PRO- MODELS ? ?

Hi :

   I have read carefully the thread on Pro-Models for sale on the " Bay "  Now , Do you think I am going to say that I could or would sell on "E-Bay " as a "Pro" ? Nah-Uh ! Sure I have " awards " out the wazoo . No you haven't heard about them unless you lived in ARKANSAS years ago , or San Francisco in the nineties . Or if you read a small blurb in a local paper about me building models on commission here in TEXAS . yes , I have had a hand in helping found a " Model Builders Society .That was way years ago .Yes , I have restored damaged museum eligible and museum owned models . Yes , I have worked behind the scenes building models for some T.V. stuff years ago . Does this make me a" pro" even though  I have never made a steady living at it  , No . It has always been a side income that was part a reward for loving to build miniatures of historic value or just because I can help and make a couple of bucks while doing it . Does that make me a " Pro " No , emphatically No ! A pro is someone who can be quoted about a model and you can take it to the bank .A pro is someone who builds those beautiful models you see in shipyards and museums around the world . Shoot , most of my stuff has never left the States . I am by some ,considered a "pro" because I research a subject to death nearly , Before I put a knife to plastic or glue to a manufactured kit .

      Does this go along with " Pro " ?  I suppose in the eyes of some , Yes . I have always done models this way though . I boarded a C-3 freighter in Florida years ago so I could be sure my REVELL" Hawaiian Pilot" model would be correct .This at age twelve ! Does this make me a " pro " Heck no ! Now , when someone gets down on their knees and examines my work and tears fill their eyes because the work is spot on to what they remember , Now that does qualify as " Pro " in my mind . Money aside ,being a" Pro " or Proffessional as the word implies is a mixed bag of what folks think it is . I personally feel ,if the client feels that I have achieved goals they could Not reach or achieve no matter what , Then I guess I am a Proffessional . Proffessional what though ? Model builder , Miniature historian or Miniature Engineer ? Who knows ? I do know this .After over forty years I am still doing the occassional commission . Darn , I guess then I am a " Pro " It's all in the eye of the person , company or entity making the commission . Thanks For reading this and Model On.!   Tanker-Builder  or C.E O. of Minshipco .