Been to a model show....Now I know were I stand..lol

Hey there. Ive been to lots of model shows and contests. Been part of some myself. Back in the 80s and early 90s I felt the same thing, feeling quite competitive and all. I was much younger then and all that mattered was how to get to where the masters' levels were.

Nowadays, however, I just break out a smile or a grin if I see a lot of models displayed and interest in the hobby still alive, even though most of the exhibits are undertaken by our club with the participation of some guests.

The day of electronic thrills and instant gratification has arrived and sadly, for most youngsters model-making is just too tedious. That is why Im personally concerned more now about the degree of fun a modeler had in making the kit/s. Some try it out, and then lose interest subsequently. But if they had a truly rewarding experience they'll most likely keep on building.

Of course, seeing superdetailed and wonderful works of art is always a pleasant experience.

I've never been to a show but have often felt "Why am I even bothering" after seeing the fine work shown here in the forum.
My work will probable never come close to anything posted here but I do enjoy the build.
So I keep glueing and painting away just as I did some 45 odd years ago, loosing myself in the history, glamor and essence of the subject being built. Whether its flying a Spit, driving the Monkey Mobile or on the deck of the Bismark.
Definatlly time well spent....

I, too, have never been to a show, although I am looking forward to attending one someday. At this point in my life I don't have the patience to superdetail a kit. I'm okay with this because I'm only building for myself. I get much enjoyment from the building process (especially the painting). I think I would only get annoyed to have my work judged at a contest.

-Mark

I have been to one or two shows/contests, and there are times that i feel positively horrid. It's almost like i'm shrinking or something. I see a superdetailed kit that i know i once built as a kid in an hour and feel sad that i missed that kit's potential. on the other hand, it is inspiring to see other people's work and know that i'm not too far off from achieving the same thing. i always look forward to seeing the kits come together (i.e. when the fusalage halves come together and meet the wings). that always gives me great satisfaction (almost as if i was on the assembly line of the real thing!). So, to answer your question, i build for the sheer joy it brings me.

I am so happy that you share the same feeling with me.....
Not that my kits are crap even if my siblings say so....lol....but I consider myself a humple disciple rather than the great guru........

Hey guys, I'm right there with you. I've wanted to attend a few "local" shows and always felt inadaquite. I still haven't gone, but I'm starting to look upon them (my own work) after a week or so an see it's better than I thought.

I have not been to any shows (darn it!), but the thing I have to remember about most of the pros is that modeling is their livelihood. They in most cases get to devote their precious time to it, while in my case I get a few hours here and there. Modeling to them is a 9-5 job. That's what it takes to be good at anything, more and more practice. I enjoy the work they do, because it makes me strive to do better and enjoy the hobby more.

Eric, I'm right with ya bro. I'm lucky if I get 8 hours a week and it's usually all in one day.

I go to several shows a year, mostly to buy kits and reference materials. Shows/contests always inspire me to build new kits from what I see at these events. I finally entered a model at a show last year and while I didn't place, I had the personal satisfaction of entering a kit. I talked with the judges and asked what I could do to improve the kit. That one entry has helped me to correct some errors and as a result I'm building better models. I don't know if I will enter contests in the future, but I will continue to get ideas for new models and ideas on how to improve what I build.

I have never entered a model in a contest before. After the Sherman family group build is done. I will be entering my Sherman Calliope in Hobbytown USA contest in March.
mark956

I've been to only a few shows (there is only one model show every 2 years in the city where I live) and have had the same feeling, inspired by the quality and professionalism of some models, and bouyed by knowing I'm also better than some on show. I build for my enjoyment so entering contests was not even on the radar screen. I go to shows to look for ideas, talk to other modelers, watch technique sessions and generally to come away feeling I'm still doing OK. However at the last Tamiyacom I was suprised at the low number of car and ship models and I'm now thinking that I'll enter several in the next show (18 months time) just to bolster the entries.

I too know of that sinking feeling when you look at row upon row of modelling super-detailed excellence at a model show. That's what happened when I went to my first one back in '91. I just thought "there's no way I'm ever going to be that good-I might as well give up now!"
Luckily, and older, wiser friend explained something to me. I did'nt need to be that good to enjoy the hobby or the show. I should take it for what it is, an opportunity to see some really cool models, have a good day out and maybe pick up a few tips along the way. That's why we are all here, because we enjoy it
Years later(last year in fact) I entered my first model competition and that sinking feeling came back....I looked around at the display and thought, "these guys are going to have a good laugh when they have seen my entry" Well as I already knew I did'nt win any prizes but something great did happen. When all the guys came back into the competition hall to see who'd won a few of the guys complemented my model and asked me some "How did you....." questions. I was so happy that they had taken the time to say "I like that."

So wheather your're a super model-master detailer or an ordinary out of the box type-don't be shy, bring your work to some shows and get out there and talk to people. Because when somebody takes the time to say"hey that's good!" you don't need any other prizes.

Just my

Darren.

The last time I entered a contest was 30 years ago, which was sponsered by the club I belonged to in the KC area. Two of the judges (a surgeon and an airline pilot) got into an extreme argument over the proper shade of RLM 65 and had to be physically seperated (and unfortunetly it was my model that started the argument). Since then I build for the fun and enjoyment of the hobby (which is what any hobby is about) and the only people who see my models are my family and the occasional friend who wanders by the house.
Please don't get me wrong, if contests are your thing, then go for it. I still like to drop by if there is a contest, if for no other reason than to see if someone has tried something new and if I get lucky enough, talk to the contestant and see how he did it. In otherwords, to learn something. I build models that are better than some, worse than others. I'm my own worst critic, but occasionally I get one built that I feel pretty good about (about once every 5 years) and that the one that keeps me in the hobby till the next one.

Thyamis,
I've had much the same experience as you at shows. I fall somewhere in the middle; not the best but certainly not the worst. It's easy to walk away depressed from shows ( I always used to) but you have to let it INSPIRE you, not upset you. It's always good to know where you stand, but keep an eye on where you want to be standing, too.
Paul

I used to be in a lot of shows when I was younger. I started competing when I was 8 and won my first ribbon. As long as I built for fun, I won, when I strted building to compete, I lost. Plain and simple, your best work comes from having FUN.
And if you do become competitive, get a sinse of humor cause the following could happen;

I once was up against another model for best of show and lost ( I had a 17th century English Galleon) and the other model ship was made of LEGOs. The judges liked the uniqueness and layout of the legos over all the other models in the show.

Most of us had a really good laugh after that.

Scott

I think it's great to see some spectacular kits that someone else slaved over-instant gratification!

I have been to a model show (two or three) but only as an observer. And seeing works done by pros really inspire me to improve on my skills and yes in some instances I have seen works that IMHO are probably worse than mine (he-he-he). Having been to a lot of painting/drawing competitions since childhood (winning some and losing some), I have learned to appreciate the realities of these competitions. In most cases, the winner is really the one with the best work. Sometimes, I don't know. But one thing is clear having the skills/talent and working/studying hard is the key to winning these competitions.

I am not sure if I will ever join any model contest but what I am sure of is that I will be enjoying the hobby for as long as I can.

Besides, beauty will always be in the eyes of the beholder and each beholder will always have a different standard for beauty.

Like I have always thought that I can paint better than Van Gogh. I mean he cannot even paint realistic portraits. LOL. Honestly I do believe that. But it is just my own opinion.

See my point? (He-he-he)

Its all in the eye of the beholder, I reckon. I've never been to a show, but I'm sure that it's a great place to go: "Whoa! Howdya do that??"