The true greats of the hobby

[Lou Masses]

Gents (and the 1 or 2 ladies in the hobby)

Let me preface this by saying this is not a brown-nosing, or butt kissing session as what I'm about to say I've said before and written before. And I think you all know me well enough to know I kiss no one's buttocks.

We are truly fortunate to participate in a hobby in which there are people who truly have a passion for the art, have a passion for learning and most importantly have a passion for sharing. Sharing techniques, ideas, sources, tips, whatever.

How many endeavors can you find where the "greats" of any particular subject will actually go out of their way to help everyone else-without agenda? Usually when one is "above the bar" the ego soon follows and sharing is a thing of the past. Being a "master" in this hobby is more than painting well or being "artistically trained" or read. It' about the community. It's about not gaining for yourself, but sharing what you've learned- for no other reason than to help.

It is great to see the likes of Bill Horan, Mike Blank, Pepe Gallardo, Phil Kessling to name a few here-people who are proven masters in our community visit here and share their skills. There is no Ego, there is no agenda, it's just because the enjoy it. (Pepe I don't know, but Bill, Mike and Phil-don't let this blow up your heads ) The truly talented sculptors like Gary, Quang, John, Joe and Jason (again sorry if I excluded anyone) too!Damn, how could I not include Alan Ball-Our celebrity globe trotter sculptor!

Of course everyone here contributes something every day, even if just a question that we didin't think of that makes us go in a new direction. Here you also have the tireless participation of people like Guy, Roc, Gordy, Anders and a number of others who do not intentionally exlcude, who work and post and keep this site going every day simply by visiting.

Well, to everyone I have learned from, and everyone who has shared with us I hoist a glass for the coming year and give my thanks. It is my honor to know you and for those I've never actually met, my honor to be among you.

How's that for a flowery, year - ending speech!

 

[garyjd]

Originally posted by Lou Masses@Dec 17 2004, 10:41 AM


How's that for a flowery, year - ending speech!

And it has such a sweet smell. Very well put Lou.~Gary

 

[Lou Masses]

Sorry. I just edited it to include you.

I know what it "smells" like but it's from the heart

 

[garyjd]

Thank you Lou, I appreciate it. I drop in several times a day and there is no other place on the net that compares.~Gary

 

[btavis]

Originally posted by Lou Masses@Dec 17 2004, 10:41 AM


Well, to everyone I have learned from, and everyone who has shared with us I hoist a glass for the coming year and give my thanks.

I have seen you hoist a few for less noble purposes

 

[Joe Hudson]

Lou,

I could not have said it any better. Where I am today is due to of all the others in this great hobby sharing all the tips and tricks that they know and giving me the advice on how to better my work. If it were not for the likes of the ones that you have mentioned and this includes yourself, I would just be sitting around with my big black dotted eyed figures and not able to enjoy all my friends which I met thru the hobby. Like you said some I have never met but that I still consider really good friends. Many of them have helped me in my personal life as well as the hobby. So I would just like to wish everyone here Merry Christmas and great New Year. Lou remind me to buy you a drink in Atlanta.

Joe

 

[dario966]

A bit off the subject
this is to Gary Dombrowski
by the way Gary, Are you related to the famous Polish (and French) general of the Napoleonic Wars, who himslef actually was of Saxon stock and barely spoke Polish language when entering the Royal Polish Army at a tender age of 16, paradoxically he ended as the epitome of Polish patriot and warrior and his name lives for ever as it is the alternative name for the National Anthem of Poland aka 'Mazurek Dabrowski-ego' (the song was written by his firend Joseph Wybicki during the sad times when Dabrowski created and then commanded so called 'Polish Legions' in French serivce (1797).There are quite a few paintings portraying this tall and massive bear of a man who, amongst other things, helped to save Napolen's army at Berezina. He could make a great miniature sculpture especially since he had some fine uniforms and often rode pinto horses (at least in paintings by Kossak ). Other things he had accomplished are too numerous to list them here, for example he, during Kosciuszko Rising, was one of the few commanders, prior to 1806, to beat the Prussian army( in 1794). The old spelling of his name was Dombrowski.

 

[KeithP]

Hear, Hear...

Could not agree more with the sentiment that Lou expressed.

Keith

 

[Billhoran]

Hey Lou ... a little soap and warm water will clean that brown right off your nose...No really, thanks for the kind words.

One guy you have left off, and who is mentioned all too rarely these days is Shep Paine. When I was learning to paint 30 or so years ago, almost all of the major players in the hobby jealously guarded their secrets. Shep rejected that approach and started publishing, first with Monogram, iand later in magazines, and his own books, detailed SBS of his watershed projects (Historex conversions, dioramas, shadow boxes), ultimately putting into print virtually everything he knew.

When new Masters are selected at MFCA or Chicago, one of the most important criteria is always, "What has this person given back to the hobby? Is he/she accessible and open about sharing their techniques and knowledge with new modelers?" Shep started all of this, and his influence over people like me, Greg DiFranco, Andrei Koribanics and many others is incalculable.

Another major, and often overlooked contribution of Shep's is the Open Competition system that started in Chicago, and is now in use at shows throughout the US and Europe. This supplanted the old "Category System" with its 1st, 2nd, 3rd awards, and its attendant rivalries and tensions. By opening up the awards system (Shep pioneered this at a time when he was raking in awards - making a change that directly reduced his own award "haul"), it removed most of the acrimony and jealousy that plagued the hobby in the 1970's, paving the way for the extraordinary growth the hobby saw in the 1980's and up to this day.

The fact is, that sharing one's knowledge, and I think I am speaking for many others, is almost as enjoyable as doing the work itself. Thanks, Shep!

Bill

p.s. Lou, now where is that soap and water ... I've got a bit of brown on my nose now!

 

[Automata]

Well put Lou.

Barry

 

[garyjd]

Dariuz, I don't mean to get away from the thread topic. In answer to your question, I do not know. Others have asked me this before. My Father has even said our name is spelled/pronounced diffently (Dabrowski?). My Great Grandfather served in the Polish Cavalry during WW1 before immigrating to the US, so anything is possible. A figure would be neat.~Gary

 

[slaj]

Very well said Lou. I couldn't agree more. It's hanks to thishobby that I have met and made friends with so many people all around the world.

Bill , your input adds and sums up what Lou said. You are both veeeeeeery right :lol: :lol:

Stephen Mallia

 

[Lou Masses]

Bill,

Absolutely true and extraordinarily well put. I was just pointing out the guys that visit here specifically and can share their time with pF memebers but when it comes to influences, there are a huge list that I too would include and Shep is sort of like the "grandfather" of the hobby (not in age, but in guidance) at 14 years old I had his diorama book and it is still (tattered from overreading) in my posession. Greg DiFranco is my mentor and close friend so he is of course high on my list as is Andrei Koribanics, Mike Hall, Phil, Dennis Levy and the late Jim Beaver and many many others who have over the years helped me grow as a painter.

Shep almost single handedly (or did) probably break this hobby out from being part of the plastic stuff out there and you're right, he does deserve mention here.

Now who's gotta clean their nose? :lol:

Lou

 

[Lou Masses]

BTW, Bob this one I hoisted straight up in the air. Usually I'm just hoisting up to my mouth - at times with some difficulty :lol:

 

[Anders Heintz]

I agree whole heartedly with Lou and everyone else! It is amazing that so many people from all around the world can gather around a site like this to share their passions about this hobby.

It is especially great to have 'access' to some of the greats of our hobby that we used to only read about in the magazines and books and acctually interact with everyone in the forums.

Thanks to everyone who makes pF the place it has become over the past year!

 

[gordy]

Lou,

Very well said, the exchange of information is a driving force in the hobby and serves as inspiration and a freshness to new ideas/techniques. Learning from yesterday, encourages us today and betters us all for tomorrow.

That sums up planetFigures core existance: a sharing community to promote growth and awareness of miniaturists from around the world.

As an offshoot of that premise, the "vBench" facilitates anyone willing to provide a daily diary of their projects and offers the author a means of instant feedback from peers around the world, as well, sharing techniques and tips - a virtual article or seminar, if you will.

We've watched members skill and techniques dynamically change over time in the vBenches, and we believe our community succeeded with planetFigures goal.

We're very pleased to have within our community pioneers of the miniature world and encouraged by their skills, talents and approachability shared by them. (although it's coffee, I'm hoisting )

 

[Larry R]

Lou, you are so eloquant (SP?) not my way but not much room for a bull in a china shop approach like mine, besides it would get edited out anyway! Your thoughts ring true. True masters are willing to share thier ideas and talk and answer endless questions from novices like me. All the folks you mentioned and more like Bob Knee, I hold in such high regard as they are willing to help the hobby and hobbyists without agendas. Thanks for saying what my Mom or wife would have wanted me to say it....my way only gets me in the doghouse!!

 

[megroot]

Lou, Bill, Gordy, and all the others i couldn't say it any better.

For me as a beginner the PLANET is beside the books off Shep, Bill and the new book of Bill the most reading source for the hobby.
At Euro i met some guys of the PLANET. It was maybe the best day of this year.

So iff i all who helped me for learning painting the figures, who mentioned things that is should have be done etc. I must buy a barrell of beer for all of you to toast the old year into the new year.

From the Netherlands I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Maybe to early but it cant be said enough.

Marc

 

[Lou Masses]

A Barrel of Heineken? I'll be on the first flight to Amsterdam!!

 

[Guy]

Very well said Lou. I have seen alot of our members really grow in their talents and abilities since I first came to the planet last August. It has been a thrill to see this growth and I have enjoyed doing what ever part I have played in their vechicle of growth we have here.

I look forward to next year and following some of the great talent we have assembled on the planet and wish everyone the best of holidays.

Guy

.........now I have to book a flight to beat Lou to that barrel of Heiniken
hope to see many of you in Boston