It is very easy to continue modelling the same type of models or even the same model year in year out and not actually make any real progress so much so that it all becomes rather boring and a bit stale. I for one have done that for far too many years and although they have bought me enjoyment after all it is nice to get some thing finished however there has been nothing to test my skills as a modeller, I guess for me it has made it easier to get things completed and onto the table at Telford every year by removing the fear factor which is something that has been prevalent in my modelling for quite a long time, maybe even back to the mid 90’s. In all honesty I do not really know where or when the fear factor crept in and it is not something worth pondering I just need to give it the old heave ho and get back to completing models on a regular basis and not using every excuse under the sun as a reason not to be at the bench and hardly finishing anything that I start. I look back at the last 20 or so years quite embarrassed at my modelling output having started more models than have been completed some of which collect dust on the shelf of shame and some that have got broken during years of being moved around and have found themselves sadly in the bin.
As I sit here thinking about all that wasted modelling time and feeling ashamed about all the missed opportunities and all the money I have spent creating a stash that would not look out of place as stock in a model shop, and I ask what is it all for, I could say that it is for my retirement however what would happen if say I got arthritis or lost my hand in an accident, you could say what is the likelihood?, what are the chances of that happening, well sadly I had a power saw accident some years ago and it only takes one lapse in concentration and bang, or chop and you are waving your hand and any chances of finishing off any of the models in the stash goodbye. Some might say that it is essential to have some models sitting doing nothing, you know just in case you may need them, for me they have become a bit of white elephant, maybe in some way a psychological barrier to becoming a more prolific modeller, I have so much choice that it becomes almost impossible for me to choose what to build next and what does not help is the rate at which new models are released. I always start every January, and this one being no different that I will not add any new kits to the stash and so far so good, however I have said that I will only buy kits at shows this year and only if I see something that catches my eye.
So with an intimidating stash, too much choice and time in short supply I have a bit of a conundrum, how can these issues be dealt with and how can I get back to doing more than 2 or 3 models a year and halt this only building for Telford cycle and get some models finished and ready for the upcoming shows that I display at. I have had a good sort through the shelf of shame and have gotten rid of anything that is broken and is not worth persevering with and have decided to concentrate on getting all those ready for paint, painted, finished and ready to be displayed. That hopefully will remove the psychological block that I seem to have and bring me back to a more prolific phase and help remind me that my hobby is to be enjoyed and not something to struggle with, a way to relax away from the daily pressures of life. On reflection there is so much I could have achieved since I started modelling back in the early 90’s that has not been achieved and it makes me feel disappointed in myself about that fact and it is only me that can do anything about it. With all this in mind the other weekend while trying my best to avoid the workbench I wrote myself a little list of some of the things that I have not achieved yet would like to, I have never successfully painted a figure, painted a bust, built a diorama, a vignette or an aeroplane, or even painted camouflage on a vehicle, I could go on, it’s a damning list of personal disappointments that truly represents my meagre lack of modelling output over the last 30 years.
So here I am contemplating that first step out of my safe modelling place and out into the wider world and away from the comfort zone, writing about all my short comings will hopefully help to focus the mind and get me started on the right track. A few years ago my modelling cohorts Keith and Andy along with myself chose the Eduard 1/48 Fokker DR 1 as a group build and I know that they have completed theirs however mine is still in its infancy and although started I view it with a certain suspicion as it is a step outside the comfort zone and of course it scares me somewhat yet on the other hand I am kind of looking forward to dragging it from the pile of shame and getting it finished as I do have other aircraft models in my stash and you never know it may just be the catalyst to propel me and my modelling in a new direction. There is maybe one stumbling block to success, I have not built an aircraft since before I was a teenager but hey what could possibly go wrong???. Watch this space…
The Average Modeller
The Average Modeller 