The Grand Duchy of Stollen

The last few wagons and carts are just about done. T his past weekend has been one of those rare three-day periods (Fall Break Day today, so no classes) where things were relaxed, quiet, and just a real joy.  A nice blend of family time, alone time, and time with the Grand Duchess.  For instance, the two of us enjoyed a campfire in the portable firepit late Saturday evening.  Chilly, dry air, a slight breeze, and the spicy aroma of woodsmoke plus warmed apple cider flavored with cinnamon sticks.  It was a delightful way to end an otherwise delightful day. On the painting front, I've also managed to sit down to the painting table for about 90 minutes or so the last couple of evenings to work on the drovers and drivers, which, as you can see from the photograph above, are just almost done.  The horses are finished too, although their harnesses and such still require a few judicious dabs of brass and silver to suggest buckles, bits, and baubles. You'll also notice that a

This model of acoustic steel string by Ibanez is on the way to Stollen Central! A completely unrelated post here, but I'm excited.  At the end of the month when he celebrates his 5th birthday, the Young Master will receive a guitar like the one above from Ol' Dad.  Like many children, he loves music, often requesting Diana Krall for suppertime listening when we sit down at the table together.  Sting, Peter, Paul, and Mary,  and The Beatles are among his other favorites, and he enjoys listening to me play the guitar on rare occasion.  Yours truly first received a guitar on the day I celebrated my own 5th birthday way back in 1971, and it seems like a sound idea to continue the tradition.  I think he'll be thrilled when he unwraps it.  For my part, I'll certainly be thrilled to present a guitar to the Young Master on the big day. -- Stokes

The now finished Prussian Blacksmith vignette, which I call 'The Thrown Show.'  Figures are from the amazing Minden Miniatures range while the mobile field forge and tools are by Berliner Zinnfiguren.  The table was scratch-built using the ends of round toothpicks for the legs and a couple of pieces of white illustration board along with very careful cutting and gluing.  Holding one's breath is always extremely helpful with tiny stuff like this. H ow's the painting coming along, old man?  Thought you'd never ask.  Slower than molasses in January to be frank.  The usual stuff associated with my courses and students I'm afraid, but I did manage to wrap up an article and send it along to the people waiting on it last weekend.  I also managed to finish, finally, the Prussian blacksmith vignette above (the table and tools), and take a bunch of photographs of various things completed earlier this year to send along with the article.   So, while no painting occu