Category: wargaming

If you strip it down making a car or a piece of art is the same thing. I am stretching a point here regarding quantity.

It is a creative process that ends in something tangible which may also be useful. And “use” can result in different things.

The piece of art that is still in use 200 years later because its action is to be seen. Or that car which was mercilessly driven in all weathers every day with every component exercised till its early demise on a scrap heap a few years later.

Wargamers are often gamers but as opposed to say Board gamers they are often model makers and nearly always painters.

And some Wargamers are collectors as well.

Add to this that some wargamers are what one would call artists – their work is exemplary, out of the ordinary, admired and copied.

And you can visit thousands of sites on the net to learn how they did this or that.

In a world that has rapidly replaced the physical world with the online world (both are real but different), it is interesting to meet real humans, who are artists and be able to connect their creations with their working area, their tools and discuss their processes right there – one to one.

No rewind – you have to listen and concentrate. It is an experience.

So York Open Studios offers you a hundred artists and makers to chose from. A useful booklet shows you where each artist/maker is located and a thumbnail picture and a few words provide the introduction.

My experience is that I select on image – it is disconcerting. I force myself to read the useful words – collage, etching, printing, digital, sculpture, carving…..

This time we wanted to walk between sites within a specific time frame – we chose an area with many locations and it meant we visited some locations where the brochure image was not compelling and the words uncertain.

At least one artist whose work I like had used an unfamiliar image and I could never remember their name. it was a surprise to find them in my list of maybe/so so sites to visit in the area we had chosen.

And the lesson about “reinforcing what you like means you might miss out” continued as I found my less preferred visits yielded very interesting discussions on process – how, why, what, where, when etc.

What is overwhelming?

• Individuality – they may use fairly common materials, and even processes yet what they add is crucial. That is the most important ingredient
• Commitment – despite the throngs of people in kitchens, conservatories, the garden shed, part of a living room – these people must spend a lot of time on their own to achieve what they do.
• Enjoyment – to open your “studio/space” to strangers and be cross examined (politely of course) on how you did that or why did you do this – is an act of bravery – most of all I think it reflects their enjoyment of their work and the pleasure it gives them.

In a way wargame shows are those open studios when artists and makers show their work on the wargames table – the difference tending to be that you don’t buy (except at the nearest trader), you just look and maybe discuss. You might go home and copy their work – inspired by their enthusiasm – which includes the game as well – rules, scenery and figures.

Then there are the traders – many of whom are still small businesses in effect our hobbies most obvious artists and makers.

There is also a place for all those useful internet sources*.

And there is the irreplaceable act of human contact discussing a shared interest.

So whether it is a local arts and crafts show or that wargames show – “go see” – I am betting that seeing what others do will inspire you to paint more, make more and be more creative.

*That includes the American Railroad Modeller preoccupied with homemade Italian Cypress Trees which I might need one day!