MMSI's Chicago Show coming soon, Oct. 10-12

[JimDeRo]

Hi all -- Though this is my first post to the board, I have been monitoring it for some time; my primary interest is 54mm historical figures, but I also very much admire the fantasy minis and garage kits.

Anyway, I am coming out of "lurker" mode because I just wanted to give you all an early head's up that the Military Miniatures Society of Illinois will host its 34th annual Chicago Show, one of the premier figures and modeling exhibitions in the U.S., from Oct. 10-12 at the Chicago Marriott Hotel in Schaumburg. (Much more info at https://www.mmsichicago.com.)

Though the show has a rep as one of the best in the U.S. or worldwide for displaying the work of some of the most renowned military figure modelers, the subjects actually range far and wide, and there has been an increasing amount of fantasy work in recent years, too. Plus, the seminars and the vendor's area are of use to modelers working in any scale, wargamers or miniatures fans.

This year's seminars have just been announced. Matt Springer will host the first, a session on "Sculpting Personality Busts," at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, and Mike Blank will talk about the composition of his new Joan of Arc diorama (as seen in progress at the World Expo in Spain; https://www.planetfigure.com/forums/s...highlight=joan) on Sunday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m. (The exhibition area opens for set-up at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, and the awards are presented on Saturday night at 8:30, with the MMSI's renowned hospitality suite going full-swing afterwards and at other times through the course of the weekend.)

Finally, the most exciting news for me personally, Sheperd Paine, modeler extraordinaire and veteran MMSI member and judging committee chairman, will be signing copies of the new coffee table book that I've written about his life and work, due to be published by Schiffer Books in late August, and featuring more than 750 incredible photos and the stories behind all of his best-known pieces. More info on that can be found at https://sheperdpaine.com/ and https://jimdero.com/MiniatureOpen.htm. Shep's book signing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday.

Room rates at the hotel are a reasonable $90 per night when you mention the MMSI (and please do, since the club affiliation helps keep rates reasonable!). As always, more info can be found at https://www.mmsichicago.com/.

Sorry for the promotional blast, but hope to see you all in Chicago this fall, or at the bookstore soon!

[mahon]

I wish it was closer, as the event seems to be so promising!

As you should have noticed, we don't mind such posts - we consider them helpful and informative for the hobbyists community! Please keep us posted and maybe post a small report after the event?

Thanks!

[paintminion]

Will be there as usual with my Dryad and other fantastic new stuff! As an MMSI member, I think they'd find me and drag me out for public flogging if I missed it! Though I'll not be in on the judging this year, I believe that a few other friends will be doing assistant judging. I stepped aside to make room for them and start focusing on the hospitality suite...uh...on my painting and learning new stuff.

Shep is a wonderful artist, and all the guys at MMSI are great and have been incredibly open to what Noel, George and I are doing on the fantasy side.

So seriously folks...if you want another opportuinity to see some great work and meet and talk with some of the best in the world, even in the fantasy/sf world, come to this event that focuses on the hobby completely. Everyone there is an enthusiastic supporter and modeller.

Just as a heads up, you'll find myself (PaintMinion), Noel Meyer (Skya), George Mickelson (Eastman), Anne Foerster (Vaitalla), and possibly Jennifer "Paintrix" Haley and french master Jeremie Bonamant Teboul (bragon), as well as any others we can convince to come for the party and stay for the models.

So Jim, tell us more about the book! When and where can I get one!?

[Nameless]

would love to get there. bit too far for me though, as every other US con.
can you move it from chicago to ... another Polish city?

[Dragyn]

Based on the timing and location, I may actually be able to attend the show this year. I haven't been to one for several years so it should be fun.

[JimDeRo]

PaintMinion: The book is entitled Sheperd Paine: The Life and Work of a Master Modeler and Military Historian and it's coming from Schiffer Books in late August/early September. It's a true labor of love, with more than 750 pictures (most in color) of every piece Shep did during his modeling years, and interviews in the Q&A format about his inspirations and his methods.

Schiffer is lagging behind in setting up the Amazon page or the page on its own online catalog, but I have some info on my own site at https://jimdero.com/MiniatureOpen.htm, and Shep has set up https://sheperdpaine.com/. And the publishers assure us the book will be there in time for the signing at the Chicago show -- I can't blame them for lagging slightly in production, because it's a massive undertaking, but it will be well worth the wait!

Thanks for asking!

[paintminion]

Yep, I heard about the book a few months ago and have been waiting for it somewhat impatiently.