Also:<ul><li>Inspired by <a href='https://hershrinkrayeye.podbean.com/e/the-parts-bin-is-not-junk-seeing-old-model-parts-differently/'>this episode</a> of Her Shrink Ray Eye about the joys of the spare parts box, some ruminations on our own.</li><li>Thoughts about the big changes at <a href='http://www.dragon-models.com'>Dragon Models</a> and the end of <a href='https://www.andrea-world.com/en/'>Andrea Miniatures</a>, and a question: Is this day coming when styrene models and metal figures will be extinct? (For that matter, pro-manufactured resin: Just buy the file and print it yourself?)</li><li>Thoughts on two more Her Shrink Ray Eye episodes: <a href='https://hershrinkrayeye.podbean.com/e/artistic-paralysis-at-the-bench-i-still-couldnt-choose/'>Artistic Paralysis At the Bench: I Still Couldn't Choose</a> and <a href='https://hershrinkrayeye.podbean.com/e/you-dont-need-the-next-best-project/'>You Don't Need the Next Best Project</a>, in particular how those relate to us.</li><li>Ask Barry: Questions about clear-coating before and after decaling and weathering, the Vortex paint mixers vs. shaking paint stirrers.</li><li>Plus: Thanks to listeners Jim Patrick and Jon Working!</li></ul>

Also:Inspired by this episode of Her Shrink Ray Eye about the joys of the spare parts box, some ruminations on our own.Thoughts about the big changes at Dragon Models and the end of Andrea Miniatures, and a question: Is this day coming when styrene models and metal figures will be extinct? (For that matter, pro-manufactured resin: Just buy the file and print it yourself?)Thoughts on two more Her Shrink Ray Eye episodes: Artistic Paralysis At the Bench: I Still Couldn't Choose and You Don't Need the Next Best Project, in particular how those relate to us.Ask Barry: Questions about clear-coating before and after decaling and weathering, the Vortex paint mixers vs. shaking paint stirrers.Plus: Thanks to listeners Jim Patrick and Jon Working!

Also:<ul><li>Inspired by <a href="https://hershrinkrayeye.podbean.com/e/the-parts-bin-is-not-junk-seeing-old-model-parts-differently/" rel="noopener noreferrer">this episode</a> of Her Shrink Ray Eye about the joys of the spare parts box, some ruminations on our own.</li><li>Thoughts about the big changes at <a href="http://www.dragon-models.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dragon Models</a> and the end of <a href="https://www.andrea-world.com/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Andrea Miniatures</a>, and a question: Is this day coming when styrene models and metal figures will be extinct? (For that matter, pro-manufactured resin: Just buy the file and print it yourself?)</li><li>Thoughts on two more Her Shrink Ray Eye episodes: <a href="https://hershrinkrayeye.podbean.com/e/artistic-paralysis-at-the-bench-i-still-couldnt-choose/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Artistic Paralysis At the Bench: I Still Couldn't Choose</a> and <a href="https://hershrinkrayeye.podbean.com/e/you-dont-need-the-next-best-project/" rel="noopener noreferrer">You Don't Need the Next Best Project</a>, in particular how those relate to us.</li><li>Ask Barry: Questions about clear-coating before and after decaling and weathering, the Vortex paint mixers vs. shaking paint stirrers.</li><li>Plus: Thanks to listeners Jim Patrick and Jon Working!</li></ul>

Episode 72: Various and Sundry, Including, Have we changed our minds about any of our tools we love and hate?

Your hosts last talked with wonderfully imaginative modeler and Austin, TX-based tech consultant <a href='https://www.facebook.com/jakemckee/'>Jake McKee</a> about the possibilities (and, yeah, some of the downsides) of Artificial Intelligence in the hobby back on <a href='https://smallsubjects.buzzsprout.com/1807994/episodes/16650931-episode-55-artificial-intelligence-and-modeling-a-talk-with-jake-mckee'>Episode 55</a> in February 2025. In hyper-speed tech-time, that might as well have been 250 years ago, recorded on parchment with quill and ink like the Declaration of Independence.When he saw Barry at the Rocky Mountain Hobby Expo in May—and claimed the More Than Meets the Eye award sponsored by the <a href='https://hershrinkrayeye.podbean.com'>Her Shrink Ray Eye</a> podcast, as discussed on our last episode and featured in the last installment of this blog—Jake suggested to Barry that he had a whole lot new to say about AI and modeling based on his recent digital discoveries. And since he’s such an engaging and forward-thinking guest, you didn’t have to twist our arms to have him back for a return visit!

Your hosts last talked with wonderfully imaginative modeler and Austin, TX-based tech consultant Jake McKee about the possibilities (and, yeah, some of the downsides) of Artificial Intelligence in the hobby back on Episode 55 in February 2025. In hyper-speed tech-time, that might as well have been 250 years ago, recorded on parchment with quill and ink like the Declaration of Independence. When he saw Barry at the Rocky Mountain Hobby Expo in May—and claimed the More Than Meets the Eye award sponsored by the Her Shrink Ray Eye podcast, as discussed on our last episode and featured in the last installment of this blog—Jake suggested to Barry that he had a whole lot new to say about AI and modeling based on his recent digital discoveries. And since he’s such an engaging and forward-thinking guest, you didn’t have to twist our arms to have him back for a return visit!

Your hosts last talked with wonderfully imaginative modeler and Austin, TX-based tech consultant <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jakemckee/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jake McKee</a> about the possibilities (and, yeah, some of the downsides) of Artificial Intelligence in the hobby back on <a href="https://smallsubjects.buzzsprout.com/1807994/episodes/16650931-episode-55-artificial-intelligence-and-modeling-a-talk-with-jake-mckee" rel="noopener noreferrer">Episode 55</a> in February 2025.&nbsp;In hyper-speed tech-time, that might as well have been 250 years ago, recorded on parchment with quill and ink like the Declaration of Independence.When he saw Barry at the Rocky Mountain Hobby Expo in May—and claimed the More Than Meets the Eye award sponsored by the <a href="https://hershrinkrayeye.podbean.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Her Shrink Ray Eye</a> podcast, as discussed on our last episode and featured in the last installment of this blog—Jake suggested to Barry that he had a whole lot new to say about AI and modeling based on his recent digital discoveries. And since he’s such an engaging and forward-thinking guest, you didn’t have to twist our arms to have him back for a return visit!

Episode 70: Jake McKee Part 2

In this episode, your hosts talk with New Jersey modeler Pete Culos, an active member of the <a href='https://www.mfcaclub.com'>MFCA</a> and <a href='https://artistpreservationgroup.com'>APG</a> (the Artists Preservation Group), one of the most creative box-diorama builders today, and an all-around fine fellow. We also talk about another incredible Rocky Mountain Expo in the Salt Lake City area, and the special awards sponsored by this podcast and Joan’s podcast “Her Shrink Ray Eye.”

In this episode, your hosts talk with New Jersey modeler Pete Culos, an active member of the MFCA and APG (the Artists Preservation Group), one of the most creative box-diorama builders today, and an all-around fine fellow. We also talk about another incredible Rocky Mountain Expo in the Salt Lake City area, and the special awards sponsored by this podcast and Joan’s podcast “Her Shrink Ray Eye.”

In this episode, your hosts talk with New Jersey modeler Pete Culos, an active member of the <a href="https://www.mfcaclub.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">MFCA</a> and <a href="https://artistpreservationgroup.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">APG</a> (the Artists Preservation Group), one of the most creative box-diorama builders today, and an all-around fine fellow. We also talk about another incredible Rocky Mountain Expo in the Salt Lake City area, and the special awards sponsored by this podcast and Joan’s podcast “Her Shrink Ray Eye.”&nbsp;

Episode 69: Chatting with Pete Culos and wrapping up RME 2026

In this episode, we interview John Rosengrant, who is not only an excellent modeler and figure sculptor, he has one of the coolest day jobs as a special effects artist. John has created some of the most memorable and iconic characters in movies and television. Legacy Effects, the special effects company John co-founded:  <a href='https://www.legacyefx.com/'>https://www.legacyefx.com/</a>A lot of John’s modeling work can be found on the following thread at the Planet Figure forum: <a href='https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/101st-airborne-normandy.117700/'>https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/101st-airborne-normandy.117700/</a>John wrote a full article about building his diorama “Leave No Man Behind” in <a href='https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/product/book/12805'>Shep Paine's Armor Modelers Guide </a>(edited by none other than co-host Jim DeRogatis)

In this episode, we interview John Rosengrant, who is not only an excellent modeler and figure sculptor, he has one of the coolest day jobs as a special effects artist. John has created some of the most memorable and iconic characters in movies and television. Legacy Effects, the special effects company John co-founded: https://www.legacyefx.com/ A lot of John’s modeling work can be found on the following thread at the Planet Figure forum: https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/101st-airborne-normandy.117700/ John wrote a full article about building his diorama “Leave No Man Behind” in Shep Paine's Armor Modelers Guide (edited by none other than co-host Jim DeRogatis)

In this episode, we interview John Rosengrant, who is not only an excellent modeler and figure sculptor, he has one of the coolest day jobs as a special effects artist. John has created some of the most memorable and iconic characters in movies and television. Legacy Effects, the special effects company John co-founded:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.legacyefx.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.legacyefx.com/</a>A lot of John’s modeling work can be found on the following thread at the Planet Figure forum: <a href="https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/101st-airborne-normandy.117700/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/101st-airborne-normandy.117700/</a>John wrote a full article about building his diorama “Leave No Man Behind” in <a href="https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/product/book/12805" rel="noopener noreferrer">Shep Paine's Armor Modelers Guide </a>(edited by none other than co-host Jim DeRogatis)

Episode 2: John Rosengrant

Welcome to Small Subjects! In this first episode, Jim and Barry share their thoughts on accepting critiques and having your models judged at shows. Also, some thoughts on the different types of exhibitions or competitions.

Welcome to Small Subjects! In this first episode, Jim and Barry share their thoughts on accepting critiques and having your models judged at shows. Also, some thoughts on the different types of exhibitions or competitions.

Welcome to Small Subjects! In this first episode, Jim and Barry share their thoughts on accepting critiques and having your models judged at shows. Also, some thoughts on the different types of exhibitions or competitions.

Episode 1: Entering Your Work In Model Shows and Accepting Critiques

Small Subjects is a podcast devoted to discussing big topics in the worlds of scale modeling, diorama-building, and sculpting and painting miniature figures, as well as presenting interviews with some of the top artists in the field, including every era, and ranging from historical to fantasy subjects. Co-hosts Barry Biediger, who is based in Salt Lake City, and Jim DeRogatis, who lives in Chicago, are the editors of the Web site boxdioramas.com. Both have decades of experience as modelers, though they maintain that they are always curious and always learning. They are dedicated members of the Military Miniature Society of Illinois, where they considered the great Sheperd Paine a friend and mentor. Barry is also a member of his local chapter of the Armor Modeling and Preservation Society, while DeRogatis has written, co-written, or edited ten books about popular music and two about miniatures and modeling (Sheperd Paine: The Life and Work of a Master Modeler and Military Historian and Shep Paine’s Armor Modelers Guide). You can contact the hosts at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

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Small Subjects is a podcast devoted to discussing big topics in the worlds of scale modeling, diorama-building, and sculpting and painting miniature figures, as well as presenting interviews with some of the top artists in the field, including every era, and ranging from historical to fantasy subjects. Co-hosts Barry Biediger, who is based in Salt Lake City, and Jim DeRogatis, who lives in Chicago, are the editors of the Web site boxdioramas.com. Both have decades of experience as modelers, though they maintain that they are always curious and always learning. They are dedicated members of the Military Miniature Society of Illinois, where they considered the great Sheperd Paine a friend and mentor. Barry is also a member of his local chapter of the Armor Modeling and Preservation Society, while DeRogatis has written, co-written, or edited ten books about popular music and two about miniatures and modeling (Sheperd Paine: The Life and Work of a Master Modeler and Military Historian and Shep Paine’s Armor Modelers Guide). You can contact the hosts at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

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