Challenge XIII (Winter 2022-23) - RobH Intro

Good day all.  My name is Rob and  I've been a miniature gamer for slightly over 5 decades. Some may thing I have a problem. Some have asked why I don't suffer from the effects of lead poisoning. My main problem is the unpainted mound of figures. In my case neatly categorized and stored away in tin boxes. 

The wall of shame to the right of my work table

I have no plans. I will be attracted to whatever bright and shiny object should catch my eye.  I am certain there are unpainted minis in any box I choose to open. With temperatures in Montreal now regularly below zero, I will not be doing anymore prep until the spring thaw. Fortunately we are still a snow free zone.

Currently on the table, unfinished Victrix War Elephants,
Bofers AA Gun and crew by Bad Squiddo Games and,
some Roman High Command by Black Tree Design

Other distractions located to the left of my work table.

Behind me, the office and on the other side of the half wall, my bedroom. For me January is the start of my busy season with tax prep and then the Canadian income tax season. It is when I have the least time to commit to any gaming activity including the painting challenge and I will spend more time in front of the office computer than anything else for almost the next five months.

In the upper left there are 4 red tool boxes. In total I have 20,
each containing a fully painted army

And of course, none could take place without the constant supervision of her Imperial Majesty Josephine, Empress of Her World.

 

BruceR: Hobby space and Challenge XIII excitement

Here in the Great White North, slightly south of the Snow Lord is this humble hobby space.  This is my 3rd challenge and I've enjoyed every minute/miniature through the event.  My first was during COVID and I'm hooked.  I am still Blog challenged, I know I should, but I've not taken the time as I usually just sit at the paint table rather than record the events to the hobby.  I talk about retirement as I can and maybe the Blog will blossom when I finally pull the plug.

I'm ready for the Challenge as we had 18" of snow in mid-November and we expect another 12-18 this coming week. Going to be a long winter. 

The War Department (Rox) and I are empty nesters with Loki the wonder dog and three grand dogs who visit on occasion with our ranch managing son.  Our daughter lives in our city and we spend time with her when she allows.  

I've gamed since high school with the rural nature of ND, USA being a slight impediment to my expanding horizons.  SPI or Avalon Hill started this, with Chain Mail sending me into miniatures with plastic 15mm knights ordered from the back of a comic book.  A deep dive into D&D and AD&D during college continued the momentum.  A tour in the military exposed me to many more miniature gamers and the concept of club in Colorado Springs, while stationed at Ft. Carson, CO, with the 4ID.  I've never looked back.  

I'm lucky as our home is large, when purchased had an unfinished utility room space.  The furnace and water heater take up 3x6' in a 15 x 24' space.  Unfinished so the War Department simply doesn't care I've taken over as the hobby dungeon (other than my struggle to keep storage from entering the space).  I talk about finishing the room but moving all my hobby stuff makes me always pause.  I do have 5-6 friends and we game in the dungeon regularly.   

As many of you, I'm a gadfly wondering from project to project and system to system.  I tend to have a very cluttered workspace and my office at work is also covered in papers, so it is who I am.  Here is my tour of the space.  

  
Paint station:

Tech Station to the left for viewing:

Airbrush station to the right:

One Hobby Wall:

Game table:

Loki the CSM of the game room begging for chase the bumper down the hill time.  (Quick trips during the cold season)

My planned projects:

    1) 28mm pirates for a Adepticon participation game to include a 28mm sloop.

    2) 15mm Napoleonic

    3) 2 1/1200 ships left to complete my fleet

    4) 28mm Italian winter WW2 troops

    5) 28mm AWI

    6) The Silver Bayonet Austrian, Prussian, Russian

    5) 15mm Zulu wars

    6) Space Hulk terminators and bugs

    7) Other odds and sods.  Ha

I enjoy the painting, the viewing, the commenting and the fellowship the challenge provides.  The War Department (who has a MS in social work) tells me it is a support group and I guess it is.  We support each other's hobbies in a very positive way, and all should be grateful for the opportunity.  So, even before we start a be thanks to the Snow Lord and Lady Sarah, along with the minions for your efforts.  

CHALLENGE ON!

Cheers, Bruce