So this year, a group of awesome artists are organizing a new miniatures event and show in Texas (in July, woof), called Pigment (https://pigmentshow.us/). They’re aiming for a purely painting and modeling focused show similar to ones found in Europe- something of an art retreat and something of a painting competition.
I wasn’t sure I’d head out there, but my summer convention schedule is quite light this year! I can’t make it to Historicon (tear) this year due to family commitments and I’m gonna be giving Nova a miss this year. These would usually be some of my go-to gaming and painting events both to have some fun and kick my butt in gear. In the fall I have a few things (Unioncon 2026!) but nothing for the summer!
So I heard about Pigment and its pure art focus, and that was really exciting. I continue to try to build my abilities to put together different types of pieces for shows, and this immersive weekend could be fun. I don’t have any close friends going, and I’ll only know a few folks there! My goal is to go, immerse myself in classes and painting, and maybe make some new painting friendos! Wish me luck.
But there is an art show there, and one of the big reasons to go is to give myself a deadline to finish a new round of projects – after these I already have ~1 year of projects planned (too many ideas in my head) so I wanted to knock some things out!
Here are the things I’ve been working on:
The Kaha Bust: I started this in Kaha’s adepticon class, and she will be at Pigment! I can’t say its a piece I would have chosen to myself, and the family has given me some side-eye on the selection for this one, but it has been a really good piece to practice all the fundamentals of bust painting, which has been great! I have a few more things to do to try to get this wrapped up!
Abraham Lincoln (Union Gang mascot): The Union Gang needs a mascot, and ours is of course Abraham Lincoln! We got this Wargames Foundry Orc at BOYL last summer, and the one and only Kev Adams was there sculpting faces on minis for charity! So we of course had to get Orcbraham Lincoln! When I’m done, he’ll go live in the clubhouse.
JB En Garde: I got one of the En Garde minis, which I really wanted to paint, then was sad to hear of John Blanche’s passing. I was already hoping to finish this soon, but reread his interview in 28 collected and got really excited to jump back in here! So hopefully I can get at least a passable first draft done!
New Horizons: This last one is a bit of a new one, a shadowbox diorama inspired by space exploration! I’m doing a revision on the box, which was my first foray into 3D design for printing!
So I’m looking forward to getting these done. The weekend is going to be great either way- I’m taking classes with Kaha, Matt Dipietro, Jerry Allen, Borjhammer and Orions Belt Minis. And theirs a speed painting competition. I expect to drink a bunch of shiner bock and paint away! Here’s hoping this is a great show and the start of a cool new thing!
-BS