The Art of Modeling 203

[StephenLawson]

I have been wanting to do this class for a looonnngggg time. Truth be told I have been monitoring the hub-bub with the USA IPMS and was waiting until they came to some sort of conclusion as to whether or not I would start this. My most recent IPMS journal says that '...some people would rather not have ulcers so we're not running letters to the editor anymore...' So it appears some people can't take or accept the thinking that a hobby can become an art. (How in the world did they miss 'The Psychology of Modeling 201' and the 'Poetry of Modeling 301.' ) While I do not consider myself an artist there are people that like what I do. I have sold some of my pieces and I do some writing on the subject that gets a bit of notoriety. If we are to believe what a real artist has to say then lets see what well known aviation artist Jim Dietz says, ‘... the process of creating a realistic painting is like describing how a magic trick is done. Once the process is understood the viewer is apt to say,”Oh is that all there is to it?”... “They are to fulfill my own desires.”

Sounds like most modelers to me. While you and I may not see eye to eye in this I would like to encourage free rant on ths topic. I would however like to encourage that we give each othe basic courtesies.

I started this in the off topic thread to get a feel for some surface impressions. To begin with what about model making, building and displaying can be called an art? What about it can't be considered art? Before you go too far let me tell you that I've seen a wooden ship that is worth about $250,000.00 USD sitting in the attic of the Govenor's mansion here in Colorado. To be more specific its old and ragged and to refinish it would only lessen its value.. Yet, I have seen one unbuilt model - mint in the box going for $1,000.00 USD.

[PeterL]

Modeling absolutely is an art form! Some might snear at it as merely "representational", but all art starts that way and then gets mucked about. As well as making models I also paint; It's the same buzz. I paint because I am driven to it. I make models for the same reason. The creative urge is what makes art, art. Just look at the number of threads we've had on "Modellers Block". That's about inspiration or the lack of it. That's art.

I'll never be a great painter or the worlds greatest modeller (pretty good cook though ), and the truth is I've probably peaked at a level just a couple of cranks above painting by numbers in both persuits, but just you try and stop me when the muse strikes.

[drIace]

I'm not so sure that the reason for not printing letters to the editor solely has to do with the argument about modeling as being art. Possibly more to do with the inate back and forth that it seems to result in, spurious arguments back and forth as some just want to keep the pot boiling.

Seems neither "side" wants to accept facts, rather keeping only as to their particular narrow view, who seem to think their sacred ox is being gored. Fueled by a narcistic desire to see their "deathless prose" immortalized by it's appearance in the 'letters' section of the publication as the "final word".

It is a hobby, a disciplined skill that needs to be aquired and an art all at the same time. When all three of these legs, like the three legs of a triangle, are done well you have a truley magnificant piece to behold.

Take a Remington ( both paintings and Sculptures), a Rembrandt, a Dega, a Goya, a Renoir, ad infinitum.... required all three of those legs to be what they are ( do you really think any of their first pieces look what you see in museums and private collections today!!!!)

It reminds me of the following quote:... "when critics get together they "argue" over who is the best artist; when artists get together they ask each other where to get the best turpentine...".

Now at contests it is a bit different, after all it is a competition and especially at the NATS you have plenty of categories so that apples are going against apples. The 'winners' are those that complete all three legs of the triangle. And in my 33+ years experience, those who complain the most about not 'winning' are those that wish to look at or only consider just one leg of the triangle, ignoring ( even when politely pointed out) the obvious lack in the other 2; and those who fail to learn those lessons are doomed to repeat their failures. End of my discussion on this.

[Rob_Owens]

Ed, "Take a Remmington. . ."?? Yeah, Bud, preferably the 870 Pump!!! Your remarks are well taken. So The Masters didn't have "Paint by Number," (e.g. a "kit ") it's all about the result, not the medium. Rob

[JohnReid]

I think that we all take this art thing too seriously.Why cant we just enjoy what we do and let it go at that.In the end it really doesnt matter, just be creative and follow your instincts.If doors seem to open to you easily then I beleive that you are on the right trail.If you do art only for money or ego or recognition you are bound to be disappointed. Art is none of that. I beleive that art is that little creative voice in all of us .Artists are just people who have had the courarge to try,to risk being a beginner again,to conquer the fear of failure.Art gives us permission to be children again and see the world in a different light. Anyway thats my story and i am sticking with it. Now goodnite from this 63 year old artist/child.Cheers! John.

[topgun56]

Right on John,

I think most of the great artists only painted so they could live in great cities, chase beautiful women (" I'm an artist" ) and drink.. After all, most of them didn't become famous until they were dead.

I met a guy in the toy dept of WalMart....where they sell models.....who told me he had 300 unbuilt kits at home. So I came home and counted my unbuilt kits.......I got scared after 500, and stopped counting.

I have found model building to be addictive. But it is in some ways art or an art....and not everyones cup of tea......but then I can't play the piano.

[StephenLawson]

In my humble opinion art is 'creativity expressed.' Usually it is defined by its viewer according to his or her personal views and values. While its not a commodity to be weighted in the stock market, art sells because the viewer identifies with the expression. There is an artist who peeks in here that is also a well known collector of WWI art. This artist's achievements are noted in video and one of the most popular series of films to date. One soon to be released. He collects WWI replica aircraft, paintings and has commissioned another artist to do a large 3 panel rendering of a German Fokker D.VII Jasta and British Se 5a squadron locked in combat.

Whether its tatoos, cartoons, animae, Michaelangelo or Picaso I concur with PeterL that modeling is an art form. As always its best that we don't take ourselves too seriously and scream and yell over the correct colors of lozenge. But I must say, what was Techmode thinking? Ok, ok to be serious. Its great to be fact based. Its great to replicate a piece of history that previously you did not have. When it comes to dioramas judges first ask themselves is this probable? But when you provide a photo of the actual incident this lends credence to your work. This is a case where facts or real life is proven to be imitated by art In early times (Ginger can probably relate to this ) when cameras didn't exist they recreated battles in large format paintings. Today we recreate machines and men in plastic and resin. Anyone care to guess how much a doodle on a bistro napkin by Ernst Udet would go for?

In reality 'popular art' or mainstream you can hang in your front living room. Some other art forms are not quite so well accepted. I know a fellow who is a Batman fanatic. He spent real money on a vinyl Batman Costume and hands candy out to children at the local mall every year. He goes to hospitals and visits sick children. He has a room that he has had the walls rock faced (vinyl) and calls the Batcave. In this room he has about 75,000.00 USD worth of Batman memorabilia on display. His current project is converting a Corvette into...you guessed it, the Batmobile. Here at the 'drome we have had people that believe themselves to be the reincarnation of MvR his self. Most modelers don't go that far or deep. We model to satisfy ourselves. This satisfaction can be personal or the approaval of others and few of us build to sell. I just wish I could afford some of the art that is out there. I could spend $ on a print or paybills. Well if we're smart we pay the bills first...

[StephenLawson]

The one outstanding feature or similarity between painter, sculptors and modelers is we love to observe our subjects.

[PeterL]

Originally posted by Barker@Dec 2 2003, 01:43 AM
[b]
Why is it no one dresses up like Herman Goering? In either incarnation?

What ever can you mean? Mrs L does it all the time! And very fetching she looks too.

[StephenLawson]

What ever can you mean? Mrs L does it all the time! And very fetching she looks too.[/quote]
Yeah and thanks to you PeterL she's begging for a pink hula skirt to wear with the outfit <_<