Guy or Gal?

I'd say overwhelmingly male. Though I have seen a few females on here.

i've seen some reviews of models done by females. they do have the soft touch needed for the hobby

I'm with Tigerman on this, overwhelmingly male, but female modelers are making inroads.

It seems we are finally overcoming the old stereotype that things like models are "boy's toys" and that the ladies should stick to needle work and other related hobbies.

Looking back through FSM articles and "Readers galleries" segments. I seem to recall a two or three page article a few years back featuring three female modelers.

There was also the astounding articles about the late Michelle Choquette who made some increadible conversions, superdetailing and scratchbuilds. I have some memories of an article about her scratchbuilt 1/32 A-10 Warthog, that was before anyone had ever heard of Trumpeter!

I also seem to recall her converting Monogram's old 1/48 AV-8B Harrier into a two seat TAV-8B trainer version, no mean feat there.

There was also an article about how she dressed up the old ID Models 1/32 B-58 Hustler, a load of work and a butt kicking bare metal finish to top it off.

Another name I recall is Susan Atai who submitted some great shots of sci-fi figures (most noatble "Alien") to the reader gallery.

I'm surprised to not see more females in modeling. I work as a graphic designer/illustrator which is a field with about a 75% female presence. The jump to modeling seems logical but apparently not.

I know there are "some" women modeling, they even post occasionally. Hopefully they will see this thread and vote! Though I'm willing to wager that there are more men doing needlepoint, than women building models!

Trowlfazz raises an interesting point. I work for a printing company with it's own designers. Until two months ago we had 50/50 split between women and men. Now it's 100% male. Mind you there are only 2 people in the whole department! However, both of them build models. One does WW2 dios exclusively, and the other will glue random bits of plastic together if necessary. There are 20 people working in the entire company and there are a total of 4 modelers, which I think is a rather high percentage for a company.

I think it's strange that many women enjoy "crafts" but not modeling. It may be because of the apprehension of working with these 'toxic' substances-although used with caution they are safe. But the craft items women are interested in are just as valid as models maybe with less historical context. But still a skillfully painted cottage is still an impressive model.

Good point Trowlfazz. I think it's the perceived toxicity as well. My wife does papier mache which is nothing more than non-plastic based modeling! Yet she sniffs at my models, which I personally think that has more to do with the time and money I spend on my hobby, than subject matter.

QUOTE: Originally posted by trowlfazz I think it's strange that many women enjoy "crafts" but not modeling. It may be because of the apprehension of working with these 'toxic' substances-although used with caution they are safe. But the craft items women are interested in are just as valid as models maybe with less historical context. But still a skillfully painted cottage is still an impressive model.

Its not strange really, and I don't think it has so much to do with toxic stuff as it does with the centuries old gender role values, that say boys get toy guns and race cars while girls get dolls and other toys that foster their "maternal instincts".

What do most models depict? Hot cars or military subjects. Stereotypically "male" territory by the old gender role thinking.

Many crafts reflect much more benign, domestic, and ultimately, traditionally "female" roles.

I'm happy to share the modeling hobby with female modelers, more power to them I say!

I've tried my hand at a few of the more typically "female" hobbies and often enjoyed them:
Let's sse, I've tried needlepoint, macrame, sewing, baking.

I remember years back in primary school, we were doing a unit on the middle ages in our history class and were all encouraged to come up with something for a display.

We didn't have much money at home so we had to go with what was around, that meant an old 12" GI Joe figure and some scraps of quite fancy looking fabric from my mom's sewing supply. Ultimately my GI Joe turned into a very well dressed king or duke or whatever and I had learned something about sewing (did most of it myself!)

I got a lot of laughs and snickers from my male classmates (girls were still "icky" at that age) but the girls thought it was cool

Baking is not a "Girl's" role at all. The vast majority of bakers (and chefs) are male. So are most tailors, for that matter. Gender role stereotypes are nasty! I myself can sew, knit and have done needle point (rug hooking actually, which is large scale needle point really).

GI Joes proved that boys could also play with dolls action figures. I had quite the collection back in the late 60s. Wish I still had them, in fact!

I think it is the toxic paints, or at least the stink of paint. When I said my wife sniffs at my modeling, I meant it literally!

I have known a few women who were interested in building airplane kits, however they wanted nothing to do with armor models. When asked why, they said "Tanks can't be pretty"...maybe that is the reason?

LOL....how about a tank with a flower camo scheme?

Malibu Barbie tank.. hehe

Some that I'm aware of within the forum: Frosty, Cassabil, Lizardqueen, and Mosquitomaiden.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bgrigg Baking is not a "Girl's" role at all. The vast majority of bakers (and chefs) are male. So are most tailors, for that matter. Gender role stereotypes are nasty! I myself can sew, knit and have done needle point (rug hooking actually, which is large scale needle point really). GI Joes proved that boys could also play with dolls action figures. I had quite the collection back in the late 60s. Wish I still had them, in fact! I think it is the toxic paints, or at least the stink of paint. When I said my wife sniffs at my modeling, I meant it literally!

O.K. you are correct that most chefs and tailors are male, but that is the adult world and most of us start our hobbies when we are still kids I think. When we are that young, the old gender roles toward sewing and kitchen work are still somewhat in place. I think it is because sewing and cooking are something that you can turn into a career outside the home that we grow to see them differently in adulthood.

Indeed the old gender roles are nasty business and I say good ridance to them; they are more hardwired into us than most of us care to admit.

I'm certain the smell of glues and solvents also has something to do with whether a person takes up our hobby, but then I've seen the smell drive off several guys who were thinking about taking up the hobby too

Well, I'm a product of the 60s so the stereotype is there, and I have a kitchen lady of my own! (WHACK ow, what I say, what I say?).

I (or should I say my kids?) am lucky to be able to allow my wife be a stay at home mom. Though I'm the King of the BBQ, cook all the Asian food (Thai and Indian, my specialties) and make the best scratch build pancakes!

Bill-my Mom, who's French, is a terrific chef, but my Dad always did the bubba-que, baked the bread and always made his signature oyster stew on New Year's Day. I've learned to do everything from sewing to cooking rather than resort to marriage again! ;-)

Marriage is a wonderful institution! (if you want to live in an institution...)

No thanks! Been there!

jinithith2=13
been modeling for 3 years
I still suck though...

Although I know these are the stereotypes I grew up in a house full of women so I have a different slant...

When I was young my mom told me her fear was I'd marry some fat lazy woman who wouldn't take care of me so she taught me to cook, sew etc... now in adult life it stuck... (in retrospect my first wife was skinny and lazy and didn't take care of me... hmmm thanks mom!!) Now I am happily married and my wife, growing up a tom-boy, has no qualms about letting me braise a pot roast while she cuts the grass ... ... all in all it works out!

She is interested in modeling but thinks the directions are confusing and the kits difficult so hasn't got into it yet... nevermind she can do one of those 1000 piece round puzzles in two nights... or can replicate something she sees perfectly with a paintbrush... I think once I get her into a simple kit to start on her fear will be conquered and she'll pass me up in skills!

(her problem is she wants to build those $400 wooden replicas of the Bounty and such and doesn't want to start out on one of those Revell PT-109's with 15 pieces in it...)

Ho ho, I grew up in a houseful of women, too. Learned to cook, sew etc. same as you.

Oh, and to put the toilet seat DOWN! LOL!!

Now problem here, Bill- I sit down to pee-it's more comfortable and i'm getting old, or lazy!

QUOTE: Originally posted by trowlfazz Now problem here, Bill- I sit down to pee-it's more comfortable and i'm getting old, or lazy!

Lot more accurate, too!

yeah most modeling subjects have a little too much testosterone in them

And by a landslide, it's clear that we're a sausage-fest here. Predominantly, modelers are male, but there are women here and there breaking into it, and doing a spectacular job of it.

Hello,all:

While reading this topic I couldn't help but notice Michelle Choquette's name was mentioned. Am I correct in remembering that she passed away a while back?  I was going over my old FS issues, and came across her work on a 1/32 ID Models B-58.  If it is true she is gone, what a true loss to our hobby, and to the world.  That PERSON was an artist, no matter her gender, and I would have loved to have had a chance to meet her.  God bless her soul.

Jor-el, a rank amature modeler.

Michelle Choquette nearly caused me to quit the hobby!  I can look at most of the models I see in FSM and think, "With a lot of patience, perspiration, and practice I could do that."  When I saw her work I said, "There is no way I could do that, now or ever."

I was telling my wife about her just the other day - what a loss it was when she died.  I suspect her work was admired by far more people than she ever realized.  I hope she realizes it now.

Guy here. I know there are a few women around here. Frostygirl does some awesome kit bashing, she has a thread right now in the autos section, its a pretty nice looking build!

According to my wife, modeling is beyond her because of all the small parts and detail.  This coming from a woman who made her own wedding dress and knits lace shawls and other things that would make your eyes cross.  I think mostly none of the subject matter interests her, and to be fair she really has tried to cultivate an interest in aviation, but sadly it jusn't hasn't taken.

As for myself, I do most of the cooking, and some of the cleaning, but I can't fathom her knitting.  She can do it pretty much on autopilot while I would have to concentrate too hard and would probably give myself a headache.  I did pick up a cross stich of the Wright flyer a couple of years ago that I'm hoping to give a try, but I can't find it now.  Hopefully, I'll be able to get my daughter interested in something model related though.