**** Official Atlanta 2004 Thread ****

[gordy]

please post here about the recent show

 

[sky303]

Well, the annual Atlanta Show has come and gone. I have to first commend the quality of work, as there was so much high quality work. Now, in my opinion, the number of pieces exhibited was way down from last year. Basic was especially light. And the ordnance category was also a lot smaller. It was a matter of, what was there was great, but there was a lot of space left over.

 

[sky303]

BTW, my personal favorite was a piece sculpted and painted by Francesca De Simone of New Jersey Devils hockey player Scott Stevens. I would love for her to get some casts made and put it on the market. What a cool looking subject!

 

[Guy]

Congratuations go out to Bob Tavis for his Silver in "Open" at Atlanta show this past weekend. Let us hear more about the show Bob.

 

[jitch0t]

plz someone post some pics!!

 

[John Long]

The Atlanta club puts on an outstanding show. There was some great work on display. I especially liked Marion Ebensperger and Alan Ball's BOS display. Marion also brought over some pieces by Bruno Schmaeling that were very striking.

 

[sky303]

Originally posted by John Long@Feb 23 2004, 11:52 AM
The Atlanta club puts on an outstanding show. There was some great work on display. I especially liked Marion Ebensperger and Alan Ball's BOS display. Marion also brought over some pieces by Bruno Schmaeling that were very striking.

Of course, John's work was very inspiring itself. Great to see it up close, John! Excellent!

 

[Joe Hudson]

Hello Everyone,

I have to say that I had a very good time at the show and meeting some of the PF patrons in person was a real pleasure. I would like to say that seeing Bob Tavis dio was much better in person as well as Jim's Bronson. As I told Jim many people were looking at his work and for doing this for such a short time no one did not know who he was potraying. Greg's work was nice and a big improvement over the past years. John's work was up to his usual standard and his indians are going to be really good when finished. Francesca's hockey player was a real treat to see. I am not a hockey fan but would love to paint one of her figures! Another person I would like to single out is Anders. I remember seeing his work in Tulsa and thought that it was ok but I want to tip my hat to him and say that I stopped and looked at his new work for quite some time. Anders you have come a full circle and Great job! Alan and Marion's work continues to amaze us all and I would like to thank them for such a great job and congradulations on another BOS!

I have posted some pictures on my website http://groups.msn.com/JoesFigureSite/shoebox.msnw?Page=1 and will update it later with more pictures.

Enjoy,

Joe

 

[fsdesimone]

Originally posted by sky303@Feb 23 2004, 08:12 AM
BTW, my personal favorite was a piece sculpted and painted by Francesca De Simone of New Jersey Devils hockey player Scott Stevens. I would love for her to get some casts made and put it on the market. What a cool looking subject!

Thanks a lot Rob. That's very nice of you to say. That figure is actually a gift for someone so no casting in its future. Besides, there are a few problems with it (ears, gloves... probably others I haven't noticed yet).

There was a lot of good work there. I especially liked what Matt Springer did with his rendition of Michael Roberts' "Old Bill" bust. Great sculpting and beautifully painted.

Francesca

 

[Joe Hudson]

Sorry everyone, in my rambling I forgot to mention also Kreston and Bob Langenberg's work. Kreston had a very nice display and his conversion of a Fusilier kit was my favorite and Bob had a very nice mounted Samurai. Guy you would have loved this one. Bill Chilstrom's marines were better in person than the pictures. Another one that stands out was Jim Rice's Civil War figure. It was spot on! If my nimble mind remembers anymore I will let you all know.

Joe

 

[sky303]

The Atlanta club site has some images posted of those winning "speciality" awards and the best of show.
http://www.atlantaminiatures.com

 

[RobH]

Thanks for that link Rob!

still digesting the pics!!!


cheers

Rob

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Thanks for the 4 pp. of photos Joe - if the number of entries were down year over year, the quality certainly does not seem to have suffered.

Colin

 

[sky303]

Originally posted by fsdesimone@Feb 23 2004, 01:39 PM
[That figure is actually a gift for someone so no casting in its future. Besides, there are a few problems with it (ears, gloves... probably others I haven't noticed yet).

Francesca

Aw, darn...I guess I'll have to try my hand at sculpting. I did hear that you are in the process of making a Rod Gilbert (one of my all-time favorites!)...how's that coming?
Also, what process did you use for sculpting the player's equipment, padding, etc?

 

[Pete_H]

I'm still catching up on work that I blew off before the show, but I'll post some thoughts on the show tonight (I've got a class in 3 minutes). There is one thought, though, that I want to get across to you guys, especially after all the discussion about "revolutionizing how we paint miniatures":

If you really want to see how to paint historical miniatures, GO TO A SHOW and see for yourself.

There's nothing like actually seeing the figures in the flesh and to be able to talk to the people who painted them. Regardless of skill level, ASK QUESTIONS and be willing to answer some as well. To this day, I have never met anyone who was not willing to answer questions.

There, I said it ...

 

[Lou Masses]

Although I realize that it may be difficult for some to attend shows - let's face it I never understood (aside from cost) why shows are on Friday and Saturday and not Sat-Sun, but in any case, aside from the work, paint, figures, etc. You can make some friends who you will treasure for life. I've met some of my closest friends at figure shows. People who enriched other parts of my life as well.

My point is how often can you be somewhere where you share the same interests with like minded people. THAT is revolutionary and well worth the expense and time of a trip. The hospitality suites are pretty fun too!

 

[fsdesimone]

Originally posted by sky303@Feb 24 2004, 10:28 AM
Aw, darn...I guess I'll have to try my hand at sculpting. I did hear that you are in the process of making a Rod Gilbert (one of my all-time favorites!)...how's that coming?
Also, what process did you use for sculpting the player's equipment, padding, etc?

Yep, Rod Gilbert taking a slapshot. It's not very far along though - an armature with one leg fleshed out so far. I actually have another figure nearly done (it's just missing the head and gloves) that's of no one in particular. I might turn it into Mike Bossy of the Islanders. Haven't decided yet.

As for the actual sculpting, I didn't really do anything out of the ordinary:

- With the padding I just tried not to lose sight of where the actual joints were (knees, elbows, shoulders) and bulked up from there. Once I had set the pose and began filling in the armature it became harder for me to tell exactly what went where...
- The lines for the socks were scribed into nearly set putty and were a pain to keep straight. I suppose I could have just painted them in but that prospect seemed even more daunting. I thought about using a comb of some sort to pull across it to make parallel lines but couldn't find anything that worked too well.
- I only made one skate and cast copies of it, so I didn't have to keep doing it... although I laced them with Duro after making casts because it would have required an impossible amount of clean-up otherwise.

The thing I had the hardest time with was pinning the figure to the base. I knew I couldn't pin through the skates without it being visible so I went through the stick instead. I made the stick out of scrap plastic, then made a mold so I could cast a copy around a piece of piano wire. To attach it to the figure, the stick is pinned and glued to the palm of the gloves with the thumbs sculpted last to hold it all in place. I hope it won't just collapse under its own weight someday.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[RobH]

Thanks for that Francesca.

Quick question. What medium do you sculpt with?

cheers

Rob

 

[fsdesimone]

Magic Sculp mostly.

Actually, maybe someone knows the answer to this - is Aves Clay supposed to have a dry, brittle consistency to it? I have some and tried to use it the other day, but it was extremely hard to mix. And when it dries it's all grainy. I suspect I just have an old batch and that's the problem, but I'm not sure.

 

[John Long]

Francesca, I've been very disappointed in Apoxie "clay" for sculpting. Apoxie "sculpt" is good though. The clay is kind of brittle and grainy.