Skip to main content

A Shout Out to Passion Projects


If you have tried to sign up for one of the live shows hosted by Breyer during Breyerfest, you know about the technical snafu that postponed the registration date. 

This got me thinking about all of the websites, video channels, Facebook groups, and Instagram posts that I frequent in the hobby. Not to mention the live shows I love to attend.

From Identify Your Breyer to Model Horse Place to Model Horse University these passion projects are huge undertakings. Hosting a live show takes months of planning. And unlike the big guys, these projects are operated by a few people if not a single individual. Hosting a website, recording a podcast, writing a blog, taking photographs, and filming videos all take skill. Some of these projects have affordable subscription options, live shows have entry fees, and some websites are free. There's not a lot of money flowing around. No one is making a living doing these things.

Yet, as an artist selling model horses, I have piggybacked my sales onto Model Horse Place, Model Horse Connection/MH$P, and moderated Facebook Groups. I sell models at live shows. I learn new things from videos, look up information on websites. I have benefited from these opportunities.

Technology has gotten more complex since Haynet and Haynet Exchange, so sometimes websites go down or technical difficulties clog the gears. Even for the big guys.

So if you are one of the passion project hobbyists, thank you for everything! Thanks for the effort, the time, the years of hard work. You are awesome. You make our hobby an awesome place.

 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

New Pan Pastels - An Update

A little while back I posted a photo of my new Pan Pastel colors. I've gotten a chance to use them, and have found them quite handy.      First, these colors are all useful—which is not something I say about many of the Pan Pastel colors because they are not all well suited for horses. The orange shade looks a little odd at first, but once it's part of the coat it softens to a nice, bright addition to chestnuts, palominos, buckskins and bays. I think of is as more of a golden tone than orange when the model is finished.      Second, they are easy to use—no sandpaper palette needed, no huge-jar-o-dust waiting to spill. The pans work with both paintbrushes and Microbrush applicators for small details like leg bars and dorsal stripes.     Third, the colors work well together and blend well. For example, on this model I used the Burnt Sienna Extra Dark to deepen a few areas I had dusted with the Burnt Sienna Shade. So... thes...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Golden bay in Pan Pastels

I thought I'd share a bit of my process. I'm working in Pan Pastels. The model in question is a simple custom Morgan Stallion from the new standing Stablemate Warmblood mold. He has had some work done on his barrel and hindquarters. His mane and tail have been changed as well.  I prepped him with Rustoleum 2X primer in white and taped off some white markings with blue painters tape. Feel free to follow along and paint your own golden bay or liver chestnut.  A Pan Pastel Project Art Supplies Shopping list: A model with sanded seams and logo removed 400 Grit Sandpaper Masking or painters tape (optional) Rustolem 2X Primer Pan Pastels: 280.3 Orange Shade, 820.2 Neutral Grey Extra Dark (or other neutral grey), Layer 3: 740.3 Burnt Sienna Shade, 740.1 Burnt Sienna Extra Dark, 800.5 Black. Pan Pastel optional colors for shading mane, tail, and white markings: Optional fleshy pink pastel or paint for a pink nose or shading white markings. Krylon Matte, Testor's Dullcote, or other ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Performance Bases with Kinetic Sand

I am getting ready for the Save The Tigers Model Horse Show on Saturday, and I thought I'd spiff up my performance entries a little with arena bases. My goals here were to keep to a small budget and a manageable size. For the first one, I found a wall hanging at Walmart—a picture frame without glass or a matte for about $5.00. I removed the hook from the back so it would lie flat on the table and a clip from the front. I also found a 3 lb. bag of kinetic sand for $13.00. (Regular sand can be done, but I usually make a mess of it.) Honestly, I'm a little worried about sand scratching my models, but it does look neat. The fence is made of hobby wood (the small Popsicle sticks) and is removable for easy, flat storage. It stands 1 3/4 inches above the edge of the arena. Just a note, I steer clear of balsa wood because it is so fragile. Picture frame base about 6 x 8.5 inches. 3 lbs of kinetic sand isn't a lot. Quick! Unlike regular sand, kinetic sand h...
Post a Comment
Read more