculpting develop. The folds of the skirt are strangely draped IMHO but this is WIP of course. The jacket and weapon look great. In general I wonder if the combination of skirt and high heeled shoes would work out "in action".
But it seems to have happened (maybe propaganda pics?) and not everyone was wearing a balaclava.
ira1.jpg ira2.jpg
Anyhow I feel that this forum is turning away from historical hobby related comments towards political statements when certain themes are touched - shame!
One`s freedom fighter is the other one`s terrorist. Maybe an MI 5-agent could be next to keep the balance?

Cheers, Martin
 
I don't see a problem sculpting this kind of figure, after all it is part of history. You don't hear anybody complaining when a new SS figure is being produced and the were a lot worse than the IRA.

Brian
 
"One`s freedom fighter is the other one`s terrorist." True... but they killed more of the people they were "defending" than the security forces ever did... all of which is denied or worse white washed - which is my major gripe. Just like SS, WWII German, Italien or Japanese figures i cannot see any reason to add it to my collection. There is just too much nastiness associated with it.

Do agree it is a nice sculpt... just v much not for me.
 
Martin64 said:
One`s freedom fighter is the other one`s terrorist.
Click to expand...
- A glib misstatement if ever there was. I actually teach this stuff for a living, have operated against the IRA, Iraqi insurgents and the Taliban and can tell you the difference between insurgents (who are usually fighting for a societal or political change on behalf of the people and do not need to terrorize a population into submission.) and terrorists, who are criminals pure and simple that have no limitations in the fear they will impose on a society. Had I had first hand experience of the SS/Italians or Japanese forces of WW2 I would have the same views. Fortunately I have done enough study to keep these out of my area of interest. While I appreciate a great paintjob or sculpt I have never owned or painted any of these figures. I accept Mark had no intent to upset or alienate people he obviously has a talent for sculpting I just think its a pity he choose such an evil subject to introduce himself to us. Mark what about female US, British or Israeli soldiers?

Martin you are correct those are propaganda pictures from the early 70's. This will tell you what the IRA used women for:

http://www.palacebarracksmemorialga...murdered-in-northern-ireland-10th-march-1971/





 
jakbwrhr said:
"One`s freedom fighter is the other one`s terrorist." True... but they killed more of the people they were "defending" than the security forces ever did... all of which is denied or worse white washed - which is my major gripe. Just like SS, WWII German, Italien or Japanese figures i cannot see any reason to add it to my collection. There is just too much nastiness associated with it.

Do agree it is a nice sculpt... just v much not for me.
Click to expand...

On a personal note: My former unit was twice involved in incidents when we took casualties from first Albanian "terrorists/freedom fighters" and some years later from Serbian "terrorists/freedom fighters". Both times while we tried to maintain public order in favor of average citizens that wanted to live their life. That`s life (and my lesson learned) and this forum here is about our hobby.
I cannot think about many of our historical themes where no nastiness is/was involved - it just depends on personal self righteousness and national hubris to overlook these aspects while celebrating your mini-hero and mongering about others. But that is not what this forum is about.
Curb your dog(ma)s.

Cheers, Martin
 
We may come from various countries and from different backgrounds, from opposing sides of the fence and certainly from opposite sides of the former Iron Curtain but don't let us go down that road again, after all it's just a hobby, which might be considered as a form of art but is sometimes hard enough to explain to outsiders who suspect your average model soldier painter to be a frustrated militarist. Any former soldier on this forum will have experience of the changing nature of good guys versus bad guys in that imbroglio of murky politics clouded by the fog of civil war. Yugoslavia and Rwanda might stand as not so shining examples of just that!
Let's keep throwing tiny amounts of paint at tiny soldiers and let's please leave the bickering and arguing to the politicians and lawyers, they love it!
 
Brilliant piece of sculpting. Mark has a right to sculpt whatever he damn well feels like...as do we all. I fought the NVA and Viet Cong and while I have no interest in painting a figure/bust of one, I can appreciate the artistry involved in their creation.
If you find it offensive, don't buy it but just because you are offended does not mean you are right.
 
Thank you all for your cr1ts/ideas and nice words and support. At the end of the day it is a hobby and the hard work, the craft, the artistry, the knowledge gained through research and experimentation, the friendships made the overall appreciation and respect of fellow artists are all that really matter. No one has to like it, but being and keeping things constructive is key. I agree with most when people say feelings and politics have no place here. Its about the art and becoming the best one can be and that can never be done alone.

Jimmy- Yes probably not the most gracious of a self introduction into the forum. in retrospect i would have done a different character. I do plan on doing a whole series of woman in various conflicts. Insurgents and military. Kurdish, African British etc There are so many small overlooked things in military history that I would like to research and portray. I really love WW2 history and figures but cant bring myself to make another German.

My overall goal is to create statues that feel human. Whether they are scum or saints they are people with story. You don't have to agree or like it but please put Politics and feelings aside. I actually didn't sleep last night. I don't like starting confrontation or ill feelings. So please talk about the art good or bad.

Martin-Thanks for being constructive. Indeed the character came about when i saw the propaganda piece on the right. Its based on that. Mostly I had never seen an AR-18 and really wanted to model one as well. Talk about a lack of reference! I have a replaceable head with a balaclava but don't really want to use it. It would make her generic and faceless. People good or bad have story. I'm electing for the heals just to cement the time frame of the 70's. She is definitely not going to be action oriented or doing anything negative or disrespectful.

Martin, Jimmy, Kevin, Akaryu, and everyone else Thank you and I am looking forward to moving forward! I started and I will finish it. Next time choose my subjects with a tad more thought. or not. I'm dumb. The main thing that bothered me a was being told it was a waste of time to sculpt the face. Sculpting and painting are never a waste of time!

https://d2pq0u4uni88oo.cloudfront.n...8a0eee2daf4d25a3c8bfd5507594d17_h264_high.mp4
 
Hi Mark,
Sorry to hear you lose your sleep for the issue, relax, it's just a hobby after all and should be something for your own joy and satisfaction.
Look forward to your next update with how you gonna tackle with the hair.

cheers,
vince
 
Mark,

A suggestion ...how about looking at some of the SOE agents in WW2 as well ..brave women there .

As you say perhaps not the smoothest of intros and subject but all credit to you for your talent in sculpting ....no balaclava !

Look forward to seeing more from you

Nap

PS love the link in your post
 

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