Small Subjects

With our last episode recapping MFCA 2025, your hosts—with help from Lou Masses and Dennis Levy—kicked up a bit of a hornet's nest by addressing a major recurring topic of discussion at the show and in our small section of the miniatures world in general: Should digital sculpting and 3D printing be judged differently than the “handmade/toothpick and putty” sculpts that have predominated in this odd art form of ours for the last five and a half decades?Okay, it was mainly Jim doing the kicking. But since he was in part recounting a long and thoughtful conversation in Pennsylvania with master-sculptor Alan Ball, first featured with his master-painter wife Marion on Episode 20 of our podcast, we invited Alan to come back to have the discussion in real time—“for the record,” so to speak, and sans paraphrasing. As always, he graciously and eloquently shared his thoughts and insights as one of the deepest thinkers about this passion we share.Now, when anyone talks about digital sculpting in the historical as opposed to the fantasy category of miniature figures today, the name Nello Rivieccio inevitably comes up. Based near Naples, he is as much of a master on Zbrush as he was for many years with a toothpick (or similar tool) and two-part epoxy putty.To be clear, we do not intend these dual chats as a Pro/Con, Point/Counterpoint pairing: Alan and Nello have as many areas of agreement with each other (and with your hosts) as they do differences. But since the conversation about the advent of digital sculpting is certain to be a major topic of conversation again at World Model Expo, we wanted to drop this epic episode with both of them at the same time, so folks can have their perspectives (and our own) in mind as they view the work on display in Versailles from July 4 to 6.

The Miniature Figure Collectors of America's 82nd show took place on May 9 and 10 in Trevose, PA, just outside Philadelphia. On Saturday night, Lou Masses and Dennis Levy—both in a rather, um, well-lubricated mood—told Barry they'd love to bum-rush our podcast. They didn't have to twist our arms—your hosts are always game for a good chat with friends who are equally devoted to this little hobby/art form of ours—and this episode is devoted to that talk.Once again, this episode is marked as explicit for some profanity (It would have simply ruined the flow if we had taken it out!)For photos of what we discuss in each episode, visit the Small Subjects blog on boxdioramas.com: http://www.boxdioramas.com/smallsubjects

In this episode, your hosts mull over why some modelers (like Jim) rarely abandon a project, seeing even the dogs through to completion, while others (like Barry) regularly start one and then set it aside.  And, at the risk of abandoning our policy of avoiding politics, which is generally a very good one these days, the boys felt compelled to consider how the current moment is impacting the hobby.  Please note that this episode is marked as explicit as there are a couple of f-bombs.For photos of what we discuss in each episode, visit the Small Subjects blog on boxdioramas.com: http://www.boxdioramas.com/smallsubjects

Death comes to us all, as the saying goes, and while your hosts aren't feeling particularly morbid at the moment, we certainly look around from time to time at all of the tools and paints and supplies on our workbenches; the closets and shelves full of un-built kits; the stacks (and stacks and stacks) of books; our displays of the figures, vignettes, and dioramas we've built and collected from friends and artists we admire, and the odd piece of militaria we've acquired and think, “Who's going to take care of all of this STUFF when we're gone?”And we bet you've asked this question, too.As a maker and as a collector, our pal and repeat Small Subjects guest Joe Berton certainly has. What's more, he has helped clear out the collections of quite a few of those we've lost who shared our passions—including some pretty epic ones. In this episode, we asked him to help us think about preparing for the inevitable, in part because we don't know anyone who's more expert in this regard, but also because, Joe being Joe, he brings plenty of laughs and quite a few memorable anecdotes to what could have been a somewhat dark discussion (but isn't, we promise!).For photos of what we discuss in each episode, visit the Small Subjects blog on boxdioramas.com: http://www.boxdioramas.com/smallsubjects

We tackle the topic of Artificial Intelligence and some of its possible impacts on our hobby in this discussion with Jake McKee.  Jake is a consultant in the digital realm, a photographer, a devoted modeler, and a blogger (with both a tech blog and a modeling blog). In the past, he's done digital marketing for Lego, and he's also worked at Apple. He's been thinking about A.I. a lot, and he certainly helped us formulate our thoughts, and consider the possibilities.For photos of what we discuss in each episode, visit the Small Subjects blog on boxdioramas.com: http://www.boxdioramas.com/smallsubjectsJoin one of our Facebook groups:Historex:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshistorexFlats:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsflatsOr hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite and discuss anything else miniatures related:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshospitalityemail us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

In Episode 52, when Jim expressed interest in the new 1/16th-scale Gecko Models Universal Carrier kit, Barry suggested a “buddy build,” with each of them tackling the beast—something he now regrets. This episode is devoted to their ongoing frustrations with the build (and, for Jim, some fun, too). Although Barry initially suggested the idea, he later worried that no one would be interested in talk about a kit few if any of the listeners might build. But Jim thought it wound up being about more than the build, focusing on how your hosts each approach modeling and the inherent and inevitable problem-solving.For photos of what we discuss in each episode, visit the Small Subjects blog on boxdioramas.com: http://www.boxdioramas.com/smallsubjectsJoin one of our Facebook groups:Historex:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshistorexFlats:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsflatsOr hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite and discuss anything else miniatures related:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshospitalityemail us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, we chat with one of the legends of the hobby: Francois Verlinden, who is alive and well at age 78. He retired to Palm Beach, Florida, after the company that bore his name closed in 2016, but he is occasionally painting again “just for fun”—including some of those Warhammer minis the kids love!We also talk about our buddy build of the Gecko 1/16 Universal Carrier.For photos of what we discuss in each episode, visit the Small Subjects blog on boxdioramas.com: http://www.boxdioramas.com/smallsubjectsJoin one of our Facebook groups:Historex:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshistorexFlats:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsflatsOr hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite and discuss anything else miniatures related:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshospitalityemail us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

Your hosts expand on their own answers to one of their favorite questions for guests—How did you get your start in this small-sized pursuit of ours? They dive into some of their earliest modeling experiences, talk about people who helped get them started, and tell us about some of the kits and figures they loved tackling as kids.For photos of what we discuss in each episode, visit the Small Subjects blog on boxdioramas.com: http://www.boxdioramas.com/smallsubjectsJoin one of our Facebook groups:Historex:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshistorexFlats:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsflatsFantasy Busts:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsfantasybustsOr hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite and discuss anything else miniatures related:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshospitalityemail us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

This time we talk about the recent 2024 MMSI Chicago show with Pat Vess and Joe Berton. We also talk about some things the guys have planned for next year's 50th anniversary show.For photos of what we discuss in each episode, visit the Small Subjects blog on boxdioramas.com: http://www.boxdioramas.com/smallsubjectsJoin one of our group builds:Historex:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshistorexFlats:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsflatsFantasy Busts:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsfantasybustsOr hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite and discuss anything else miniatures related:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshospitalityemail us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

For their 50th episode, your hosts talk with versatile Texas-based modeler, sculptor, and painter Doug Cohen, whose work stands out at any show he enters, as readily identifiable as his sense of humor.For photos of what we discuss in each episode, visit the Small Subjects blog on boxdioramas.com: http://www.boxdioramas.com/smallsubjectsJoin one of our group builds:Historex:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshistorexFlats:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsflatsFantasy Busts:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsfantasybustsOr hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite and discuss anything else miniatures related:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshospitalityemail us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, your hosts chat with Minnesota-based painter and sculptor Scott Primeau, a consistent gold-medal winner, Chicago medalist, and self-effacing talent whose attitude and ambition inspires both of us.  We also talk about getting over some of our modeling fears.For photos of what we discuss in each episode, visit the Small Subjects blog on boxdioramas.com: http://www.boxdioramas.com/smallsubjectsJoin one of our group builds:Historex:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshistorexFlats:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsflatsFantasy Busts:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsfantasybustsOr hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite and discuss anything else miniatures related:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshospitalityemail us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

Jim and Barry chat with another of their favorite painters from the fantasy realm, and one who's been on their wish list of guests for quite some time: Natalia Oracz.They also talk about the inaugural Rocky Mountain Hobby Expo in Salt Lake City, an open show which was held on June 22.For photos of what we discuss in each episode, visit the Small Subjects blog on boxdioramas.com: http://www.boxdioramas.com/smallsubjectsJoin one of our group builds:Historex:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshistorexFlats:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsflatsFantasy Busts:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsfantasybustsOr hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite and discuss anything else miniatures related:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshospitalityemail us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

Jim and Barry talk with Joan about her extraordinary box diorama “Algorithm As Art,” a gold-medal winner at MFCA 2024. Jim calls it one of the most important boxes in the history of the form—for its imagination, its execution, the ideas it raises, and the discussions it prompts. (Be sure to read his piece about it here.)For photos of what we discuss in each episode, visit the Small Subjects blog on boxdioramas.com: http://www.boxdioramas.com/smallsubjectsJoin one of our group builds:Historex:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshistorexFlats:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsflatsFantasy Busts:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsfantasybustsOr hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite and discuss anything else miniatures related:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshospitalityemail us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

Your hosts have been hustling to get the scoop on Verko's Vault for some time. In this episode, they finally got the full run-down on the exciting plans for what will be one of the largest museums of miniatures yet opened to the public.We also have another of Jim's ongoing Questions for Barry, this one involving how to effectively fade colors with an airbrush.For photos of what we discuss in each episode, visit the Small Subjects blog on boxdioramas.com: http://www.boxdioramas.com/smallsubjectsJoin one of our group builds:Historex:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshistorexFlats:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsflatsFantasy Busts:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsfantasybustsOr hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite and discuss anything else miniatures related:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshospitalityemail us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, your hosts talk with Virginia Beach-based professional miniatures painter Erik Swinson, one of the most stunning talents on the scene today.Erik streams on Twitch most Wednesday evenings: https://www.twitch.tv/erik_swinsonIf you can't make those live streams, you can watch them later on his Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@erik_swinsonFollow Erik on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erik_swinson/and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erikswinsonWe also talk to Dennis Levy and Jack Lynch about some cool things they have planned for this year's MFCA show in May.For photos of what we discuss in each episode, visit the Small Subjects blog on boxdioramas.com: http://www.boxdioramas.com/smallsubjectsJoin one of our group builds:Historex:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshistorexFlats:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsflatsFantasy Busts:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsfantasybustsOr hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite and discuss anything else miniatures related:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshospitalityemail us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

On this episode, your hosts tackle two big ideas they've been thinking and talking about a lot lately. First up: The notion of throwing away all the “rules” and thinking more abstractly. They also talk about digital modeling and 3D printing in terms of it's advantages and disadvantages versus traditional scratch building. For photos of what we discuss in each episode, visit the Small Subjects blog on boxdioramas.com: http://www.boxdioramas.com/smallsubjectsJoin one of our group builds:Historex:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshistorexFlats:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsflatsFantasy Busts:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsfantasybustsOr hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite and discuss anything else miniatures related:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshospitalityWe want to hear from you:  go to https://sayhi.chat/smallSubjects to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode. email us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

We chat with Alabama-based modeler Jon Harbuck, an attorney, a true Southern gentleman, and a favorite for the powerful storytelling in his work.We also talk about Barry and Joan's recent trip to Las Vegas for a painting workshop taught by Matteo di Diomede held at Verko's Vault, the exciting new miniatures museum.For photos of what we discuss in each episode, visit the Small Subjects blog on boxdioramas.com: http://www.boxdioramas.com/smallsubjectsJoin one of our group builds:Historex:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshistorexFlats:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsflatsFantasy Busts:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsfantasybustsOr hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite and discuss anything else miniatures related:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshospitalityWe want to hear from you:  go to https://sayhi.chat/smallSubjects to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode. email us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, your hosts talk about what's been happening at their work benches, and (as usual) a few other things, including a movie they'd been eagerly anticipating but which, alas, let Jim down.Barry gives an update on his restoration of the classic Shep Paine box diorama  “A King of Shreds and Patches (Hamlet Sees the Ghost of His Father),” and Jim talks about two box dioramas he is working on. For photos of what we discuss in each episode, visit the Small Subjects blog on boxdioramas.com: http://www.boxdioramas.com/smallsubjectsJoin one of our group builds:Historex:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshistorexFlats:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsflatsFantasy Busts:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsfantasybustsOr hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite and discuss anything else miniatures related:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshospitalityWe want to hear from you:  go to https://sayhi.chat/smallSubjects to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode. email us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

Warning: Unlike most of our episodes, this one has some profanity.We talk to veteran MMSI member and expert painter Bob Sarnowski.  We also recap MMSI 2023. Listen to find out why there will be one less thing Jim can tease Barry about.For photos of what we discuss in each episode, visit the Small Subjects blog on boxdioramas.com: http://www.boxdioramas.com/smallsubjectsJoin one of our group builds:Historex:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshistorexFlats:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsflatsFantasy Busts:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectsfantasybustsOr hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite and discuss anything else miniatures related:https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallsubjectshospitalityemail us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

Your hosts aren't at all sure that anybody will be interested in this rather self-indulgent episode, but hey, we were just responding to a request from one of our loyal listeners, Jamie Stokes in Australia, who left a voice mail for us on Telbee (and everyone is welcome to do the same by clicking here!).You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comJoin us on Facebook:Historex group buildFantasy bust group build  or hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite. Check out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comWe want to hear from you! CLICK HERE to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode. Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com 

Another illuminating chat with Marijn, this time on the subject of the open system of judging miniatures and models.  We also answer a listener voice message from Grant Mayberry about what to expect at your first open miniature and modelling show.You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comJoin us on Facebook:Historex group buildFantasy bust group build  or hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite. Check out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comWe want to hear from you! CLICK HERE to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode. Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com 

Jim and Barry talk to Dave Youngquist of the ace online hobby shop Last Cavalry. They also chat about Barry's recent trip to the  IPMS/USA National Convention. Photos of the pieces we discuss can be found on our blog on Boxdioramas.com 

In this episode, your hosts have a fascinating chat with British native, now San Diego-based painter and modeler Gary Baker. In addition to being big fans of his work, and agreeing that he's one of the finest gents we've met in the hobby in recent years, we were eager to hear Gary's thoughts about sculpting and painting hair—he's a professional stylist and the creative director at UNITE Hair—and he made us think even more about how much character hair adds to a figure, as well as paying attention to the fine distinctions in hair styles in different eras. We're used to focusing on uniforms and equipment and the way such change, even within the span of one conflict, but Gary got us going even deeper.Barry and Jim are excited about the Historex group build that sprung from the enthusiasm of their listeners. They discuss what makes these little white plastic kits, made up of a bag of initially bewildering parts, so fun to work with. You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comJoin us on Facebook:Historex group buildFantasy bust group build  or hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite. Check out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comWe want to hear from you! CLICK HERE to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode. Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com 

Barry and Jim had a splendid chat with Mike Hilleary, the Connecticut-based modeler they consider one of the best painters in America today. The boys also used the opportunity of a question left on the show's voice mail to discuss that recent editorial in the IPMS Journal by the group's president David Lockhart, which effectively claimed that there would be no modeling shows in the U.S. without the group, and that people who come to and exhibit at its shows without being active members of the club are “freeloaders.”On a much cheerier note, Jim tells the story of the recent auction in Beloit, WI, of some of the classic box dioramas by Shep Paine and others, as well as some of the “super-dioramas” by Bob Letterman and Lewis Pruneau, from the collection of the late Ralph Koebbeman.You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comCheck out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comWe want to hear from you! CLICK HERE to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode.Join our fantasy bust group build on Facebook, or hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite.  Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com 

 On May 5 and 6, your hosts once again traveled to the outskirts of Philadelphia for the 80th Annual Show sponsored by the Miniature Figure Collectors of America, one of the premier exhibitions of miniature arts in the U.S. In this episode, Barry and Jim offer some thoughts on the show recorded after the fact, as well as some live recordings amidst all of the fun on Saturday morning—an audio vérité first for Small Subjects! You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comCheck out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comWe want to hear from you! CLICK HERE to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode.Join our fantasy bust group build on Facebook, or hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite.  Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com 

Joe has been an active modeler since his teens in the early 1970s, and he is one of the most acclaimed artists and well-loved friend-to-all in the miniatures hobby. A retired art teacher, he's a man with a million stories (and a rather famous alter ego, at least among baseball fans). We enjoyed every minute of talking with him, and feel like we've only scratched the surface, so we may well have to consider a recurring segment. (We do love the idea he floated of “Travels with Shep.”) You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comCheck out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comWe want to hear from you! CLICK HERE to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode.Join our fantasy bust group build on Facebook, or hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite.  Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

Your hosts have been big fans of Ingvild Eiring's box dioramas since she first made us aware of them by emailing this Web site and asking if we thought it would make sense to add a gallery for her. Heck yes!, we said, and what's more, we thought we could learn a lot by chatting with this extraordinary artist, since she straddles the worlds of our pursuit, the dollhouse hobby, and fine art. (She has had several gallery exhibitions, and her work is much sought-after by collectors.)You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comCheck out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comWe want to hear from you! CLICK HERE to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode.Join our fantasy bust group build on Facebook, or hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite.  Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

On this episode, we talk with one of Barry's fellow modelers from Utah, Travis Haussener, who, despite the shared passion for miniatures and modeling, differs from him and co-host Jim in two pretty significant ways: Athleticism (you won't find either of us getting buried in an avalanche, mainly because you'd never find either of us on skis), and, um, he holds a PhD in organic chemistry. We thought we could glean some insights into a lot of stuff we use on the workbench all the time without having much of a clue about how it works—or what we may be doing to ourselves by inhaling or ingesting it. We were not disappointed, and in fact, we've already got a long list of questions for a second round with Travis in the future (and maybe his physician wife, too). Modeling may not be as dangerous as skiing off-trail in the mountains, but then again, stabbing yourself with the X-acto or spilling a bottle of plastic cement is no picnic, either. Enjoy!BTW, in spite of Jim welcoming Travis to Sound Opinions, you are indeed listening to Small Subjects.You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comCheck out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comWe want to hear from you! CLICK HERE to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode.Join our fantasy bust group build on Facebook, or hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite.  Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

 Tools (And Other Stuff) We Hate (according to Jim), or Tools (And Other Stuff) That Just Haven't Worked for Him (according to Barry, who is overall a kinder person).You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comCheck out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comWe want to hear from you! CLICK HERE to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode.Join our fantasy bust group build on Facebook, or hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite.  Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

One of our favorite and most outspoken voices in the hobby, we thought it was long overdue for us to chat with Will Pattison, especially since Jim needed some advice on chipping, and Will is the master!  Will frequently posts to the Scale Modelers Critique Group on Facebook, shares his knowledge on his YouTube Channel, and talks modeling and other things with co-hosts Tracy Hancock and Chris Meddings on the Sprue Cutters Union podcast, and he's written for several hobby magazines. He is also no slouch at figure painting.Please note that unlike our other episodes, this episode is marked explicit because it has some profanity (a censored Will Pattison would be like an airplane model without weathering.)You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comCheck out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comWe want to hear from you! CLICK HERE to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode. Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

The name of California-based miniature sculptor Mike Good should be familiar to many in our hobby. We talk with him about his work, his interests, and his methodology. You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comCheck out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comWe want to hear from you! CLICK HERE to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode. Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

Barry and Jim talk with Chicago-area modeler Greg Cihlar, a consistently gold-medal maker of striking dioramas and vignettes in the historical world (World War II a specialty) who's also branched out to do some stunning work in the fantasy realm. You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Check out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comWe want to hear from you! CLICK HERE to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode. Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

 In this episode, Barry and Jim wax rhapsodic about tools and other stuff they can't live without on their workbenches—and they have A LOT of fun doing it! We want to hear from you! CLICK HERE to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode. Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

Based in Dublin, armor modeler and orc sculptor Pat McGrath is a talented miniaturist, as well as a fine artist, an actor and a playwright; he performed a brilliant one-man show about our hobby, Small Plastic Wars  (which we urge you to listen to here), that stands, as far as your hosts Barry and Jim know, as the only theatrical masterpiece exclusively about this odd pursuit of ours.   We also talk about two of the themes in the play: modeling as therapy and (again) the idea of exhibiting vs. competition, and then we chat a bit about other appearances of our hobby in film and television.You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Check out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comWe want to hear from you! CLICK HERE to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode. Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

Jim and Barry chat with John Bonanni about the 2022 International Plastic Modelers' Society USA national convention (the "Nats",) which they attended in Omaha, Nebraska in July.  John is the second vice president of IPMS/USA and happens to share some of our views on how IPMS contests might be improved.You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Check out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comWe want to hear from you! CLICK HERE to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode. Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

In addition to being a fine armor modeler, Pat is a helluva funny guy, who wrote to your hosts saying he'd be eager to chat with us, after we mentioned our enduring fondness for the late, lamented magazine he edited, Military Miniatures in Review. Eager to get the story behind the sad demise of that fine mag, as well as to hear what Pat is currently up to in Delray Beach, Florida (his new publishing company can be found here), we had quite a few laughs, and thoroughly enjoyed our chat. We hope you will, too!You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Check out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comWe want to hear from you! CLICK HERE to leave us a message (up to 60 seconds) about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode. Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

 Calvin Tan has been recognized as one of the most talented sculptors and figure painters in the world, especially among those working with WWII subjects. A graduate of RMIT University who is now the Department Chair at DigiPen Institute of Technology, he's one of the most eloquent artists we've interviewed on this podcast in terms of drawing connections between what we do in miniature (his favored scales: 1/35 and 1/16) and what some of the grand masters did in the realm of fine art; as he pointed out, there is plenty to learn from them, even if the connections aren't always obvious. Calvin has an excellent blog where you can follow his works in progress here,  and, as always, after our chat, your hosts pick several of his pieces to discuss in depth. You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Check out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comWe want to hear from you! CLICK HERE to leave us a message (up to 60 seconds) about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you'd like to hear us address, and we'll air it in an upcoming episode. Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comAnd, in the wake of MFCA 2022 and a continued period of busy modeling by people stuck inside avoiding COVID, we've added a ton of new updates to boxdioramas.com, all of which are charted on the News page, though it's also a lot of fun to just click around." Check out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.com Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

Taesung Harmms is the driving force, artistic director, and primary sculptor behind Alpine Miniatures, one of the highest-quality producers of resin figures in the hobby's marketplace today. You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comAnd, in the wake of MFCA 2022 and a continued period of busy modeling by people stuck inside avoiding COVID, we've added a ton of new updates to boxdioramas.com, all of which are charted on the News page, though it's also a lot of fun to just click around." Check out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.com Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

Painter Marion and sculptor Alan, happily married since 2003, are one of the most dynamic duos in the world of military miniatures. This episode features a chat with them,  along with our recap of the 2022 MFCA Show outside Philadelphia in mid-May. You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comCheck out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comContact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

 Marijn Van Gils has been high atop our list of guests who we were most eager to talk to ever since we launched this podcast, some 18 episodes ago now. We're both big fans of the sculpting, painting, and composition of his dioramas and vignettes, which almost always offer unique views of their subjects and a sly sense of humor.Please visit Chris Meddings' Inside the Armour Publications and order Models for Ukraine, all profits from which will go to humanitarian aid to Ukraine. You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comCheck out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comContact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, as we gear up for the Miniature Figure Collectors of America Show just outside Philadelphia on May 13 and 14, 2022, we chat with one of the event's organizers and a veteran member of the long-running club, Pennsylvania modeler Jack Lynch.  We talked about the club and the upcoming exhibit, as well as about the many roles Jack has played in the hobby, as a dedicated sculptor and painter, a professional model-maker, and a retailer, working with toys, model railroads, and his own miniature creations. We also discuss transporting figures and models to shows. Please visit Chris Meddings' Inside the Armour Publications and order Models for Ukraine, all profits from which will go to humanitarian aid to Ukraine. You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comCheck out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comContact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

 Bristol, England-based Chris Meddings is a master modeler whose scratchbuilding skills are especially stunning; the co-host (with Will Pattison and Tracy Hancock) of the Sprue Cutters' Union podcast; the owner of Inside the Armour Publications, and a budding figure sculptor and painter. We talked with Chris about all of this and more, and followed up on a few questions you, our listeners, have posed.You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comCheck out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comContact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

Jim and Barry talk to Joe Berton and Pat Vess about the Military Miniature Society of Illinois. They also discuss Pat's recent switch from painting in oils to acrylics.  Jim and Barry talk about the benefits of belonging to a modeling club. You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comCheck out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comContact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

 Dennis Levy has been a huge inspiration to the two of us for years, and he was high atop our list for interview subjects from the day we started this podcast. We had a blast talking with Dennis about boxes and more. Jim and Barry also chat about abandoned projects and discuss some unreasonable actions by Barry which almost caused an international incident.  You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Check out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.com Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

Bill Horan needs no introduction, at least in our small world. Barry and Jim talk to the master painter and sculptor, and, as always, discuss some of their favorite pieces from his extensive and impressive canon.  You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comCheck out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comContact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, Barry and Jim talk with veteran East Coast painter, sculptor, educator, and miniatures enthusiast Bill Merklein, a thoughtful artist and great raconteur. A towering figure in the world of G.I. Joe collectors, he brings a truly unique perspective to the world we cover in Small Subjects. You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comCheck out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comContact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

On this episode, Barry and Jim discuss some of their personal “Game-Changers,” pieces they saw that blew their minds, inspired them, and got them thinking in different ways about the possibilities for miniatures.  You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Check out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comContact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

 Nick has earned an international reputation for his boxes—many of which touch on his other passion for film—and his was one of the first artists galleries we added to boxdioramas.com!  We also offer some useful tips when sculpting or converting for scaling your work.You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

 Michael Kontraros is one of the top sculptors in the world in the fantasy realm. For years, he won gold medals and wide renown for his one-off sculpts, which are painted by some of the top artists in Greece, and which are greatly sought-after by collectors. He now runs his own company, Michael Kontraros Collectibles, where he produces stunning figure kits. We also talk about the 2021 MMSI Chicago Show and give a couple of wet palette suggestions you might want to try out. You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

We talk to Joel Glass, a collector of miniatures and a supporter of the MFCA show in Philadelphia as well as World Expo. We also share our thoughts about the world of collecting miniatures. You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com