From SylvainR: Zen In and After Chaos

 

Absorbing the positive "qi" energy of freshly painted miniatures. 

Note that seven (a very sacred number) "double trays" are lying around me in half circle, channeling positive energy towards a center point where I sit. This is an utmost satisfying place to be. 

A thousand thanks to Curt and Sarah, gracious hosts to the annual painting party. You are most generous with your time.

Thanks to the Minions, especially to PeterD, leader of the Tuesday Terrors, and to Miles, the patient spreadsheet guru.

Thanks to the Wednesday Crew for being so patient with me. Sorry I did not spend much time on Discord.

Challenge XVI is now over. I don't know about other challengers, but this year I found that time spent painting helped me stay "zen" in the chaos created by some people's "guts decisions". I will not elaborate. A few days ago, paint jars and scenery material were still chaotically piled up on my paint desk, but now I just finished cleaning up. This recovered state of order and balance makes me feel "zen" too. Enough introspection, let's see what new toys I got to play with:

2023: 12 trays of 6mm WW2

2024: 11 trays of 6mm WW2, 3 trays of 28mm D&D

2025:   7 trays of 6mm WW2, 4 trays of 28mm D&D (1051 points)

2026:   4 trays of 6mm WW2, 6 trays of 28mm D&D, 4 trays of 1/300 boats (1355 points)

I was able to paint all the miniatures I prepared. The D&D project is over, after three years, and I will certainly miss applying bright colors to cool monsters. I'll have to find another "colorful" project for next year. The completion of core Cruel Seas flotillas for the British, German and Italian makes me very happy. These sea bases are lots of work, but the final look is so worth it. I will now start preparing miniatures for the next Challenge.

Thanks for reading and see you next year! 

Sylvain