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gary sausmikat
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Link to my past.....

May 24, 2018 · in Photo Collections · 14 · 2.8K

In my early teens, when I first saw those wonderful Shep Paine pamphlets included with Monogram kits, a new door was opened for me that took model building from being just a kids hobby to a passion. Even now, many years later, Mr. Paine's work is still an inspiration for me. A couple of years ago I found out that some of his models/shadow boxes were just a few hours from where I live, so I had to go see them. The photos aren't the greatest but I'd still like to share them with you. Who knows, maybe they'll again inspire someone, new or old, to higher aspirations in this wonderful "hobby" of ours.

If interested, these models may be viewed (if they are still there) during the Andrew Wyeth Studio tour, located at the Brandywine River Museum of Art, in Chadds Ford, PA.

Reader reactions:
6  Awesome

10 additional images. Click to enlarge.


14 responses

  1. These are really cool! I too was touched/affected/motivated by the Shep Paine inserts that came with many Monogram kits way back when. That's not terribly far away from me - I may need to make that journey myself.
    thanks for sharing!

  2. Wonderful post. Thanks.

  3. Fascinating indeed...I've never seen these before - thanks for sharin' 'em.

  4. One of my personal favourite Paine dioramas, makes me smile after years and years.

    The Idylls of the Voltigeur
    (1972, 54mm)

  5. Bravo, Gary! Beautifully done!

    Well, when it comes to dioramas, you can't go wrong with anything by the late, great Sheperd Paine. He was a force of nature. Like the rest of you responders so far, the Monogram kits with his work featured in there inspired me, tho' I don't have the kind of talent that you do, Gary! The S.P. dio that really got me going was the one included in the B-17 kit. The picture in my mind remembering the crewman holding the creased, but not penetrated flak helmet and wearing the plane's artwork pin up girl in PERFECT miniature on his leather flight jacket still makes me get goose bumps!

    Gary, your shadow boxes are exquisite! You were doing work that Mr. Paine would certainly have appreciated. Outstanding, my friend!

  6. One of my favorite builders of dioramas is Bob Letterman. I had a chance to meet Bob a few months back and go to his house where he has his basement full of his works and displays of various artifacts that he has collected over the years. Bob was an integral part to Verlinden in the 70's and 80's and most of his works are ones that he has modeled over a few decades. Bob also told me how much he admired Shep and how much he influenced some of his builds. Bob also owns a couple of Shep's works. Some of Bob's work may be viewed here; http://www.modelersalliance.org/forum/bob-letterman if you are interested in his way of modeling please come and visit the forum and enjoy the great modeling of various people there.

  7. Pleasure to view these works of art, thanks for sharing Gary.

  8. very nice, thanx for sharing. I did not realize he was so versatile based on the examples you share.

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