Old/New Friends & Hygge Dogs

Coziness and good company and comfort.  Check, check, and check!  Ideal dog vacation weekend.

YES, PLEASE!

Gone To The Dogs

Some days or weekends I spend in the company of dogs.

We rather like this.  I am perfectly fine with it.  Phaser and Cola too.

                                                                    Happy Weekend!

Stable Mascots

I wrote a bit about fantasy creatures, and have appreciation for not-so-realistic finished in decorator style at times.  These tiny nail polish and beady ponies make great little travel companions for shows or alongside their collected counterparts on the shelves.  Many barns have a resident dog or cat(s), goat, donkey, pig, llama, or something who becomes a beloved mascot.

I have PLENTY of other beasties, but these fantasy critters fit the bill.  Lots of sports teams have odd mascots - objects, forces of nature, animals, warriors...What are Your Stable Mascots?

A Bevy of Border Collies!

Not including Breyers, Resins, or chinas, there are still quite a few scale model Border Collies to collect, old and new!  Commonly seen are the classic black and white coats, but occasionally you’ll see one offered in red or tricolor.  A few nice customs have been done for merle, sable, or odd markings.  They are often depicted in crouch - herding action, or at full tilt boogie as an agility dog.  Some are in repose or sitting/standing alertly.  Coat textures are usually rough, but a few models look slick enough to be seen as a smooth.

Always on the lookout for older Schleichs and beautiful Resins both factory produced and by artists as well as “bodies” for customization!  Yes, they also have scale canine sport equipment and sheep!

Tutorial: Prepping the Resin Medallion

(Come join us for May Medallion Madness!)

Most artist medallions and busts are cast in a form of resin (though there are metals and plastics as well) and may have mold release residue on them.  Last Fall, we had a mini prepping party in anticipation of the new year projects, and I busied myself with some small repairs, surface work, and cleaning of models and medallions.  Bas relief sculpture can have fine detail as well as crevices and undercuts.  

Do not be intimidated - it is well worth your invested time to prep, not only in the finished piece, but in the study of your Medallion!  You will get to know the sculpture and think about color and markings during this stage.  Knowing the texture and detail of the sculpt

will allow you to apply color based on that knowledge.

    Lovely Bas-Relief Details!

It is important to thoroughly clean and prepare the piece prior to finishwork so that paint and pigment will properly adhere to the surface.   Just like prepping full models, seam removal, filling of pinholes and surface work are worth your time and effort in producing a quality piece.  Resculpting and sanding also take place during the prep process, and the smaller surface area can seem a delight to work on with these blanks!  Even though they may seem less fragile, eartips and fine edges can chip or break, so take care in your work.  Mending pieces is possible, and I will discuss that here as well.

Basic prepping tools consist of filling or surface material, cleaning agents and tools, and primer.  Investing in these things will help you have a go-to kit for all customizing and repair projects.  I also emphasize safety - use caution with cutting or sculpting tools!  Also consider PPE - personal protective equipment - when it comes to protecting your skin, eyes, and lungs.  I have a package of latex gloves (there are alternatives for those who are allergic), dust masks, and respirator in my kit.  

Scrape, File, and Fill

Sometimes securing a piece to work on can be helpful (painters tape will be easily removed yet secure it to a board or surface if needed).  It is rare that I would use a small hacksaw and cushioned vise on such a piece, but unicorn horn removal has happened!  

Having work areas ready will

help you enjoy various stages of your project safely.

Carbide scrapers and exacto knives may be carefully used to scrape seams and flashing.  Filing down any connection spots where molding sprues were attached is easy with needle files.  Dremel or rotary tools can also be used to grind, sand, and carve in resin and plastic.  Most artists are designing resin medallions to cast easily and have minimal flaws, but sometimes resculpting is necessary.

Seam Lines and Edges to Clean Up

Epoxy putty (2 part) is generally for larger areas, but is popular to sculpt with water or alcohol and can create lovely flowing hair or rebuild an ear.  Apoxie Sculpt and Gapoxio are artist brands to use rather than plumbing/automotive types.  Smaller things like nostril edges or a tiny eartip can be repaired by building up “soda glue” using liquid super glue and baking soda.  

Modeling paste or spot glazing putty (use gloves!) can fill tiny pinholes and surface blemishes.

Also consider the possibility of “messo” which is artist gesso and modeling paste mixed to make a thick, sculptable surface, like hair.

Please note that modeling paste should be used in the final stages of prepping as it is water soluble.  It serves to make tiny surface repairs or add texture with ease.

Sanding Tools of The Trade

Sand, sand, sand!  Varied grit of sandpaper will help you throughout the process, and I really love my sanding sponges and swizzle sticks as I can follow curves and get into tight spaces more easily.  Chances are you will sand multiple times throughout prepping and stages of primer to catch flaws you might not have been able see prior.  For sandpaper, wet/dry 320 or 400 grit is great for finishing prepwork to a silky smooth finish.

Scrub-a-dub For Surface Prep

Cleaning your Medallion is best done with Bar Keeper’s Friend (I like this better than Ajax or Comet) and an old toothbrush.  Gentle circular scrubbing with this powder and water in a paste will remove any residue from casting as well as oils from our hands.  The water will “bead up” when rinsed if mold release is present.  You are trying to see a solid sheet of water on the surface after scrubbing indicating that there is no resist underneath, repelling the water.  Several decent scrubs all over (I do the back too!) and letting your Medallion thoroughly dry overnight is best.  You will find this imperative step gives your resin surface “tooth” or texture that primer will adhere to.

Tiny Pinholes and Flaws

Prime(r) Time!  Much has been written about lightly spraying well-shaken primer in layers, and testing your spray on something like a box or paper before the medallion.  Key points are to use a SANDABLE Primer, work safely, and take your time.  Expect to fix more flaws and sand where needed!  Patience and thorough drying time during this process are a must.

Once properly prepped, you will be ready with a “blank canvas” upon which you will produce finishwork using various media (acrylics, oils, pastels, pigments, even colored pencils, markers or nail polish!).  Having sealants and gloss will help you finish a lovely protected horse with lifelike shiny eyes.  I’m a fan of matte or satin spray finish to seal and protect in light layers.

Medallions are super special as their own unique art form, and deserve proper preparation for your painting adventure!  I am excited to see what pieces are created and delight in the variety of breeds, colors, and markings we will see.

Happy Prepping!  See you in May!

Salute to lifelong hobbyists: Chris Flint!

Our hobby is awesome in that it can last a lifetime - we have kids, young adults, mid-older generation  people and there is something for everyone!!!

We are also lucky to have talented artists and generous people - I will try to highlight one once in awhile as they touch so many of us!

Chris Flint (Beau Cheveaux Creations) is an amazing lady!
http://www.boshevo.com/
Her website details her creations and history, and she just sent a lovely box of donations for May Medallion Madness!  She also has involvement with real harness ponies.  Some time ago I sent her a Vintage early creation of hers (Sterling Silver a QH) and was gifted a lovely bay Arabian plaque.  To be dedicated in her art for several decades has proven  to be fruitful - many quality customs and Resins, earlier saddles and also contribution to our hobby in the form of sharing customizing secrets through her book.

My Stable is proudly home to a lovely palomino resin and this rich bay mini.
Her buttery soft finishwork in oils has proven itself in the show ring and I would LOVE to find a
C. Marie resin!  Check out Chris’ archives and offerings - you won’t be disappointed!

                                       

Come join Medallion Madness on Blab - you just may win a Beau Cheveau of your own!

Crazy Cat Lady?

Nah, just forming a clowder of cats as every barn seems to have varied domestic shorthair kitties.  Mind you, not too many purebreds or longhair types, and the veterinarian dolls have agreed to SPAY/NEUTER them all!  What model barn scene photos would be complete without a photobombing feline or three?

(I admit there are more...Breyer and other...) Goal was a variety of colors & poses!

I’d love to find some laying down/snoozing scale cats - let me know if you have any!

Cartoony vs. Realistic

I appreciate good humor.  I also love animals.  When it comes to humorous depictions of animals, it can really make us smile or laugh. This has always been alive and well in both the art world and in scale modeling.  My collections have shifted more toward the realistic, but I can appreciate the silly, cartoonish, caricature stylings as well.  I am not huge into fantasy creatures, but can appreciate their beauty and the creative imaginations that depict them.  After all, miniatures and scale modeling is fantasy in and of itself!  I have always viewed it at striving to create realism in miniature, but scale is scale and the realms of reality and fantasy are two different worlds.

What do YOU prefer?  More realistic or a percentage of silly or fantasy?

Rabbithole: Buffalo/Bison

So in thinking about this animal (also the recent Breyer microrun and small scale animals...), I started thinking performance setups and research.  This is how falling down the rabbithole happens!

First off was the images and distant knowledge in my head based on art and history learning:

Then understanding the real critters themselves...

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjYu92oiprhAhVGwYMKHepaDcQQzPwBegQIARAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.britannica.com%2Fstory%2Fwhats-the-difference-between-bison-and-buffalo&psig=AOvVaw2xwJGlJWU8tymELN4-EOuo&ust=1553492941400128

And how that looks today, along with scale reference and breeds...





Pretty cool!  Both written and visual information gave me plenty of fodder to work with.  Added to the virtual and mental databases!

Rabbithole: Food Photography

I am not usually one to photograph my meals, but sometimes cannot resist documentation of a delectable dish plated and ready to be savored.  This post is just a reminder that it can be okay to be cliche, and that merely thinking about a topic can then lead to going down a rabbithole of reading, research, and study.  I have an ongoing list of random topics that this happens with, and the food photography thought was just one inspiration that then led to a couple hours.  This also relates to photography in general and then even more topics.  I don’t mind that a bit!

This was an amazing burger with peanut butter, bacon, waffle chips, and raspberry chipotle sayce!  Unique and delectable, and a wild combination of flavors and textures.  Unexpected, just like those rabbithole journeys.  Happy weekend!

Signs of Spring

Vernal Equinox was this week, and I have seen my first robin.  The dogs and I are looking forward to warmer weather, and today brought the first flowers!  They will stay inside at night, but they seem happy.  Enjoy!!!

A Salute to Copperfox (and Dreams!)

It’s been said that we are not given the power to wish without also being given the power to make it come true.  Many of us are Dreamers, and we work hard to make things come true.  Opportunities are created in a myriad of ways, but effort and a little luck often lead to success.  When help comes in the form of community support, the results can be nothing short of amazing, and a successful example of crowdfunding in modeldom is the Copperfox company.  Using Kickstarter, a small but mighty company was launched that brought us some lovely molds and quality models over several
years.  Here is my “Founding Fox” Connemara (who had better dappling than most), and I will always treasure my little copper fox pin!

Several molds were produced and finished in various colorways to represent British breeds.  Here they are depicted as mini Resins (produced by Seunta).

                                      

While production costs proved to become too much, the concept of high quality was maintained and eventually the decision was made to end their production.  Whether the molds will be utilized in the future remains to be seen.  We were lucky to have a dream realized.
                                  

“What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”  Keep dreaming big and working to make them come true!

Decisions, decisions...

On that Medallion Mania! Note...there is mayhem in the form of May Medallion Madness to be planned for.  We are getting some amazing donations!  I need to choose from a plethora of lovely prospects in various stages of prepwork.  I have large and small, and possible side projects like these Moody Magnets from the 90’s...

To my latest lovely: the Frida (named for Frida Kahlo) Medallion I was awarded for NaMoPaiMo!

                                                 

Who will YOU be painting?  What colors/markings do you plan on???  Decisions, decisions...

Battle Cries!

We have diehard Of collectors, performance junkies, aficionados of a particular breed or discipline...the model horse hobby caters to many a niche interest!
While I admit to penchant for certain things (dapple gray, jumping models, matte finish vs. gloss, certain artists/brands/breeds/what-have-you) it is often more common to subscribe to something like saying I conga Lady Phase and Halla (I do) or I dig minis (also true.). Love me some G1 Love molds.  Appreciate Hunter/Jumper/Dressage English disciplines.  Seem to hoard dilute Quarter Horses.  Want typey, quality Lippitt Morgans.  Stickler for ABCs.  Haven’t kept up on “current” collectibility, the statements go on.

A couple main ones reverberate - VIVA LA VINTAGE and MICRO POWER!

Anyone who has shown with me knows I cherish and support the world of “R/R/H” or Vintage Customs (often considered Pre 2000).  Check out Vintage Custom Model Equine Center & Sarah Mink’s homage to the customs of yesteryear!  Many of us harbor a soft spot for these treasured pieces.  They are getting their due and making a comeback in the show ring.

I maintain a lovely show string along with memories...here is RAS Muscofir done by Rae Ann Sneathen, sold to another collector.  I still have foals RAS Shazam and RAS Shahdorable.

                                      

It is no secret I am also more than a little keen on micro minis.  Between tiny HO scale figures and Creata/Stable Stars/Mini Whinnies and the lovely tiny pewter and resin castings, I am hooked.

Here is Maggie Bennett’s new Sallie, one of many adored micros to join my massive herd.

I suppose that leaves me with one more obsession to cheer on: MEDALLION MANIA!
This May will host Medallion Madness and the opportunity to paint “clothes” on a deserving “nekkid” bas-relief.  I know shows are offering more classes for busts/medallions.  Should be a blast!

“Blast From the Past”

Taking a walk down memory lane in any hobby or interest shines a light on the changes (good and bad!) that have happened over the years.  I remember studying my bi-monthly JAH that would feature a (then!) vintage mold and its history.  I will always have a soft spot for old Hess Molds!

I may not collect as much OF these days, but I can still salute some of the pieces of history.  My collection retains older minis and a few others, but some have moved on, like these twin Hong Kong pony foals that were once part of my “carpet herd”...

                                     

Always liked the old. Clydesdales and played with a blanketed Mare and Foal set received after visiting the doctor in the early 80’s.  Had this lovely chalky guy and a nicely shaded guy with eyewhites and gold bobs.  Both went to collector homes where they are loved and appreciated.  Only my Charcoal Mare remains, perhaps a Foal body...

I will be sure to visit various older Breyers and such here from time to time.  Have a great week everyone!

Top O’ the Mornin’ to ye!

Well, it’s last year’s photo, but the yard looked better!  Happy St. Patrick’s day to all our friends!

Also wearin’ the green and keeping my Irish Eyes Smilin’ is Orbit - one of my amazing grand-Dogs!

Hope everybody enjoys corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, green beer, shamrock shakes, & good cheer!

Toy Horses

Really, they are all toys.  Art, too.  But once in awhile I will revisit the more cartoony representations, the silly models, the members of my original “carpet herd”, and models of yesteryear.  Some are long gone, sold to other collectors or given to children.  Some remain in my stable to this day.  All have

 one thing in common - memories attached.

Here are my old Tomy Wind-Ups.  I had created tiny saddle blankets and a box lid that formed a “racetrack” as my childhood Anything Goes entry...(this at Marney’s 1989 Congress!)

These are Penny’s Pony Club figures - some very funny caricatures that had their own personalities to my grade school imagination.  Pretty sure I even had names and pedigrees figured out on them!

Plenty of Hong Kong models and Barbie horses brought joy as well.  Even Brenda and her friends were treated to an apartment in my closet shelves.  What toys do you have fond memories of?