Monthly Model Painting Challenge - January 2021

 Model Monthly Painting Challenge - Facebook Group  

There was no December 2020 Monthly Challenge and 2021 there will be January, no February due to NaMoPaiMo and then start fully back in March 2021.

My NaMoPaiMo horse is going to be a fantasy horse in green Appaloosa so I am going to work on Appaloosas this month - making them look more realistic because I can't seem to get the whites right. 

I chose to do an Ertl foal and trying bay Appaloosa. I didn't get a picture of him when I started, but I did get a picture of him after I painted the base color (bay) and had the pictures of the colors I used. 

Then I started layering on white for the Appaloosa pattern. 

I am still not completely pleased with the results, But I am learning what I need to work on for my NaMoPaiMo Horse. 

Circle C Artist Challenge 2020 Results

 This was such a tough competition for me in the sense that I had huge life drama going on (namely East Troublesome and Cameron Peak Fires). 

Here are the results and I couldn't be happier!!! This is my first fully customizing piece where I actually cut into a model and did some drastic things in my book. Youth Division, Album Cover Division, Book Cover Division and the Overall. 

Thank you so much to the judges and to my fellow entrants!! 

Favorite Artist Series - Model Horse Artist Sara Bean

 

Sara is a model horse artist that I met online on Deviantart. She did fun fantasy model horses and some really cool paintings on boxes, bowls, nesting dolls, sewing, and so much more. She has a really nifty Etsy shop. And her art page on Facebook has all the latest projects she's been working on - The Attic Studio. 

To look at her body of work, is to see talent in a ton of areas. These are some of my favorite pieces by Sara.

Breyer Classic - customized/finishwork by Sara

Breyer Stablemate- customized/finishwork by Sara

Breyer Classic - customized/finishwork by Sara

I had a few larger pieces but due to multiple moves and just life drama I had to sell them off. I do have 1 custom Micro Mini and a really cool eye necklace by Sara. 

Breyer Mini Whinnies - customized/finishwork by Sara

I hope to add some more models again, but she is no longer doing commissions due to some rather rude Etsy clients, so I just have to wait to see what she posts for sale and try to grab it before anyone else. 

Favorite Artist Series - Artist Elly Pieper

Elly with actor Jason Isaacs 

 
I have known Elly from DeviantArt since about 2005 or 2006. I found her art while perusing Harry Potter works that I liked. I was amazed by her drawing talent, as well as beadwork and silver clay necklaces. 

We shared a love of the Harry Potter universe and have been online friends ever since. I have not had the chance to meet Elly in person, though I hope to one day.

You can see her extensive work on her DeviantArt page HERE. It is well worth going through her 1,000+ deviations to see the amazing ability she has in several mediums. 

Elly has even posted videos on how to do beadwork like she does that are very user friendly and make even me believe I might be able to make something nice (though I haven't tried it yet!). 

Here are some of my favorite works by Elly:

And here are a few items that I own by her. I keep hoping to be able to purchase another necklace and another bracelet. 

Elly is always working on a project and making something beautiful. Check out her work and enjoy! 

Circle C Model Horse Artist Challenge 2020

Circle C Model Horse Artist Challenge - Here  

The new contests are here! There are THREE separate contests. 

#1 is for kids, skill level below age 10. Use a model horse of any size or type and make it look like your favorite food!

#2 is pick one of your favorite vinyl albums or CDs and use your model(s) to illustrate YOUR interpretation of both the musician or group and the cover. This one is open to Youth (skill level 10 and above) and Adults and brings us our lovely illustration. Yes, I owned one of what is commonly agreed to be one of the WORST album covers of all time!

#3 is just like #2 except you pick one of your favorite books and illustrate your interpretation of the cover and the author

RULES:

1. Entry is $10, enter as many times as you like, even in the same contest
2. At least one grand prize Venti Fidget, the more entries, the more prizes!
3. Contest period is from now until 12/31/20. ALL entries must be in by midnight EST on that day. We will be asking for photos of your entry from several angles and you will be able to email them at any time but no later than the deadline above. That should leave you all of January to prep for NAMOPAIMO!
4. List your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice of book and/or album on the form. I am going to limit how many people can do any particular one. You will be notified asap of which of your choices you need to use.
5. Cooperation with other entrants is encouraged! Talk among your friends about who you pick, how you are conveying them and give them advice... and most of all HAVE FUN WITH THIS.
6. If you have any confusion at all, PM me or put it in the comments! I am more than happy to answer questions, clarify rules or just listen while you talk out your ideas.
7. You have to put your book or album choice(s) on the entry form but you do NOT have to specify your model. The final entry may (or might not) be customized and the judges don't have to be able to tell what it started as. You can cut up several models and piece them together if you want to... even different sizes.
8. This year there is no limit to brand or size of model for you to use.
9. We do NOT want you to simply copy a book cover, album cover art, etc. You need to find a way to use a model to illustrate your choice without a straight copy. Last year we had folks melt models, piece together bits of multiple models, cut models into tiles and make a mosaic; let your imagination run free! You can put your entry ON a model, IN a model, make it OUT OF a model... and again feel free to ask if you have questions.

My choice was a Classic 1:12 Scale Breyer Wahoo King and the Book collection - The Dragonriders of Pern. These were the first "adult" books I read at the age of seven and I loved them. I loved the dragons and the way that the story seemed to come right out of the pages of the book. That struck an idea - that when we read, the characters come out of the book at us and seem to come to life. This inspired my use of the model, wing frame and paper mache book. 

I am not a great customizer in sculpting - I am better at painting so this was a huge task for me - terrifying and electrifying at the same time. I knew this would not be perfect in the way of the talented sculpting artists, but as an amateur and my first time doing a major resculpt if there are a few rough edges I am just pleased I was able to get it done in time because of all the hours I was working at the hospital. 

Entry paid on September 25,2020 and now to work!! 

The Stablemate model is for a different project. And I have been actually terrified of working on this project because I am afraid it won't come out to my vision. 

On October 22, 2020 my town was evacuated from a flare up fire due to the East Troublesome Fire on the OTHER side of the Divide in Grand County. The fire came down into Rocky Mountain National Park and the entire town of Estes Park was evacuated. At this time (Sunday 10/25/20) - all of my models are still in my cabin in Estes Park. 

So, finally on November 10, 2020, I was able to work some more on my project around working multiple shifts at my work - doing ER Admitting registration.  

And today, December 28, 2020 I completed my project - this is IMAGE heavy but I am so pleased with the outcome.