Modeling Philosophy

I consider model building an art.  Why do people paint, scupt (I see models as a form of sculpture).  My local art institute has a big model of a US frigate on display.  Sure, not all of our models are worthy of display in an art museum, but then through the years, thousands- maybe millions of folks dabbled in art, maybe only sketching with pencil, coloring with crayons or colored pencils.  Just because the vast majority of attempts are not worthy of museums do not mean these are not art.

Art ;

    What is it really ? It is an expression of creativity from a singular person .That person is showing the world how he or she interprets the world around them . It might lean to the ephemeral ,  It might lean toward miniatures of real things from a Chair to a Missile Carrying Soviet Tank .

      Art , in a way , is supposed to speak to something inside us . Although I couldn't hear Picasso , I sure as heck hear a lot at a model show ! Dali spoke to the engineer inside , as did the monster NIMITZ model at the museum of the same name . That's just the way it is

I don't think we're dealing in "art" so much as "craft".  While some craft may be artistic, to me there's a difference in the two.  Otherwise we would see more models colored with crayons in FSM! 

My own philosophy seems to go against what DoogATX wrote in his blog (which I've read).  I've always thought that I should give those poor kits a go and see what I can do with them.  Perhaps it's the challenge of scratch-building?  Don't know.

My opinion, of course, and no criticism intended!

I'll jump in.

Professionally, I've been a photojournalist, a writer, photo editor and even taught college classes in photography.  I have always been a history enthusiast.  Until I could no longer do it for medical reasons, I was a private pilot.

With that background I've intended my models to communicate and to teach viewers something.  I've always built models with that type of "audience" in mind.

It doesn't mean I don't try to have fun, challenge myself, learn or better techniques, etc., but I'm building with viewers in mind, not just for my own fulfillment.  And while the thought is always present, I try not to build models just for other model builders.  Yes, I like to share model building with other builders, get comments and criticism, but I'm disappointed when a non-modeler doesn't notice the model on the shelf, because that's who I built it for.

I really enjoy the research, because I end up learning something.

I've displayed my models at home of course, but I've given them to friends and family, and displayed them in my office at work.

I worked for a company that built many of the subjects of my model builds.  Once a co-worker that had served aboard my model subject, and spent many years in engineering and maintenance saw one of the models in my office, he was silent for awhile, asked a question or two, then choked-up a bit.  That let me know I'd succeeded.

It was enough.

I totally agree with Don. Modeling is "Art" to me. I don't go in with the rivet counting crowd; having said that, I WILL strive to "correct" and improve a kit as a personal goal and objective--witness my "Leopards" thread in the Armor section. I will model the interior even if you can't see it in MOST cases, unless I have no plans to leave a hatch open or if it truly is just too complex to warrant the efforts vs the visibility issue.

As I've become a better modeler, and since buying a house and a new doog, I have much less time for modeling than I used to have, so I will carefully weigh whether or not to put in a driver's compartment in say, a Czech 38T tank where you'll never see it. I WILL, however, build up the turret interior if the hatch is going to be left open.

I don't spend money on things I can do with already, like metal barrels and Friul tracks--I can easily deal with plastic kit parts and make them look just as good.

I like what you said: " It's one thing to lazily accept anything under the umbrella of "artistic expression", and quite another to seriously consider alternatives and make a judgment call for the sake of progress." AMEN.

I like to model for the sense of accomplishment when I finish something. Because of that I like to challenge myself with unusual subjects, things that require some research.

I'd say I'm a rivet counter, but only for myself. Every now and then I'll let slip a comment here (and there) about how something doesn't look right on anothers model, but I really try to keep it to a minimum and I have a lot of respect for others feelings.

I'm not sure I call modeling art, in most cases. Karl you do art, because you seem to take a lot of risks and do new things and a lot of the models you've done over the years have a story, or a bit of a sense of humor to them. But I can't say I consider my modeling art, more a craft. Sort of like painters who do "photo realism".

Okay Karl ;

    You got me here .I can see buying a new house . How did you buy a " New " Doog ? Are you a pappy now ?

tankerbuilder

Okay Karl ;

    You got me here .I can see buying a new house . How did you buy a " New " Doog ? Are you a pappy now ?

Here's my little boy last weekend on a getaway weekend in the mountains...Gerhardt Von Logan, our mini longhaired Dachshund! All 9.4lbs of him! He's 10 months old..

Nice DOOG!!!

Kinda looks like Brian May.

Ha ha! I'll tell him that! He's a big Queen fan! :)