Well it’s a short break after my medieval may frenzy followed by forgotten hero’s challenge. While forgotten heroes was great, medieval may left me with a huge pile of primed figures and only the odd bit of paint on some. hey ho.
I am aiming to join in the season of scenery challenge run by Dave Stone. As it runs from July to September I am hoping for some success.
In the meantime time I have been sideswiped a few days ago by Later Romans. That’s a longtime project from lockdown years purchases and even before that in terms of ideas……
Who will win out in July remains to be seen.
Usual splendid muted colours – greys and orangesA relative found this Belgian museum V1/V2 launch site targeting London While I found these again – always cheers up that visit Some great sunsetsColour range is fantastic as are the shapesGolden but fearsome sunset
As winter recedes we have belatedly had some brighter weather. Often you get decent amounts of winter sun in Yorkshire but this time round it’s been distinctly dark skied.
A cloudy sunrise yet too often it’s been just cloudA rare full winter sunset There have been some interesting colours to be seen Only an occasional frost – it’s been cold but often dry or just wet and cold but not freezingThe ice was quickly melting as the sun roseOne of the late winter dust clouds from north Africa or the equatorial Atlantic There have been a few blue pink sunsetsIn contrast washed out golden sun contrasts with grey cloud
Well this year has seen the warmest summer on record and for that matter an unprecedented period of dry weather.
Sunsets though have been a bit of a miss as have cloudscapes – all that blue sky means you can’t have everything.
Morning sunriseEvening sunset There have been bumper rain cloudsAnd bumper apple cropsA Golden Autumn beckons Maybe a few more sunsets will roll alongA trip to the coast yielded some interesting rockpool life Plenty of grasshoppers this yearThe sun sets on this post.
I have just discovered that Ron Kay of Irregular Miniatures has died at the age of 98. He was full time on the team until 93, casting figures for all us hobbyists. He carried on as a part time member of the team still handling the big and complex castings. “Hats off” as they say.
I did not know Ron personally but seem to remember him at the Irregular stand at wargames shows.
I can do best by sharing some of my Irregular Miniatures collection and sending my condolences to Ian Kay and the Irregular family.
Irregular have provided me with some great 20mm figures that helped me build my 1848 forces.
1848 Danish Infantry repurposed from Irregulars colonial range1848 Duchy of Parma artillery Duchy of Modena Dragoons which were Neapolitan Dragoons 1848 Rumanian infantry which were ww1 Austrians 1848 Roman Legion which were ww1 Austrians Colonial British posing as 1848 Danes1848 Garibaldeans in red and blue shirtsNeapolitans posing as 1848 French1864 Dane’s which were ww1 Austrians 1850 Dane’s which were ww1 Austrians Grand Duchy of Tuscany Infantry repurposed from the colonial range
Well it’s another warmer than usual and sunnier summer which means less time wargaming.
Pond-life proves interesting – we inherited the garden newts and an almost buried pond. The one goldfish in it was actually brown so we did not find it till we tidied the pond up.
He is long departed for fish heaven. In the meantime the newts rule which also means the frogs get a raw deal as newts voraciously eat frog spawn apparently.
That’s pond life – eat or be eaten.
Egg laying newt
So newts should have laid their eggs by June yet this one was spotted cuddling some floating leaves – looking like egg laying. Who knows. They are fun to watch.
Not so much fun is tidying up the outdoor track although watching the train go by is!
Garden railway
Not much rain or cooler weather in the forecast so wargaming might go a bit thin for a while ……
The other night a cloudy sunset caught my eye simply because I had not seen one in a while.
Spring has been delightfully dry, sunny with low humidity. It has meant the watering can has been doing overtime at a point when seedlings and young growth can die in days if not watered.
Nature has offered some interest.
A bracket fungus Once upon a time cows were commonly seen on York strays – they are still there if you know where to look. Walmgate stray looking towards the iconic York Cemetery complete with those angel statues – think doctor who.The strays typically are wet – the taller grasses indicate water courses still damp despite the drought
It was a great season for tulips – no wind or rain to batter them down
Lets face it the channel system is alive and well when it comes to the Arts. Take York Open Studios for example – you will not see gaming miniatures on display.
As the front of the brochure says – you will see fabulous art in ceramics, collage, digital, illustration, jewellery, mixed media, painting, print, photography, sculpture, textiles and wood.
Of course wargamers can claim a few of those techniques for themselves.
The work on display at open studios is fantastic. They are clearly successful in their business – as long as they keep producing. And this production need is often at loggerheads with the creative drive or passion. Imagine making a piece of art as a one off then discovering its a best seller – yet it is a subject and technique you have only passing interest in while your passion garners few followers – what to do?
May be the wargamers equivalent is finding out they enjoy painting figures for the period they least like to game…………
The channel system is extremely helpful simply because art by definition could be anything. It helps signpost what’s in store. In the same way, Gamers would probably not value sculpture or oil paintings for sale on stands at a wargames show simply because of some “miniatures” aspect – whats the point.
So its horses for courses or channels, perhaps “categories” of art might work better. The art on display at York Open Studios is mostly to be used solely through its visual impact. Whereas gaming miniatures have a visual value of course but are then primarily to be handled in a gaming situation. I am excluding “models” made for viewing – ship and aircraft models spring mind here.
I have always found a visit to Open Studios rewarding not least because you do get to see peoples work areas and even the mess they operate in – kitchen table – often the neatest simply because of necessity or a fabulous dedicated work room. One particular artist I missed this year had years of oil paint embedded in some carpetted rooms along with the fragrance of turps. Their work was fabulous for me – and thats what matters.
Thoughts this year?
With over a hundred studios open I can only offer a very few of those I have visited.
Ala Jazayeri operates from the South Bank Studios, Southlands Methodist Church, Bishopthorpe York YO23 1NX. Her oil paintings are best seen in real life as the colours and textures differ from the digital image. I enjoyed viewing her work.
Donna Maria Taylor also operates from the South Bank Studios and I really liked some of her winter landscapes. Her approach includes acrylic, watercolour, collage and inks – truly mixed media.
Peter Baker also at South Bank Studios uses wooden blocks to create installations. I thought his work was great fun.
Playful interaction- look through the holes to view this artwork Ok – so you have to go and see yourself!Impromptu York’s ice creamery narrow boat with its own cow!
In Franklins Yard off Fossgate YO1 9TA some fascinating artwork exploring rust and verdigris on plaster and wooden panels – demanding reflection. Alongside were screen prints advertising music bands – great colour – fun.
This view will soon be gone – redevelopment in York is a pacey affair Same here, the view will soon be different Live action art – in this case wall artSign of the times – bricks and mortar shops in retreat probably to become another eatery or coffee shop
Pica Studios in York Centre – on Grape Lane YO1 7HU – lots of strong prints with vibrant colours – but again I opted to picture their tools and paints.
You also get to see some interesting back areas
Not far away at 16 Feasegate York YO1 8SQ is Lincoln Lightfoot who has some fantastic work. In my view something both refreshing and reassuring.
Then over in holgate was
Mountain man
In the reflection is a large print (see runner above) of the great boar fight at Bradford back when it was just a hamlet More work in progress Paints
The Wargaming Erratic 