Friday Question #16

[Twokidsnosleep]

I missed a Friday, a bit preoccupied with January, super low mojo for my modelling projects and work

So this Friday’s set of questions is centered around modelling motives

1. What does modelling do for you? Is it mental help, artistic, calming, obsession, is it an escape?
2. What drives you to model a certain topic or subject?
3. Have you ever wanted to quit or have you quit modelling for a period?Why?
4. Do you get periods of low desire to model? Low mojo. How do you get over it?
5. What is the coolest or most inspirational miniature/model/replica you have seen?
6. Was there a modeller who influenced you as a kid? Do others in your family model or do artistic stuff?

[Tomcat64]

Interesting set of questions this week, I'll take a swipe at them but may come back and edit them when I've pondered some more...

1. What does modelling do for you? Is it mental help, artistic, calming, obsession, is it an escape?
I spend most of my working life in front a computer, so modelling is something practical/creative for me away from the virtual world. It's not an obsession as me & Mrs Tomcat are lucky to have a lot of other interests so we don't obsess about any of them in the way that we see some people do. It's certainly a mental aid but I have to be in the right mood in order to enjoy it and know well enough to walk away when I'm not in the right mood.

2. What drives you to model a certain topic or subject?
My interest in technology primarily and although I'm mainly an armour builder I will also build aircraft, cars, sci-fi and apparently locomotives. I'm fascinated by the technical advances that took place during WW2 and find those subjects most compelling as it's a period of history when the world order really did hang in the balance. I also love aircraft of all periods although modelling them always seems to throw up unexpected challenges and am looking forward to getting back to air shows if the world settles down a bit.

3. Have you ever wanted to quit or have you quit modelling for a period?Why?
No, not really completely quit, although like most people I do go through periods where I find it tough to get to the bench for a variety of external reasons. The back end of last year was a case in point where stress from work coupled with illness left me feeling disinclined to do much at all.

4. Do you get periods of low desire to model? Low mojo. How do you get over it?
Yep definitely, and as mentioned in the answer above it's generally due to external factors although having a build bog down will also make me less inclined to go back to it. Interestingly I don't ever seem to hit a low point between builds, it's always when there's something part completed on the bench. I freely admit it's the building stage that gives me the most pleasure so I'll often get bogged down at the painting/weathering stage. I know myself well enough to know when to leave it alone and that I'll go back to the bench with a clearer head when those external factors are back in their cans and I can enjoy the hobby - the week between Christmas and the New Year was a good watershed for me this year.

5. What is the coolest or most inspirational miniature/model/replica you have seen?
I can't remember anything specific but I was definitely influenced by the diorama work of Sheperd Paine & Francois Verlinden that used to appear annually in the Tamiya catalogues back in the day. More recently there have been some awesome builds on this forum and I take inspiration & ideas from many of them so thanks gents

6. Was there a modeller who influenced you as a kid? Do others in your family model or do artistic stuff?
With regards to influences aside from the two gents mentioned above then no. Nobody in my immediate family was a modeller although my brother dabbled; it was my Dad that got me into the hobby for which I'm eternally grateful even though he wasn't a modeller himself & getting back into building was part of my coping process after he passed away in 2010. My brother & wife both paint miniature figures and mum has always dabbled in various crafting activities (anyone remember the pin & thread artworks that were all the rage in the 70s?)

[DRUMS01]

1. What does modelling do for you? Is it mental help, artistic, calming, obsession, is it an escape?

Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes. I guess you would say that modeling is a therapeutic way to express my artistic desires in a calming way to help manage my OCD / obsession and just for a moment escape from daily obligations or stressors. Seriously, it is one of my numerous hobbies that help keep my life balanced. It really is not any kind of obsession, as I try to balance my life much like a pie cut in slices. Each slice varies in size depending on the subject. But for my life to feel balanced I have to be able to fit all of the necessary slices into one round pie. If one slice (subject) grows out of proportion it will take up the space need for the other items. Consequently, those other items slices will then shrink causing a negative balance of the pie. Modeling represents just one of my many slices to balance that pie.

2. What drives you to model a certain topic or subject?

Interest in the subject; a past history with or of the subject; inspiration from people here in the forum or at a model show, a desire acquire something in scale that I always wanted, etc.

3. Have you ever wanted to quit or have you quit modeling for a period? Why?

I've never wanted to "quit" modeling ever. Only three occasions over the past 50 years slowed my modeling time: (1) military basic, skills training, and some deployments, (2) during certain college or professional certification education and testing, (3) for a time after my special needs handicapped son was born, diagnosed, and care plan was created.

4. Do you get periods of low desire to model? Low mojo. How do you get over it?

I have never met someone who didn't have modeling down time. Some people I've met lost the desire during this long pandemic. Others after a move, health issues, divorce, death in the family, even just general unhappiness or frustration with thier last modeling experience, etc. There are countless reasons for a low desire to model, after all it is a hobby for most all of us, not anything life or death. I rarely have had this problem as I always consider it a mental, artistic, calming, escape. The only reasons I can remember are listed in the answer for question 3.

5. What is the coolest or most inspirational miniature/model/replica you have seen?

I cannot list just one. It is usually a person who not only researches it to the exact detail, but also has the means and skill to replicate those details exactly in scale from scratch. Some of those that come to mind are a person who has built several Porsche race cars from factory plans using plastic, metal, 3d resin, and anything else you can imagine. When finished they truly look like a 1:1 scale car, his are 1:8th. Another that comes to mind built models several years ago, lived in Europe, and created World War 2 aircraft in metal from complete scratch. They have literally every item of a 1:1 aircraft, to include moving flight surfaces from the cockpit controls. Last one that comes to mind was a fellow who build large scale wooden ship models from various wood and metal fittings all created off of ships drawings totally from scratch, not a laser cut ship kit with cast brass parts, his were all 100%, a true master. I wish I remember their names, but that happens with age; I still remember the images though. Still others are members of this and other modeling forums I frequent. Many of you have motivated me into getting involved out of my modeling comfort zone and I've been all the happier for it.

6. Was there a modeller who influenced you as a kid? Do others in your family model or do artistic stuff?

Back in the 70's it would've been Shepard Payne building his Monogram dioramas. I also agree with Tomcat that Verlinden was a pioneer in the resin casting and diorama field in the 80's. Even younger, in the 60's, my older brother was quite the prolific modeler mostly with automobiles. He went on to be an Industrial Engineer. Now he restores 1:1 antique tractors and vintage motorcycles in his own professional shop on his farm. Last time I checked he had 17 restored tractors from just about any manufacturer. He recently built a beautiful stable for his 47 iron horses (motorcycles). My wife is good at several crafts but the one that impresses me most is her ability to paint figures and objects on blank canvas with oils. I remember a few she said she was creating for me but gifted them away once completed (sad face). Those were a spitfire coming down through the clouds to attack an aerial foe, another was a WW2 corsair vectoring in on an enemy. She also completed a very large painting of the Civil War charge at either Bull Run or Antietam which hangs framed in our dining room. My mom was always really good at drawing and painting floral subjects when I was young, but my dad was only good at drinking a lot of beer.....

[RangerNeil]

My stab at the answers:

1. What does modelling do for you? Is it mental help, artistic, calming, obsession, is it an escape?

Fairly equal mix of mental help, calming and escape really. The OH thinks I have PTSD in some form and modelling does make me calm by providing an escape from life. All I know is that I enjoy it.

2. What drives you to model a certain topic or subject?

Interest in a topic... I've always loved rotary wing aircraft and once had the dream of getting my pilots license. Sadly the reason I to leave the Forces killed that one. So next best thing is building them - but I'd still trade what's left of my soul to fly a Mi-24. The OH got me the two Lancasters from Hobbycraft just before Xmas and that's given me some more ideas whilst I've ways been fascinated by Sci-Fi in all its forms.

3. Have you ever wanted to quit or have you quit modelling for a period?Why?

Was quite active modelling up till the age 16 then wound up in the Army reserve so modelling bit the dust. Got "retired" 7 years later and for various personal reasons never got back into the hobby until just before I joined the forum.

4. Do you get periods of low desire to model? Low mojo. How do you get over it?

Sometimes - not often. Usually because life gets in the way. Practicing HEMA now provides an out for the frustrations etc. so the mojo doesn't - yet - get hit so hard.

5. What is the coolest or most inspirational miniature/model/replica you have seen?

The builders models in the Greenwich Naval Museum

6. Was there a modeller who influenced you as a kid? Do others in your family model or do artistic stuff?

Not really - maybe the guys who built the mods for the various Gerry Anderson series???

[aur0ra145]

1. What does modelling do for you? Is it mental help, artistic, calming, obsession, is it an escape?

Mostly an escape. I did some models as a kid. Though, I really started back up about the time I joined this forum. It's an easy way to get away from thinking about work, etc.

2. What drives you to model a certain topic or subject?

If I think it looks cool. After that, if it has some sort of historical significance. I'm a big fan of aircraft, all the different types, propulsion systems (props v. jets), different generations of jet fighters, etc. I love them all. As for tanks, I just like how easy the Tamiya kits are to build. They fall together and it's easy to conceal mistakes with a dash of mud.

3. Have you ever wanted to quit or have you quit modelling for a period? Why?

I stopped for a time after being a kid. No real reason other than wrestling in high school sort of took over my life, then in university I never really had a place to model. Once I started my professional career, I figured taking part in the party scene every weekend probably wasn't the best idea. So, I built a Revell Corsair from back when I was kid. Then I found this place, and just kept on making models.

4. Do you get periods of low desire to model? Low mojo. How do you get over it?

Occasionally. I'll put the hobby down for a bit, focus more on video games, house projects, shooting, etc. Then the mojo will return and I'll be right back in it.

I'd say that bad kits are what usually kill it for me. I've become okay with throwing out a terrible kit (like the Chaparral) to keep the mojo alive. Buying better quality kits seems to keep the mojo going.

5. What is the coolest or most inspirational miniature/model/replica you have seen?

I can't really think of any single models. Youtubers like Ninjon, Squidmar Minis, Midwinter Minis, Goobertown Hobbies, Night Shift and others have given me some real inspiration to step out of my comfort zone and try new techniques.

6. Was there a modeller who influenced you as a kid? Do others in your family model or do artistic stuff?

Nope. No one in my family does any sort of artistic stuff. None of them modeled. Nada. I guess I'm the first. My SO does some Cricut work now, it's pretty good. She now wants a Glowforge, which can etch/cut all different types of materials. They're expensive; but, really cool!

[digger303]

1. What does modelling do for you? Is it mental help, artistic, calming, obsession, is it an escape?
I like the creating a finished object from a collection of parts. I find it calming and once finished general a sense of satisfaction.
2. What drives you to model a certain topic or subject?
I prefer WW2 mostly as a period of intense change with the use of motorization.
3. Have you ever wanted to quit or have you quit modelling for a period?Why?
Not quit, but I have set it aside for a while. I feel the need to get away from the process and not make it a have to do job.
4. Do you get periods of low desire to model? Low mojo. How do you get over it?
This kinda feeds from the last question, but to add more info. When I do get low on mojo I usually stop modeling and to get back into it a new build or a cleaning of the work bench is a big restart for me. I guess that means a cluttered work space is uninspiring and a mojo sapper.
Road blocks in a build or paint process will usually cause me to lose mojo too.
5. What is the coolest or most inspirational miniature/model/replica you have seen?
Been many of those I guess one of the best dioramas I have seen came out of Japan in super smaller than braille scale of a forest scene incorporating figures waterfall,cliff tops, road, rail line bridge and a village.
6. Was there a modeller who influenced you as a kid? Do others in your family model or do artistic stuff?
Nope none at all

[Twokidsnosleep]

Super cool answers going on here guys, really a window into a modeller’s heart and mind

@aur0ra145 I’d love a glow forge..super cool machine
I have an original Emblaser and it is super fun. Very time consuming preparing files for burning, but really neat to do
Glow forge is even more powerful and useful

Come on you quiet read only guys, pop in some answers, let’s hear from some lurkers!!!!

[Pacman9a]

1. What does modelling do for you? Is it mental help, artistic, calming, obsession, is it an escape?
Modelling gives me something to focus on and escape from outside pressures. It definitely helps with my mental state and is slowly bringing out an artistic side of me that I didn’t know I had!
2. What drives you to model a certain topic or subject?
I mainly build WW2 vehicles and usually exclusively Tamiya although I’m currently building a Challenger 1 just for something different, it’s huge!
3. Have you ever wanted to quit or have you quit modelling for a period?Why?
Like some of the other posters, I built models as a kid, mainly aircraft and then beer and girls became a distraction. I only restarted modelling again a few years ago.
4. Do you get periods of low desire to model? Low mojo. How do you get over it?
Definitely, I have had periods when I lacked any motivation. I got over it by looking at YouTube videos and reading some of the excellent content on this site.
5. What is the coolest or most inspirational miniature/model/replica you have seen?
I saw a diorama at Telford this year which was an entire street (in Normandy, I think) it was huge and so detailed with vehicles and figures everywhere amongst the rubble and wrecked buildings.
6. Was there a modeller who influenced you as a kid? Do others in your family model or do artistic stuff?
I wasn’t aware of any famous modellers as a kid but some of the guys on YouTube and on here are very talented. My wife is the real creative in my family, she is mainly a fused glass artist but turns her hand to most crafts, her latest toy is a Crickcut machine which she is getting to grips with at the moment.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Awesome response @Pacman9a
Great to hear from you and super interesting

[digger303]

In response to comments about tools and what one would like.
1. Bigger Cave to put all this in.
2. Lathe and mill
3. Cruicut machine
4. Proxon hot foam cutting table
5. After reading Scott's wish....I want one too Premium Glow Forge
6. 3d resin printer
7. A handful of better quality hand tools to replace the cheapies I have.
8. A live in masseuse for all the bench time back induced hunching problems......also good for the mojo
9. A big lotto win to make it possible....

[BigWall]

1. What does modelling do for you? Is it mental help, artistic, calming, obsession, is it an escape?
It started as something to do when I was younger. The focus then was more just getting it done and on a shelf. It restarted as a way to keep up finger dexterity while going thru my first set of chemotherapy. Now it's artistic expression and trying to improve my work.

2. What drives you to model a certain topic or subject?
I totally go off of what looks interesting to me. Lately, that's mostly been WWII armor.

3. Have you ever wanted to quit or have you quit modelling for a period? Why?
I quit modeling 23 years ago when I wife was pregnant with our first son. She couldn't take the glue and paint fumes.

4. Do you get periods of low desire to model? Low mojo. How do you get over it?
I think everyone does. I just do something else until I feel like modeling again. I'm not under any timeline with my modeling.

5. What is the coolest or most inspirational miniature/model/replica you have seen?
I don't think I could pick one. I've seen many here, on Instagram and in magazines.

6. Was there a modeller who influenced you as a kid? Do others in your family model or do artistic stuff?
I unfortunately didn't have an influence when I was a kid. My Mom was big on having us do crafty kinda things whether it was painting, coloring books, etc.

[Twokidsnosleep]

1. What does modelling do for you? Is it mental help, artistic, calming, obsession, is it an escape?
Definitely a stress escape, mental health aide and creative outlet for me
Early on I was buying an e bay model at the end of a long week as a reward for slogging through work.
I find models, researching and this website keep my mind occupied so I don’t get stressed as much.
I would rather make a model than watch TV or play video games

2. What drives you to model a certain topic or subject?
Just what catches my fancy really. I do not model anything I am not interested in.

3. Have you ever wanted to quit or have you quit modelling for a period?Why?
Most of us have. Modelled as a kid, stopped for university and marriage, started back when son wanted to get into RC, gone bonkers since then. Have spells of wanting to sell everything and low mojos

4. Do you get periods of low desire to model? Low mojo. How do you get over it?
As a follow to the above question, yes I get times when I think I should sell all this crap and grow up
My mojo ebbs and flows like a stream. When it is low I put that thing away, clean up my spaces, do some woodwork or another hobby and eventually it swings me back to modelling. I do find my interests are shifting, so may have to sell off some stash.

5. What is the coolest or most inspirational miniature/model/replica you have seen?
Oh wow, this is hard to answer. There are so many. The local model show would always blow me away, the great builds in magazines, You tube Videos of US or UK shows and dioramas at Telford usually get me going pretty good.
The books from English scratch car builder Gerald Wingrove and the US/Canadian brass scratch builder Ken Foran have been very influential on me as an older modeller.
There are lots of guys making amazing things right here on Forum that are very inspirational too

6. Was there a modeller who influenced you as a kid? Do others in your family model or do artistic stuff?
No not specifically as a youngster. I was the youngest by six years, so kind of left to my own devices.
Modelling was my way to pass time and do something as a kid.
As an adult, Paul Bretlan certainly is an inspiration for my deep dive into modelling. I like experts who show you how to do stuff rather than try to show or tell you how good they are.
My mom was a seamstress and pretty artistic too. Both my sisters now paint in their early retirement years. My brother is musical and plays guitar
I kinda do a bit of all of that

[Kevthemodeller]

1. What does modelling do for you? Is it mental help, artistic, calming, obsession, is it an escape?
I find it very relaxing allows me to be creative and provides escapism.

2. What drives you to model a certain topic or subject?
Interest in the subject, having owned (bikes) one in the past or wanted to own one bikes and cars. Historical facts about a subject etc

3. Have you ever wanted to quit or have you quit modelling for a period?Why?
Not since I stopped 30 odd yrs ago and restarted about 6 yrs ago.

4. Do you get periods of low desire to model? Low mojo. How do you get over it?
Yes, work life balance pressures etc, as the pressures ease I get the mojo back. I'm not a 'at the bench' everyday it can and does take me months to build a kit.

5. What is the coolest or most inspirational miniature/model/replica you have seen?
Very difficult that one there's just so many.

6. Was there a modeller who influenced you as a kid? Do others in your family model or do artistic stuff?
My grandfather encouraged me as a way of relaxing and dealing with childhood issues, my youngest son builds from time to time cars or bikes.

[chops1sc]

1. What does modelling do for you? Is it mental help, artistic, calming, obsession, is it an escape?
I guess it is mostly an escape for me. Time to myself. I also use this time to listen to podcasts.

2. What drives you to model a certain topic or subject?
I definitely have to have a certain level of interest. Sometimes I just think it is a "cool" model.

3. Have you ever wanted to quit or have you quit modelling for a period? Why? I stopped building after age 14 or 15 because my attention was.... umm... elsewhere. I picked it back up at 46. I have definitely quit for a year or so. Usually the mojo dies and my other hobbies fill the void.

4. Do you get periods of low desire to model? Low mojo. How do you get over it?
See the previous question. My way out of mojo is to work on something different. My last mojo restoration was with painting a large bust which I have never done before.

5. What is the coolest or most inspirational miniature/model/replica you have seen?
Anytime I watch something about movie sets with miniatures. Scratch-built stuff blows me away sometimes.

6. Was there a modeler who influenced you as a kid? Do others in your family model or do artistic stuff?
I got into it because my brother built them. Ironically, I feel like he stopped building models shortly after I started building. My daughter is VERY good at drawing. She is 15 and her pictures amaze me!

[Panzón]

1. What does modelling do for you? Is it mental help, artistic, calming, obsession, is it an escape?
Modeling allows me to escape into my imagination, and exercise it.

2. What drives you to model a certain topic or subject?
I like to model subjects from dystopian worlds and alternate realities, or subjects that have "lived their lives", and are now abandoned. What interests me about these subjects is thinking about how people adapt both to the inevitable slow changes in their world as well as the sudden dramatic changes. I like to think about how the world would be different if different technologies had taken a different direction in their development and use, or how things might be different if the timeline of technological development was different.

3. Have you ever wanted to quit or have you quit modelling for a period?Why?
Never wanted to quit modeling, but I have had intervals where I didn't build models for a period of time, usually because I was immersed in another interest.

4. Do you get periods of low desire to model? Low mojo. How do you get over it?
Unfortunately, I'm experiencing such a period right now. I was in the middle of a rather large scratch build, and my interest was waning, so I knew it was time to take a break, and work on a smaller project. Since then, I've been plagued by a succession of minor, but distracting, health issues, and have been unable to find the motivation to get back to modeling. I'll have to get back to you on how I eventually get over it.

5. What is the coolest or most inspirational miniature/model/replica you have seen?
There's not a single model, but I love looking at the incredible miniature ship models of Donald McNarry and LLoyd McCaffery, and lately, I like watching the scratchbuilding videos of Boylei Hobby Time, especially his high-tech wild west builds.

6. Was there a modeller who influenced you as a kid? Do others in your family model or do artistic stuff?
No, I pretty much became interested in modeling on my own.