Post-BreyerFest Inspiration (of sorts)

I know I haven't posted much here, but I have nonetheless been slowly chugging away at my commission backlog, and I am happy that even more models are done, out of my studio, and home with their owners. There are still plenty of models to go, but I feel like the weight is starting to lift at last. I'm getting closer!

As usual, the bug to be productive kicked in hard right before I traveled to BreyerFest, and it helped motivate me to finish up and mail out a couple of models that had been lingering nearly done for far too long.

Now that I'm home again, I have a lot I would like to get done before the summer is over. I am inspired to get to work in the studio and on the studio itself. The first order of business is going to be to sort through my six body boxes and cull a bunch of the models. They take up too much space, and the reality of my ever actually getting to them all isn't high. Better to pass them along to other artists with more time on their hands. I then need to replace the decrepit desk my painting booth sits on and buy something sturdier with better storage capacity. I have a shelving unit picked out that should be ideal; I just need to sell a bunch of stuff so I can afford it.

With that in mind, in addition to the plastic body cull, I will probably be selling most of the rest of my resin collection and a number of miscellaneous Peter Stone and Breyer models. At the moment, I'm listing stuff on eBay---my seller name is kwkelt. One of the model currently listed is my 2018 NaMoPaiMo model who is now NAN qualified.

Stay tuned for more goodies!

Busy summer

Once again, I find that I have been neglecting this blog, mostly in favor of writing my Model Horse Collectibility blog. I have also had a pretty busy summer, what with work, a bit of travel, work, BreyerFest, and work. I'm going to play catch-up a bit here, and I will try to cram most of my news into this post if possible.

Since 2006, my summer has traditionally kicked off with a trip to Golden, CO, for the Springamathing live show (formerly Devilish Kokopelli Live) hosted by Heather Roell. I've judged there every year since 2006, and I've absolutely fallen in love with the scenery and the terrific crowd of hobbyists out there. It's always a blast, and the competition is always fierce. To wit, you might recognize these famous beauties that were present at Springamathing this year:

The incomparable appy Victrix by Liz Shaw (Yes, the $17,000 Victrix.)

 A rare Orinocco resin by Sarah Minkiewicz-Breunig (painted by Carol Williams)

Valor sculpted and painted by Carol Williams in an intricate dominant white pattern

As if the amazing models weren't enough, here are a few pictures of the view from the show hall.

Looking out the front door first thing in the morning

 The evening view out the back door

Teresa Fedak and I drove up Mt. Evans the next day:

June and July were devoted to BreyerFest prep as well as a lot of work on commissions. I finally have a nice camera, so I took bunches of photos at the BreyerFest Open Show, the International Museum of the Horse, and a variety of shots around the park. You can see them here.

A trip to the Kentucky Horse Park is not complete without a visit to the grave of the horse that started it all for me, Man O' War.

A top-notch drill team in the covered arena

The skeleton of the famous 19th century Thoroughbred sire Lexington recently returned home to Kentucky from the Smithsonian.

BreyerFest was the end of my summer fun, but seeing my hobby friends and their incredible models always leaves me inspired to tackle my own commissions when I get home again. I've been making a concerted effort to finish up the last of my custom orders by the end of September, and here are a few that are ready to head off to their new homes.

 

Kathi Bogucki's Equus Maximus resin in leopard appaloosa as a Sugarbush Drafter

 

Breyer Andalusian in grulla sabino

 

Breyer Idocus with a new mane in chestnut as a portrait of the commissioner's real horse

 Breyer Classic QH in blue roan sabino