Studio Sommer

A lot of times I'll be working on projects here in the studio, and I'm unable to share what they are because it's "top secret".  Usually, it's just a realistic paint prototype, (read: yet another brown horse) or the annual "Beautiful Breeds" ornament, or some other little thing.  But, every now and then, I get to try  something totally new! Breyer's Web Special, "Luna".  Photo copyright Breyer. I've had the opportunity to work on two unique projects this year that are outside of my norm.  One is still under wraps, but the other was just revealed today!  This is Breyer's latest Web special.  It features artwork of wolves running on the side, and the coolest part is when you turn the lights off, the wolves glow in the dark. Glowing effect on "Luna".  Photo copyright Breyer. This concept was my creation, and I'm so grateful that Breyer was willing to give it a shot when I proposed the idea to them.  I have ...

For the longest time, I've really been struggling to capture my paint jobs correctly in photos.  I hear the same comments over and over from clients and customers.  "This looks even nicer in person!" On one hand, this is fabulous, because one of the worst things I've heard (behind the scenes, from friends) is when they purchase a model by Artist XYZ and they get the package open, and are sorely disappointed.  "It looked so much better in the photos! Eeeeek.  That's NOT the reaction that I want people to have when they unpack something I've painted.  So having people be pleasantly surprised when they get something from me is good to hear. On the other hand, not capturing my paintwork correctly means I'm basically underselling my work.  Even worse, however, is when I can't get the camera to record the correct shade.  That's much more serious.  Here's a great example.  The horse I want you to look at in these photos is the red chestnut ...

I was over on one of the model horse hobby boards this morning, reading an absolute horror story.  A person on there had shipped a horse resin via UPS.  Someone had clearly opened the box, and unwrapped the horse partially, stuffed it back in the box and hastily taped it back up again.  (Clearly, it was some jerk who saw that the box was insured for $800 and then was let down when it was a model horse, not something easily pawned for crack.)  So when the owner tried to file a claim against this act of vandalism, she was given all kinds of grief, because UPS "does not insure one of a kind items or art." However, let it be said, they are MORE THAN HAPPY to take your money to insure said items!  And they certainly will neglect to tell you this caveat while you're handing over your cash.  It's only after they have given the boxes to a herd of rampaging elephants to play soccer with that they will mention that art or collectibles are not covered. This ph...

I've been back from the frenzied week of  NAN/Breyerfest activities for a few days now, and I'm finally starting to "come down" a little.  Here at home, I'm usually allowed to work at a very leisurely pace, painting a bit, taking frequent breaks.  But all of this changes if I decide to do both NAN and Breyerfest in KY, plus the Artisan's Gallery, which typically runs Thursday night through Saturday night. It's a week of utter chaos, because there is so much to do!  And the prep work for it is also insane.  My entire Nationals show string has to be packed and shipped a couple of weeks ahead of time.  Then, of course, there are sales, so new things must be painted.  It shoots me into an unhealthy manic overdrive, where I hunch over my airbrush for way too many hours and days at a time.  I can paint faster than ever when I switch over to this mindset; but everything else (eating right, visiting friends and family, sleep and general hygiene) go...

Everybody's doing it.  Starting a blog, that is.  And I mean, specifically, a blog about their art. I pondered all the cute and catchy blog names, and in end, I couldn't think of anything beyond the fact it would be a blog talking about what was going on in my studio.  And my name is Sommer.  So "Studio Sommer" it is . . . winning the prize for least creative blog title ever.  Yay. I know why y'all check out these blogs and will try to include the sort of things you'd like to see.  Like how-to articles, updates of stuff in progress (with lots of pictures) and hopefully a giveaway every now and then. But since this bloggity blog will be mostly about what's going on in the studio, as well as (hopefully) hints and tips for model horse hobbyists, let me start by showing you around my current studio.  Previously, I worked in a spare bedroom of the house.  Later a tool shed was "repurposed" into a new studio.  For the most part, my studio is...