JimDeRo

Hey Folks -- Just a reminder that the 34th annual Chicago Show sponsored by the Military Miniatures Society of Illinois is only three weeks away, Oct. 10-12, and the deadline is SATURDAY to secure the lowest room rate at at the Chicago Marriott Hotel in Schaumburg. (Be sure to mention MMSI when booking, and see www.mmsichicago.com for much more information.) Always one of the premier figure and modeling exhibitions in the world, additional highlights at this year's show include seminars by Matt Springer and Mike Blank and a book signing by Shep Paine of the new tome charting his life and work. Also new at this year's show is the addition of a Fantasy category to supplement the traditional Historical and Ordinance categories, with modelers in any genre able to enter their work for judging in either the Open or Painting subcategories. We hope to see you in Chicago soon!

Hi all -- Though this is my first post to the board, I have been monitoring it for some time; my primary interest is 54mm historical figures, but I also very much admire the fantasy minis and garage kits. Anyway, I am coming out of "lurker" mode because I just wanted to give you all an early head's up that the Military Miniatures Society of Illinois will host its 34th annual Chicago Show, one of the premier figures and modeling exhibitions in the U.S., from Oct. 10-12 at the Chicago Marriott Hotel in Schaumburg. (Much more info at www.mmsichicago.com.) Though the show has a rep as one of the best in the U.S. or worldwide for displaying the work of some of the most renowned military figure modelers, the subjects actually range far and wide, and there has been an increasing amount of fantasy work in recent years, too. Plus, the seminars and the vendor's area are of use to everyone, including gamers. This year's seminars have just been announced. Matt Springer will host the first, a session on "Sculpting Personality Busts," at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, and Mike Blank will talk about the composition of his new Joan of Arc diorama (as seen in progress at the World Expo in Spain; http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/s...highlight=joan) on Sunday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m. (The exhibition area opens for set-up at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, and the awards are presented on Saturday night at 8:30, with the MMSI's renowned hospitality suite going full-swing afterwards and at other times through the course of the weekend.) Finally, the most exciting news for me personally, Sheperd Paine, modeler extraordinaire and veteran MMSI member and judging committee chairman, will be signing copies of the new coffee table book that I've written about his life and work, due to be published by Schiffer Books in late August, and featuring more than 750 incredible photos and the stories behind all of his best-known pieces. More info on that can be found at http://sheperdpaine.com/ and http://jimdero.com/MiniatureOpen.htm. Shep's book signing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday. Room rates at the hotel are a reasonable $90 per night when you mention the MMSI (and please do, since the club affiliation helps keep rates reasonable!). As always, more info can be found at http://www.mmsichicago.com/. Sorry for the promotional blast, but hope to see you all in Chicago this fall, or at the bookstore soon!