Origins 2004:
18/6/2004 – 27/6/2004
I never have thought that I would visit Ohio in my live.
Face it, when you live in Europe and you can pick a spot would you go to Cleveland?
I am glad I did and besides that, just realize this is all happened just because of this hobby of mine.
Scott Spieker challenged me to design and make Amon-Sul and while the project got shape we discussed the possibility for me to come over and do some more
hobby stuff. Since one of the major conventions in the US is also held in Ohio State, there was more then enough reason to actually go and visit my fellow
hobby freaks on the other side of the pond.
So after a relaxing journey (going thru major customs check, waiting 2 hours to board, 8 hour flight, second major customs check, waiting 2 hours to board,
1 hour flight, semi major customs check and the in vain waiting for the disappearing suitcase) I arrived at Cleveland airport.
The Spieker family was pleased to see me. Most of all their dog Digit, a huge fighting dog with a fierce reputation of ruthless attacks while leaping over
7 feet thru the air. I guess it was just a friendly gesture when this lovely looking 18 inch high dog try to bite me from the first moment he saw me.
In the end we became real good buddies.
The 9 days in Ohio consisted out of a good mix of hobby and doing some scenic trips.
The first impression is always the most important so try smashing up a garden table that is just stashed with food. Now that helps you making good first
impression. (I blamed the dog)
Nice neighbourhood, nice neighbours. They even let me try the electric motor scooter. Know what?
They go rather fast but I kept on missing the dog (he was a lot faster)
A Sunday afternoon in Cleveland nice and quiet.
Nice downtown area with some interesting art work. Besides that there is a lot to see like the U.S.S COD, the large sky scrapers, the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame and the War Memorial statue.
Between all the outdoor visits on places to see and places to eat we actually finished Amon-Sul for the Origins convention later that week. I also did a
bit of sculpting and casting myself. We managed to play a Mordheim game at John’s. He has got a nice game room in his basement.
Now I tend to get excited when I throw my dice right and I even might raise my hands to thank the almighty. Now that hurts especially when you have a fan
rotating at high velocity speed over your head! This goes somewhat like this….. Yeah (raise hands) tok tok tok tok tok….AUCH!
Anyway I get some severe "Witch Hunter" spanking and never found my war band again during that game.
A very pleasant encounter was the one I had with Little Clayboy (Spencer) He drove from far far away to meet me, smoke a few cigars and took me to dinner.
We had a great time talking about the hobby and loads of other stuff. I enjoyed this brief get together a lot. We talked up to a point where Spencer really
had to go because of his work the next morning. I guess he did not have much sleep that night but I know he came home safely.
The day before the start of the convention Tim Peasley picked us up. His van filled up to the roof with stuff for the convention. He pulled out 2 projects
that he was anxious to show us. His version of Amon-Sul is staggering immense cool. The way he made the ruined tower really deserves him the title “Rubble
Man”. Also his small keep looks awesome.
The first day Origins opens its doors I stay at Todd Goss for the entire day where we did some building, casting and modelling. He also takes me out on a
hike to Old Mans Cave. We also sat on the Porch enjoying the nice weather. In the evening when Tim and Scott got back from Origins they talked about all
there adventures of that day. Here the first steps towards this next concept was born also, the “Movable Dungeon Project”. Amazing what you can do with a
cocktail stick and a piece of cardboard.
Origins itself was huge and absolutely addictive. Our base was in the Game Room there where the people of reaper displayed their upcoming game “War Lord”
Here I could also see Gamers dungeon setup. Impressive I must say with more then 200 pieces. Making up a dungeon of an estimated 4 by 8 foot in size. This
table was constantly crowded.
This playing area was loaded with interesting looking tables where all sorts of table top was going on. Here are some impressions of these tables.
It was great meeting other Hirst Arts fans here as well. Especially Downwood who brought along his Hirst Arts version of Minas Tirith.
Fortunately Scott also finished his Amon Sul version in time for the convention as you can see.
The dealers room turned out to be dangerous territory. Every time I walked into this hall I got out with a bag full of goodies.
Miniatures, books, art work, costumes and loads of games. A gamers heaven.
I tried to scan the premises thoroughly in order not to miss a thing of what happened and was offered there. I met a lot of interesting people there.
The girl that was painting “Wargod of Aegyptus” miniatures. (I tried focussing on the mini by the way) The serene book seller and the little devil
“Dawn" from who I bought a beautiful drawing.
The always severe looking and heavy sweating convention keeper and some Evil Dead character that looked quite normal to me. The lady in blue was dressed
up beautifully as an elf complete with pointy ears and this time the bounty hunter from Star Wars brought his little mercenary along.
The medieval dressed couple where promoting their Camelot Legends game. Had a great time playing it with them so I walked away with a copy of the game.
Last but not last we have the chain mail lady. Now chain mail seems to be quite heavy but she seems to hold out fairly well considering her heavy load.
Oops almost forgot him……. Guess you recognise the fellow.
I enjoyed talking to some miniature sculptors a lot especially Sandra Garity (reaper) who was so kind to explain me about how to make scale skin for
dragons. We hang out a bit those two days we met and swapped our email addresses. We still keep in touch.
Bobby Jackson was sitting beside her and was working hard on a series of fantasy figures. He also was most accessible and helpful concerning sculpting.
Another great name in the miniature industry is Tom Meier. (thunderbolt mountain miniatures) He sculpted a wonderful series of miniatures of the knights of the round
table and a large series of great fantasy displays of which I still have to paint loads but there are some displays already finished and displayed on my site.
The artwork was also well presented on this convention.
Elmore showed his wonderful paintings as did Rowena and Rowena. Both displayed their original artwork in a special area. There where a few painting for
sale with prices thet went up to 65.000 US Dollars. Thought about is, bought a book instead.
I also met Rak who is more a concept artist. He made me some nice drawings working real fast but with a great own style. So in the end I did leave the
convention with some nice artwork of Rak and Dawn.
Despite of all the wonderful things I have seen here, the most appealing to me are still the miniatures. So I do want to share some of the once I have seen on
display here at the Origins convention.
I guess this gives you all a good impression of how I experienced Origins 2004.
However there is still one picture left for me to post and that is the one of us Hirst Arts buddies at the convention.
Thanks a lot Scott, Todd and Tim for putting up with me all these days. Until next meeting.
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