What's it like to see performance photos when you don't show?

I came up with this article idea after seeing a continuous flood of performance show photos and blogposts by Americans. I live in Finland and therefore am European, so my perspective differs a lot from the folk far there. 

I haven't heard about any shows being held in Europe during the worldwide disaster which 2020 has been honored to mark as a synonym of. Meanwhile, Americans seem to have some activity in the model horse field, and a lot! Photo shows are a thing now. Some people blog about this stuff a lot (at least at the moment), and I can well say that I enjoy reading that and seeing all the photos about it. 

What do those posts and photos usually evoke in people who are seeing them? Most of the time the reader is most likely another model horse hobbyist, so that explains half of it. According to what I've seen via the blog stuff, people inspire each other and encourage themselves to do the more or less silly photos and stories. They command each other to have fun. 

A fun but technically so outdated photo from 2016.

While American model horse hobbyists have been busy with performance photo show entries, tack, dolls, props and all that, also I have been sitting in my art room, doing miniature stuff. But instead of performance crafts, I've been sculpting mini clay rats, food and water bowls, and most recently I've also assembled a few model rat cages. 

I very recently rebuilt this one.

I have model horse tack projects in mind and I actually HAVE to make some of them soonish. I have ideas for photos. I have a lot of dolls. I have plans. I have stories in my head. 

But none of that has anything to do with model horse showing. I don't do shows. But I like to make tack, put it on the horses, put dolls on the saddles, basically play with my stuff... All this just for fun, as was said in this older post.

Often, when I read those blog posts by American hobbyists, it makes me want to grab some horses, dolls and tack and do a couple setups. I want to photograph them and then blog them. I used to do all that a lot at some point, excluding the blogging part; the most important thing has always been just to have the nice setups and scenes documented so that I can see them later as well. 

Mirrors are nice and useful, but take ah so much space.

Then I remember that hey, I don't even have a photo studio... Anymore... And I do not have any room or place for it. I'm these people who do not lay on the floor with their toys - instead, I need a table or a shelf to place my studio box on, and then I also need some lamps and probably a tripod for my camera. I have no space or resources for any of this at the moment, and it's not going to change anytime soon. I have no idea if and when it will change, but it annoys me to no end to realize that I can't save all the ideas I have in time. 

So, basically seeing those perf photos makes me both fascinated and frustrated at the same time. I'm not blaming anyone here - it was me who decided to destroy my studio box, but there were reasons to why it happened. Now getting a new photo studio depends from two things: 1. I should find a LARGE enough cardboard box (the previous one was too small) and 2. I need something to place it on top of. 

I happen to own a pile of largeish cloths which I have hoarded just for model horse photography use. They take two large plastic tubs to live in. My favorite will still always be the big sand brown/creamy fabric, which can be seen in many of my photos, obviously. 

I seemingly said what I wanted to... In one sentence, after all that useless blabbering. 

As I just said, I lack the resources for good photos at the moment. Despite that I've assembled and documented a few modelverse scenes anyway - it just doesn't look good due to how... I've placed the models on top of a small and narrow shelf where I keep my littlebits. It happens to be black and with a white wall behind it. I can't do more than just some basic wholebody shots, and the light is too poor to allow detail shots (my camera struggles to focus). I also get physically exhausted thanks to this, because it's not even close to being ergonomic. Basically I've simply given up at trying to do good photos, and these pics turn out ugly. A white paper taped on the annoying marks doesn't help much.

Yes, you definitely can see a western guy riding in English tack here. I don't have any western saddles and I have no idea how to make one. The hackamore is also awful... On purpose.

And here is a cat who needs clothes. Removable clothes.

Still, I seem to have a feeling that I am going to have a new, bigger and better photo studio again someday... Meanwhile I take my ugly photos just to save some ideas for the better future. 

By the way, once Braymere did a blogpost where she mentioned that simplified backgrounds are totally fine. It hit me hard, positively, because that is exactly how I have been doing my own modelverse photos for long years! And I have secretly wished that people would make it acceptable... 

Studio photos with a simple background are my "specialty"... If I ever even had that much experience of any other form of photography! (So the specialty mention is a joke.)

There is also more what I wanted to say. One thing which makes me feel like an outsider with model horse showing question is, that I personally have never participated in stuff like that. I've never been into competiting with other people who craft stuff similar to mine. An excuse is that I just don't understand why people would play "being better" than everyone else. I know that model horse showing is meant to be fun and not too serious and this and that, but it still is about placing higher than your fellow showers. I myself would be a bad judge, because a. I have my own really strict views and opinions about what to judge, and b. I simply wouldn't want to place just one first. I would not want to put people's creations into a bettering order. 

That mention about me having strict opinions about judging is... Something I want to talk about, but maybe not here. I don't know how to word it, really. I have never judged model horse shows, and I'm not an expert with different breeds' standards, so it's not about being "too knowing" or anything, but the opposite... I just happen to be really picky about art and realism in it, and I am a total tack spy. I spy details and accuracy. I judge horse photos every time I see them, be them about real or model horses. I think, due to how I look at these photos, I would also be really unfair if I was asked to judge photos by beginners or children, who naturally can't do everything at the level where the more experiences people can do. And let me say, I'm not at that high level myself neither... But as I said, I struggle to word this thing, so I will well stop it here then. I'm afraid people will greatly misinterpret what I say.

So many tack fails that I can't even count... And it is quite the idea of this heavily edited photo.

Anyway, it was good to be able to turn all these thoughts into words for once. I've been wanting to write a post like this for so long time now... More to come? 

Illustrating this post was extremely difficult. Every photo I choose seems to have at least one serious flaw which I am ashamed of. I don't bother to show those in the context of good performance photos... So that is why there are so many "behind the scenes" pics.

Showing = collecting?

It seems that some people buy tack and new models only because they show. And the opposite example is that some people don't buy tack or high quality horses because they don't show.

This post may contain slightly provocating writing and one-sided view. I'm no way against the people whose ideology I talk about here - we're just different. So please don't rip your nerves off in case it's possible. 

I ask, why not to buy tack, if you don't show? Is there something wrong in it? If everything should correlate with showing, be it halter or performance, wouldn't that mean that all the fun goes... off? Some hobbyists really say they don't buy tack because they don't show their horses. I personally can NOT understand this logic.

Of course, it's fine if someone wants to just collect horses and not buy tack. It's really okay. Most of us are more interested and focused on the horses alone. I would like to collect and make more horses as well, but that is not possible... But at least I can make tack. And dolls.

A bridle which works and so on. Made it just for fun and my own materialism.

But my point was that I have no idea why you should stop collecting tack BECAUSE you don't SHOW your horses.

I have never showed my models, and I own a huge pile of tack. I make practically all of it myself, with some exceptions. I want to improve and become a professional in both tackmaking and also sculpting and painting. I use dolls and want to make them ride well, if a certain doll has to. My goal is to be able to make and assemble something which would look like it was in full scale. Why do I do this, you ask?

I need to buy another box for my saddles...

Simply because it is what model horse hobby is about. It is not about showing, it is about the horses, the tack, the props, the dolls, the realism and setups. It's hobbying. Showing is just one part of it, and not everyone does it. Just like not everyone collects tack, let alone makes any. Showing is not the only purpose of collecting horses and tack, though I can understand why someone finds it more motivating than just... collecting because of collecting.

But I still don't understand why people refuse to buy tack, with the argument of "not needing it because not showing". Hey - you don't need the showing itself either (if we look at it from the scientific view)!

Great tack doesn't go to waste if it wasn't made or collected for performance showing.

Another bridle which I made just for fun. Everything works and is removable just because I want it to be so. I tacked this horse (who I originally bought because he matches to a horse I once met in a dream) up just to complete the doll seat checking session (was trying to find matching saddles for each) that I documented.

And the horses. Why can't you buy an excellent piece of art just to enjoy it yourself and feel the happiness of owning it? Why has everyone else to be able to see it? Why do you choose a model because you want it to win, and not because it "speaks for you"? Honestly, one should collect horses with the emotional and personal interest being the first and most important factor in buying it. Great model horses don't go to waste if they aren't showed. An artist isn't and should not be angry or sad if you can't let everyone see that magnificent piece of art; it's yours, no one else HAS to see it.

I collect and (try to) make great horses because I like them, and they match to my criterias what I have for model horses; anatomically realistic and tack friendly. I also make my tack as good as possible because I like tack and want to have it for my horses. It also adds some detail and interest to my photos, let alone using dolls. Without all that "performance" stuff I would not photograph my models that much, or at all. And I have never taken any photos with shows in mind. I have never bought or made anything with showing in mind...

Tilda would no way win anything in shows, be it halter or perf, and her sculpting style is very rough. Yet she already developed a little crack at the right foreleg (you can see it above the knee). But dammit, I honestly like her face - she is my next completed OSC ever, and I honestly wasn't expecting her head to turn out even that well! (Meanwhile the rest of the entire horse is practically trash...)

(One thing is that here are no shows in my country, and while I - in theory - would participate in international photo shows, I simply have never felt large interest towards it. If showing was the only reason to hobby model horses, why would I hobby at all at home then? I still wish I was able to buy - and paint! - those expensive traditional scale resins, and all this simply because I like them so much. My only problem is that they're really expensive and my painting skills wouldn't do any justice for them.)

I bought this old dude used, and was aware of the fact that he was a great victim for customizing. Eventually I just found out he wasn't in that bad condition at all for my standards, so I was able to have him in my collection the way he already was and is. I don't mind some little scratches.

It's enough that you like it and want to have it. There is no need for other excuses.

Why just that horse? Kave edition!

So, Afuze wrote a great post about choosing what models to get. And I promised to her to write my own. So here we go!

Sign Of Hope
I don't quite know what made me fall in love with Kodi. But I did. At the time I could not get it, I did not have the money for models. So I had it's picture open on my phone at all times! I was sure, that it would sell out before I could have the money to get it. But then my life turned around, and I decided to treat myself to make me feel better. Also my mother gifted me some of her prize. I thought getting this model could be a sign of hope, sign of things getting better. So I bought her, and I am completely in love. One of the best buys I've made. Also, she was not named immediately. I felt she was special and needed a special name. And then I was listening to Scorpions' new song Sing Of Hope and it clicked. Sign Of Hope really tells what this model was and is for me. At bad times I now look at her, and I think that things will get better.

Sign Of Hope "Kodi"/"Sinkku"

Silence In The Age Of Apes
 This one is a model that when I first saw her I was sure I would never get. Or to be truthful it was the first ten times... I did not like it's colour added to the mold lady phase at first. Then things just turned around one day. And I NEEDED her. Getting her wasn't that simple either. I wanted a foal model really much, and that model was the priority for me. So I wanted to find a good mother to the foal. As I think genetics are important with horse colours I talked with Afuze for hours about what mare to get. We had to dig deep into genetics and make sure this mare could be the mother of the foal. In the end, to my delight we came to the conclusion that Sumppi could be Litku's mom. So I bought her!

 I am in love with her, and she kicked off my final love for vintage molds. I did not like them that much before getting her and now I need them all! Her colour also has grown onto me, I think it is beautiful on Lady Phase mold. This model is a must get for everyone!

Silence In The Age Of Apes "Sumppi"

Little Bit Off
And we are circling around to the foal I was talking about. I drooled over her for years. I did not have a traditional foal in my collection before her. And I like to keep my collection as versatile as possible, so getting a foal was a must. I already told a bit about getting her. I knew that I was going to order her, but looked for days to find a mother. I wanted her to have a mother! Breyer doesn't make enough mares! But in the end I got her (was the last of the shop, so was lucky to get her as she is not produced anymore) and I am really happy with her!

Little Bit Off "Litku" on the right

Itch You Cannot Scratch
This one was my first breyer! I had been dreaming of breyers for years, and finally asked my mom for one for my birthday. I ordered Sam, but because there was an error Sam was actually out of stock. So I told my mom she could decide what one to get. This is another model that I did not want at all. But with this, that was my opinion until I got him. And the rest is history... This is the only mold I want to conga, and he is a favourite in my collection. So much, that he has his own private shelf! Love, love, love this boy and could not be happier that I got him. If it wasn't for my mom I would of never got him. Pictures don't do him or the mold justice!

Itch You Cannot Scratch "Kutina"

Tango Del Dolor
 This boy was a model that I kind of got in a whim. He was on sale, and I googled pictures of him. I did not like the christmas decoration, and it hid the beauty of this one! I saw a couple pictures of him without the tack and fell in love. I LOVE grey colour on animals! This is due to the fact that all my dogs are grey. I know that grey colour works different in horses, but I still love getting models in shades of grey. This boy is a really loved one in my collection. I really love Moody molds, so obviously this one I like. He has gorgeous shading, and under all that tack you can find a model that every collection would like having. Or at least that's what I think.

Tango Del Dolor "Tango"

Other models
Yes, I know I have many other traditionals in my colletion. But a lot of them do not have entertaining stories like the ones above. And I think this part belongs here. Some of my models I can't remember teh stories for. I have just liked them and got them. Before getting a model I always google photos, Breyer's pictures are not that good. A lot of models I would have never gotten if I only looked at those.

I like having a lot of variety in my collection, so I always keep that in mind while buying models. I like having different colors, molds, breeds, you name it. Another thing I look into nowadays is my modelverse. I sometimes need different models for it, so some of my buyings are based on that. Also I just sometimes think a model is pretty and want it just for that reason.

A lot of models have been gifts from my family. With these I normally give them a list of about five or so models that I would like to get. Then they which one to get and surprise me. Because of this I can't write about these models. Sometimes I have a spesific one I want, and I just ask for that instead. But most of the time I go with the list, because it is fun to be surprised. Also it is not always easy to decide on one!

Cliffside Playtime "Kliffi", was a gift from my mom. This one was chosen by her from a list I made. She is amazing.

Easily Enchanting "Esteri", is a model chosen from a list by my sisters. He is greatly loved here!

Not everyone lives in the United States

Today I want to write about the international side of the model horse hobby. We both live in Finland, and have seen the things I'll talk about today. It sometimes seems like a lot of people living in the US thinks everyone lives there. This can be seen for example in the great model horse groups of Facebook. While Afuze doesn't use this platform, I myself am active there. And I am not going to lie, I envy the collectors living in US.

A group picture of models I took for our Finnish information page about this hobby. Some of the tack made by me, some by Afuze.

Could you, American hobbyist imagine this: no live shows, no Breyerfest, no physical stores selling Breyers. This is the reality for us living in Finland, and I believe to a lot of collectors living around the world. I can only dream of a model horse convention. Also going to a physical store to buy models is one of my big dreams that I don't see becoming true anytime soon.

Today I read a thread on Facebook about Breyerfest special runs. The original poster suggested that Breyer could sell the special runs online for people that don't attend Breyerfest. There was people telling that people who pay for Breyerfest should be the only ones allowed to get Breyerfest special runs directly from Breyers. But this is what I am talking about. To the ones saying this, Breyerfest is only about attending and the willingness to pay for it. They don't realize that some people cannot attend Breyerfest even if they wanted to.

I am one of these people. Getting to Kentucky would be way too expensive for me. Also, I would have to fly. I am terrified of flying, so even if I had the money or any of the other resources getting there would be impossible. And here I am not even discussing the moral side of flying! Flying is one of the biggest polluters on this planet, and that on it's own is a reason not to fly. If I lived in the US or Canada I would run to Breyerfest. But for me that's impossible since I live in Finland.

A Finnhorse custom by me, named Varhaiskaali (primal cabbage). Finnhorse is a Finnish breed so it seemed fitting to have a picture of Kaali here!

Reading about people's attitudes in that thread made me wonder if I am (or we are) considered less important collectors? Are we not good enough to be seen in this hobby? Just because we don't live on the same continent as others. I understand that Breyer (and other brands) are not charity, they're businesses. So it makes sense that they have to charge for shipping here more, or otherwise they can't make anything available anywhere. But I would like other collectors to not have the mentality, that the indicator of a serious collector is being able to attend Breyerfest.

Other things American collectors seem to take for granted are for example physical stores. Well, here we have one shop called Lahjakas, and while you can go to their stock to buy models, it doesn't really count as a physical store. I love this online store though, they ship really fast and have the best customer service I've come across. But children here don't usually have Breyers as toys as they're so hard to get. And this means no models in thrift stores and none in vintage stores etc. Afuze has been able to get a PAM from a thrift store, but that's it. (Afuze comments: I remember how even the experienced Finnish hobbyists were shocked when I told them how I found that model!)

I am really wanting to conga the traditional Peruvian Paso mold, but I most likely can't afford it right now. Even if I could find some of them, the shipping to Finland gets expensive. But I must start the conga when I am rich... which might take long. Some hobbyists I know buy a lot of models secondhand, but from what I know these people are adults with jobs and spare money to spend (I am twenty and a student so that probably tells enough).

One of my rarest models.

Another thing I see is different is being able to sell your work. Here we don't have a big market for model horses, their tack or anything related to them. So if you want to sell your stuff you have to sell abroad. And I don't see that many people excited to buy from Finland, and it seems like making a name takes more since you don't automatically have that many hobby friends with the same native language. I would say that also the lack of physical events like live shows makes this harder.

Speaking of friends. I don't know anyone IRL who collects! Afuze is a dear friend of mine, but we have not yet met in real life. We are definitely planning to, but live hours away from each other and neither of us have cars. This hobby feels lonely here, this is one of the reasons we started this English blog. It seems like no one reads our Finnish blogs.

I have never attended a live show. We don't have them here. So that side of the hobby is really strange and unknown to me. It seems to be a huge part of American model horse people's hobby, but here I am. It doesn't even exist to me! And it's not because I want it to be that way, so it's kind of sad.

Halter and halter rope I made for Afuze, already rehomed to her collection.

I am writing this, because I want us to be heard too. It seems that people are always surprised when I tell about my hobby and the differences between Finland and United States considering model horses. I am actually sad, that we don't have many things other people have and really dream of live shows etc. Both Afuze and I have worked to get this hobby more known here, but it's hard when people don't even have a way to find the first mentions of (about?) the hobby!

Why just that horse?

Emotion is a big factor when choosing a horse to buy. I'm a highly sensitive person (no, I really know I am), and have strong feelings, and that's good - if only visual view could tell me what horse to get, I could be even more in trouble than I already am (good horses are pricey!).

I'm now telling the "why I got this" -stories behind my Breyers. If this article becomes too long, I will happily crack it to two articles... Not every horse has an emotional backstory, for example those I had no time to plan to get.


Wishmeluck
Along with Overkill, Wishmeluck alias Vissy was one of the two first Breyer Traditionals I got new. I'm very picky with what I buy because Breyers are expensive, and I can't buy them like candy (like some Americans seem to be able to do, honestly), so I have strict criteria of what to pay attention for when choosing a model or mold. With this one, it was the anatomy. It's a realistic mold, and I like thoroughbreds and anatomy. Yet the black color helps in seeing the sculpture's details better than a non-solid color. It also wasn't hard to start seeing a personality to this model as soon as it was confirmed that he's going to end up here.

Vissy is definitely one of my favorite models, and no less because he was one who started my Breyer collection. He was choosed before Killi. And maybe he was unboxed before him, too. Vissy also is very photogenic and a good tack tree, though he has some errors, but those don't disturb me enough. 

Overkill
This is one of the most powerfully galloping molds I know from Breyer, and I remember how much I wished to have dynamic horses back in the 2016. Overkill alias Killi definitely helped to fill that hole in my hobby life. Partly that was because he reminded me from some of my sketches that included light gallopers, since I've tried to get the anatomy and dynamics correct with those... So my brain melted when I saw a nicely sculpted horse which was something I've wanted to do myself for some time.

Like Vissy, also Overkill developed his personality very soon after he was home. Though his final personality has been known only recently, as I've been able to build my modelverse more.

Reizvoll
Behind this horse is not only a good sculpt, but also the fact that Valegro model matches a horse I once met in a dream. I was going to ride a warmblood gelding, I don't know why. He was very... well, average, a mid or reddish darkish bay with some socks and face markings and nice personality. He actually was cute. I had to tack him up, but for some reason I lost his bridle somewhere, so his owner got angry. The bridle was a black hackamore with some orange padding. In the end of the dream I rode this gelding, but I don't remember much else anymore...

Still, this was one thing I had to remember. I rarely get to ride a horse, and I've never done that on a warmblood, let alone a dressage horse. So when Breyer published their Valegro, I decided that I had to get one. It was one of the best thinbgs I've bought; I like my dressage pony! And he matches well enough to the dream horse. I even made his bridle soon enough, so now I really do have a bay warmblood gelding with an orange-padded hackamore (with some extras of course, but they are removable).

During 2019 I decided to sculpt a doll to match to his angry owner. 

Dreamy
In the same dream as Reizvoll, was a small spotted horse - or a pony - too. It had quite stock horse type of barrel, and anatomy overall. The spots were chocolate brown, and the animal had a short mane and expressionable eyes. I never got sure was that a mare or a gelding, but it didn't matter at all when I checked that I can buy a matching-enough Breyer horse, Lil' Ricky Rocker, to act as this dream pony. So after all that he is a stallion, though the calmness and cuteness are here very strongly. One reason why I dreamed about a spotted pony was possibly because I've seen some knabstrups at a riding school some very long time ago. The expression and size were quite similar to theirs (while the pony was anatomically closer to an appaloosa).

Windy
I stick my eye at dynamic models, so I had to have this one. It also is a quarter, and QH is one of my favorite breeds despite how cruel their health state is these days. Windy has developed a strong personality since I got her, and she's one of the nicest mares I have. Not all flying or muscular horses are stallions, also mares can be strong and sharp. And Windy definitely is. Her name should represent the personality I originally saw her possessing, despite how it's colors don't match the red chestnut color so well.

Okay
Once when choosing what to order from the webshop, I saw the Slick model and thought "that horse wants to be bought". Then felt a bit stronger and decided that yes, he must be mine. He was in discount (if that's the right term), which meant less loss of money for me. Something in this horse just says that he belongs to me.

Rispetto
I don't even know the exact reason why I got this one... Maybe it was about the fact that I never got Salinero when he was available, so, as I saw a new model coming out from the same mold, I decided that it's this or nothing. You never know if a mold breaks or just goes out of production due to some (really annoying) reasons (like... age). And as I've found out, I love bays of all shades, and I also like Eberl's models, so this one should just explain himself. 

Catita 
Another Eberlian. For long I have been realising that I need two things: greys and iberians. Then I got both in one horse when I got this mare. And damn, isn't she nice! The sculpt is really photogenic and you can take a nice shot from every angle - even from the butt side, which usually isn't so much to see. She's more like an S, while most horses are rather I:s or slight J:s. I'm not into anything blingy or sparkly, or spotted, I like "boring" colors and textures (see how less appaloosas I have?), but this mare's surface material isn't too much for me to tolerate. I actually think it works well for a "ice horse" as she is an Yule model. Yet I have to mention that Eberl's sculpting style works very well for such icy horse. One reason to adore an ice/winter model is because I live in an "arctic" country and am a winter person myself. Snow, ice and freezing temperatures are nice (if we even have those anymore...).

I can't list more than factory models here, since I can't buy my own works (obviously... especially those which yet live in my head only) and buying resins is impossible.

Things I have never

These are things I have never done, been or owned. Does this seem weird for you, American model horse hobbyists?

Passi and Tilda, my two original sculptures.

I have never seen an artist resin in real life. How would I?!

I have never sculpted with epoxy. I don't know where to get it yet, and I don't think I'm worth it anyway, what comes to my sculpting skill level.

I have never seen a Stone in real life. Interesting models are traditionals and too expensive, cheaper ones are too small and uninteresting, and no webstore sells them in my country.

I have never met other model horse people in real life (except my twin). I know some, but only digitally (and by trading...).

Ninksu and Pallero, my stablemate scale pearls who I got from Kave, who also painted them.

I have never painted with oils. I own a set, but I have never been able to actually start and try to paint anything with them. And I recently decided to not to even try them on models, since oils are... well, oils, and maybe not so good with plastic.

I have never seen professionally made tack in real life. By this I mean tack made by masters like Jennifer Buxton and other extremely skilled tackmakers... There are so many of them, and I want to become just as good.

I have never made bridles from leather lace that was bought in the ideal width. I have to make that width by myself.

I have never used pre-made bits, buckles, clasps or anything else which would be bought from hobby stores such as Rio Rondo. I have never even seen those metal pieces in real life. I make all my buckles and other metal parts by myself. 

I have never seen professionally customized horses in real life. CM AR? Drastic Breyers? Seen them only online. I assume the first time I see one would come when I make one of those myself, which is just realistic with the life I have. Long trip coming. Long and slow.

Does this count as drastic?

I have never photographed my horses outdoors. I'm afraid of breaking them and so on, you should know this. Though I now got two pony pouches, so outdooring with my models should be a bit more possible at some point.

I have never seen Breyer traditionals in a physical store. I have only seen stablemates and classics, and also that only once. That was also the only time in my life when I bought Breyers in a physical store.

I have never showed neither live or photo. My country simply doesn't have shows, and while photo shows would be a thing in theory, I simply have never been that interested to even try.

I have never bought a horse, made a piece of tack or assembled a horse & rider setup with showing in mind.

I have never tried to sculpt and paint a horse that would ideally match to a breed standard so that it would do well in shows.

I have never designed tack so that it would look exactly like something which already exists in 1:1 scale. I do my own designs. 

I have never done anything with showing in mind.

I have never done anything with perfection - in the sense of idealism - in mind.

Not perfect, not ideal, but quite realistic in my standards. And that should be enough.

So, I lack a lot of things which are seen as normal in the hobby. Most hobbyists are American, and the model horse stuff there is more like a complete industry rather than just a small hobby where adults collect toy horses. I guess they can often forget that not everyone has the possibilities they do have there. Americans simply have everything they need for the model horse hobby, in their own land. One can have hard time realising or remembering that not all hobbyists live there, or, yet weirder, that not every modeller is interested about showing their models.

I'm one so-called home hobbyist. I hobby at home. I don't go anywhere, I don't see people, I don't collect or make anything with show careers in mind. I do everything for myself and for my very few model horse colleaque friends.

No one knows me.

Rollo the ugly custom being flied at by Windy.

I know not all American hobbyists are or have the things I lack. But those liveshow freaks just are what I read most often about... It would be a common stereotype of an average model horse hobbyist. Ha! (Just in case, reader: have a sense of humor!)

Who is Kave?

Well, well. After a long (embarrassingly so) time of not doing anything about this blog I am here to introduce myself. So today you'll learn who is Kave!

I am the pigment-crazed one in our duo. I am 20 years old, I own five dogs and will study to become a nurse. My english isn't the best yet, but as I'll study in English I believe it'll get better. My life has been a real journey in the last year. I moved away from my parents into a small apartment. Then I moved back here to my parents. Here I have more space for model stuff. I currently have two tables, one for studying etc and the other one for model stuff.

My "artist name" is Kave, and I use the name Silmin Maalatuin models. Silmin maalatuin means with painted eyes, it's a name I gave for my Finnish blog a long time ago. Since then it has become my "studio" name and I go by it. 

Working with pigments

I prefer pigments when painting models, and this has become sort of an speciality of mine. I also customize but am just a beginner in resculpting. Customizing is fun, but it's a lot of learn and error at this stage. Also I am really not a horse-person. Which I find funny, since I collect model horses. Don't get me wrong, I love horses BUT it's not my favourite animal. My favourite is dogs, and bovine! This really doesn't matter that much, but it makes this hobby harder for me. I have studied horse colours, breeds etc all for this hobby. I still get confused with all of these a lot...

My collection is... versatile? I have lots of scales, lots of different brand and animals. I have tigers, horses, dogs, a lot of cattle... Safaris, Collecta, Breyer, Schleich, Papo... I have fantasy animals that I make in my own style etc. Looking at my modelshelves can be a real journey. I believe I am the only one who won't be surprised by what you can find there.

I have been collecting since 2009 or 2010, so for ten years already! It took me long to get into breyers, because getting them in Finland is hard. But for years I dreamt of them, and now I have over 20 (I need to count them again...). My entire collection is something around 300 models.

I am planning on posting about my hobby way more in future. I haven't posted here before, which is embarrassing. But sometimes life just doesn't go according to plans! But I am back at blogging and you can't get me out for good (even if I take some breaks every now and then). This introduction is short, but you'll get to know me better with time!