NaMoPaiMo and News

Here's a bit of news from the studio for this past week or so.

A few days ago, I wandered through a few stores in town, including an antique mall that I had forgotten about, and my favorite used book store.  In the antique mall, I found a bunch of Breyer and Heartland horses scattered around, and I ended up buying this appaloosa FAM: 

She was in the best shape of the other HSOs (horse-shaped objects) and also the lowest price.  The old Family Arabians bring back nostalgia for me.  They were among some of the, well played with, herd I was given, which started my collection.  Someday, I hope to get Starlight, the Vintage Club Yasmin in that same color. 

Other recent new arrivals are Firefly and Hawkeye, standing behind the FAM.  I had fully intended to repaint them, but they are very nice.  It's not like I don't have a ton of other projects right now, so that's far from a priority.

I ended up taking on a commission for a western pleasure saddle pad, using these colors of floss.

I'm very excited for this project.  The doll that it is being made to match is a favorite of mine, ever since I saw the initial post about her from the doll maker.  After creating the pattern, based on a real pad the owner likes, stitching is well underway.  

Speaking of commissions, I'm also working on the second micro mini scale Chagu Chagu Ummako (Jingle horse) set, which was ordered by a friend.

I braided more thread and made more fringe.  Also started cutting out fabric strips.  We chatted on Skype and she liked these colors, red and blue.  

On the left here is the horse this one is being made for.  He is "Robin", sculpted by Horse and Bird Studio.  On the right is the first set I made, in front of the in progress stablemate Arabian regalia set.  Which suddenly looks big here.

Another bit of news is that I signed up for NaMoPaiMo.  This is the 6th year and I've been in every one.  I actually came close to deciding to skip this one.  I wasn't sure I was up to it.  Though I'm planning to go to BreyerWest at the end of the month and could CERTAINLY use the motivation and an "excuse" to be in the studio right now.

I chose to paint a traditional resin, Yerokayannie - or "Annie", from Hanna Bear of Bear Carousel.  As soon as she had arrived here last year, I decided I wanted to paint her as an appaloosa.  In particular, a varnish roan.  This is a color I've never done before, but I think I have a plan.  

First order of business, yesterday, was a bath for her.  Well, the first was actually a bit of prep, mostly some seam sanding.  Then I decided to get some primer on her, before continuing with prep, but she needed a scrub down first.

I reeeally didn't feel like doing the selfie this time around.  It's not a requirement, and I really don't like having my picture taken (by me or anyone), AND I'm perpetually tired these days.  In the end I did it anyway.  This was the best attempt, I thought.

Last night, she was primed.  This picture was after one side had been done.  

I love the effect that happens when one side is done and the lightest hint of primer spray comes around to the other side.  It's something I often take pictures of.

She's fully primed now and waiting in the studio for prepping to continue.

While I was at it, I decided to wash and prime a pile of medallions...
 

...and a few micro minis.  

Not the best pictures, I use the dank cellar as a spray booth.  I'm happy to have that option in the winter, the lighting just isn't great for pictures.  I may end up using a few of those as test pieces for Annie.  Most will end up being future sales pieces.

I'm happy it's (finally) February, but that means it's really time to get busy!
 

2019 Custom Horses To Come

This isn't so much of a "New Year's Resolution" list as it is just me wanting to get all of these organized on a list and I thought: why not share it?  

The first batch are those with deadlines, afterwards are some lose ideas I've got rattling around at the top layer of the bottomless pit of ideas...


MEPSA Makeover 
Deadline: February 15th
The mold for this time is Lady Phase.  My idea is for her to be a racehorse, full gallop, because, why not?  Is she started yet...?  Hahahahaha...  no.


NaMoPaiMo
Start: February 1st
Deadline: February 28th
I'll be painting my Kitty Cantrell Chincoteague Pony mare resin as a palomino tobiano.  She needs quite a bit of prep..  I really should get going on that.

MEPSA Mini Contest
Deadline: March 31st
I think I'll most likely do a couple for this, but no idea yet who.



Meows And Minis 
Deadline: early August
I wanted to donate some custom minis last year, but didn't.  This year I'd like to do at least one.



Others, non deadline:


Copy Cat Custom
I've loved the idea of this since I first heard about it, but have not yet started my own.  Here's the Facebook group for it: The Copy Cat Custom Project.


Talbuk
A fun idea I've had for a little while and something I've been thinking about a lot lately.  A Talbuk is an antelope-like creature in World of Warcraft.  Several of them have been made into mounts that the player can ride and one of those (the white one pictured) is my favorite ground mount for my main character.  I've always loved the way they look and I worked long and hard on the quest chain that allowed purchase of the mounts as soon as I could.

Original Sculpture(s) 
I have a large classic Thoroughbred stallion in the works - barely started, been that way for years...

Many, many years ago I started a SM scale cutting calf.  Would like to maybe work on that again.

Possibly I'll try to do a medallion or two?


Smoky, started for ICEE
Ah yes, my ICEE project who was not to be....  I had put a coat of primer on him after this picture, contemplated doing a rush job to finish him, decided no.  So he's in the holding pattern herd.

Nameless, faceless, hordes
Then there's, um, the fact that I'll be back stateside this summer/fall and finally able to go to some shows again.  (!!!!!!!!!!)  I reeeeally want to have a fresh new show string and not keep trotting out my oldies.  I love them, but... I sorely need some new faces in the herd.


That does mean that right in the middle of all of this, life will be uprooted by another big 'round the world MOVE and most all of my horses, supplies, and so on, will be in transit for a few months.

I really need to plan ahead and around that.


Okay, time to stop typing, daydreaming, and get to work.  Or go take a nap.  Ha!

New Addition - A Wee Vanner Stallion

Last week another member was added to the herd. 

He is Grantchester, from Horsing Around in the UK.  I found a "second" copy of him on the sales pages and snatched him up.  There's something about him I really liked.  It took him a little while to make the journey 'round the world, but when he got here, I was delighted to see him in person!

I'm not sure yet what color he will be.  As a Vanner, I first thought of the classic black and white tobiano, but there are SO many more colors to choose from that would work; I could have all sorts of fun with this guy.

I really need to stay away from the sales pages...

Ha!

Littler Things and Bigger Things

The biggest news for this post is that two (raw) copies of Sarah Rose's Mini Khemosabi resin landed here today!  They weathered the trip to Japan very nicely and are out stretching their legs in the studio.

I've long admired her work and I'm so happy to finally have a couple of small pieces of it.  I think it is so cool that she has been making small versions of her highly popular Traditional scale resin horses.

From making ponies smaller, we move to...  making saddle stands bigger!

That was one task I accomplished today:

During my visit to my friend Jennifer last month, I discovered that my saddle stand design is a bit too small (mostly too short) for Western saddles (oops!)  Of course, I might know this if I ever finished my Rio Rondo saddle kit that I started...  years ago.  I did use what I have of it (lower skirt, fenders, and stirrups) to help decide just how much I needed to embiggen the design.

A bit of time in the software, a prepped board fed to the laser, some wood glue, and clamping later, I had a prototype for saddle stand version two - or what will be the Western saddle stand.  It is roughly 3/4" taller and almost 1/2" longer than the original version.

In other news:

I had a request today for a saddle stand in a custom color scheme that I think will be very fun to make!

Also, I will be moving plans to experiment with the laser and leather (cutting out saddle pieces, anyone??) to the short term list.

Also, also...  Jeff declared today that he will be ordering a 3-D printer.  (eee!)  That's been on his list for some time now.  He had one on order during a Black Friday sale last year, but they oversold them and refunded his order.  He was quite sad, but it appears they are back in stock.

Oh, the ideas!

I Did It

The cry of triumph on the NaMoPaiMo Facebook group when one finishes their model is: "I did it!"  


It took me all the way up until the last day, but..  I did it!  I worked off and on at his prep work all month and painted him on..  the last day.

I'm happy, and relieved, to present Antar ("hero, strong one, warrior").  He is an "Anubis" resin, sculpted by Sheri Rhodes and painted by me.

The other thing I accomplished is a presentation set for him.  This is, officially, the very first completed piece of Arabian tack that I've done.  

I'd like to eventually do write up on here about Antar's creation; I took a bunch of pictures during the 12 hour painting session yesterday.  However, I couldn't wait to share him on here.

Newest Member of the Herd

A few days ago, a new horse joined the herd here in Japan!  I wanted to wait to announce his arrival until he'd had his first photo shoot at the beach.  Today was the day.

I'm happy to present, "Anubis", sculpted by Sheri Rhodes.

Much like Chewie who arrived before him, I think I already have a color picked out for him.  However, like Chewie, he might stay "nekkid" for a while.  We'll see...

What is that color?  I'm leaning toward black.  I've always had a thing for black Arabians.  Also, one of the biggest reasons I bought him was to be a model for Arabian costumes.  Black would make a lot of colors "pop".

I'd love to take this guy around on tours of Japan, but he's quite a bit less portable than little Chewie.  He's a full Traditional scale, Chewie is a Little Bit.  ;)

Chewie's Big Adventure - Chapter One

A certain chunky little guy made his way across the ocean to Japan two months ago.

He is "Chewie", sculpted by Rayvin Brewer of Khrysalis Studios.

He wasted no time, going to the beach of the Pacific ocean, just a couple of days after his arrival.

A couple of weeks ago, he traveled to Osorezan, a very sacred place.

Osorezan is also known as the "Gates of Hell" and it is volcanically active.  There were many bubbling pools, strong smells, and steam vents in the area.

Chewie chose to pose by the lake, instead of one of the hot bubbling pools with the strong sulpher smell.

However, he did find a streak of sulpher in a stream that flows into the lake

His next trip was to the "Strong Horse Iron Pull" event last weekend.

He watched the races.  "That looks like hard work..."

And he got a little closer to a horse that sort of resembled him in chunky stature.  (also wearing the same clothes he himself will most likely be wearing!)

Just yesterday, he visited the "Jingle Jangle Horses" after their parade.

He really does look "naked" right now, compared to them in all of their elaborate costumes.

He had to get a closer look at all of the strange things they were wearing.

After a long day, there's nothing better than a rest in the shade.

At both of the horse events, the pull and the parade, he was noticed and admired by Japanese horse people.  I offered him for them to look at.  He was passed around and inspected, with approving noises and smiles.  I wish I had pictures of that, hopefully I'll get the chance to get a picture of it during one of his next outings.

I'm sure little Chewie will have many more Japanese adventures to share in the future, one of which will be when he is painted!

New Faces - Resin

After my day in the studio with Candace Liddy, I did a bit of shopping - picking up several resins to have fun with.  Most of what I bought were on sale for being raw castings and having missing parts.  (yay for budget resin shopping!)  I thought it would be fun to snap some pictures of them to share the several new faces here!

The first couple are from her Zebra series, Stablemate scale, they were named after cat foods. 

This is Nine Lives, she sadly has NO feet:

Next up is Whiskas, she's only missing part of one leg:

Then we have Zuba..  I think she's one of the zebras too, but I'm actually not 100% sure.  (I don't recognize that as a cat food..?)  She's missing the same leg as Whiskas:

Moving on, and up in scale, we have Epitome.  She's a stock horse mare, Little Bit scale I think.  She's missing her back feet:

Next is Amisha, gorgeous, gorgeous Amisha.  She's missing one back foot and the tip of an ear.  She is a Little Bit Marwari mare: (she's already a favorite of mine, if you can't tell by my introduction...)

The only one I bought who was is intact and cleaned up is this one.  He is Mini Mulan, a stunning little Friesian stallion, Stablemate scale.  I HAD to have him:

He is a looker from any angle:

I love his action pose and flying hair:

So, there they are!  My wee little resin collection went from just 3 to 9 in no time!  ;)  I'm looking forward to working on these little ones and I'm hoping I'll be able to put a little time into them before our big move.  I also have to stock up on packing materials now for my more fragile additions to the herd.  I'm thinking I'll be getting some foam for the first time, that seems to be the stuff to use.

The only one I left out on my computer desk, for now, is Amisha.  I love her action pose and the fact that she seems to be demanding to know when I'll fix her and get her painted.  Maybe not for a little while, pretty girl, but it will happen!  There are SO many awesome color possibilities for a Marwari...  She will be fun.  :)