Queen of Credits Miniature Museum

[Queen of Credits]

Hello all !

The museum has been updated for May !

Come visit and see this month\'s miniature-of-the-month: an adorable pirate lass, sculpted and painted by Patrick Keith (\"Patrick\" on CMON), called Meagan the Buccaneer. She is just adorable and I am pleased to add her to my collection ! (BTW, it\'s Patrick\'s studio model -- so he did an especially nice job with his sculpt when painting it ! You can see the mini-of-the-month here:

http://queenofcredits.com/database.htm

If you care, you also see past miniatures-of-the-month that are part of my collection,, such as Eric Johns\' 2006 LA Games Day Gold Demon winning Gollum (Mount Doom) which was April\'s mini of the month and needless to say, I was VERY excited to acquire it !

And there are others, too, by Jen Haley, Irene Turner, Angela Imrie, and Matt Verzani. You can see the index for past minis of the month here:

http://queenofcredits.com/database_index.htm

Sometimes it is something new and exciting, and sometimes just a wonderful older piece I\'ve not gotten around to posting on the site yet, so I put it up as the mini-of-the-month. (I have 40 of Jen\'s pieces, so I think my museum is \"good\" on Haley pieces if I post one per year for the next 40 years !

Sneek in anonymously and take a peek, or join the monthly mailing list to get your ear talked off by me, be quizzed on the mystery mini question of the month, and find out which artists have had their libraries updated on the site or other mini-sillyness I care to share. Whichever !

 

[Sand Rat]

Nice site there QoC

 

[Queen of Credits]

Thank you for the compliment.

After the internet came along, I had by that time already acquired a very large collection of painted miniatures, since I had started painting miniatures myself in the early 1980s (miliitary genre is all I knew about), then discovered fantasy mniatures in 1985 (which turned my hobby towards a wonderful genre direction I had not thought before had even existed), then in the earky 1990s discovered I could actually buy miniatures that had been painted by others (much better than myself) and even greater could commission some to paint a particular sculpt of my choosing for me for hire (again, someone with more talent than myself). When the internet came along, and I then discovered eBay in about 1999, suddenly my hobby and ability to \"collect\" changed dramatically. I was no longer limited to what I could paint, or to the sporadic teenage gamer I might find at the gaming and rpg stores in my home town who could paint better than myself whom I could persuade to paint items for me, .....suddenly I had an entire WORLD of potential painters and sources for painted miniatures !

I did so want to create an online \"virtual museum\" to show people my collection, since the internet was the way to bring the museum to them, ....rather them coming to my country or city to visit the museum as is the normal situation with museum and collections. But there was one problem. .... I did not know how to write htnl code or how to create and post and maintain or ever where to begin to start on setting up a website.

So for a couple years, I nagged my ex-husband (now one of my best friends, and always my computer guru for my home and law practice computer needs) to help me by developing a website \"museum\" for me. I told him I would of course even pay him to develop and create it ! But he did not have time or interest in such foolishness.

Finally, sick of my nagging, he bought a book on html code and programming, downloaded a free verzion from Mozilla of their web page creation software, registered a domain name for me, set aside webspace on his server, and said, \"Here. You have a doctorate degree just like I do. There is nothing in this book or in that intuitive software that you cannot understand and figure out for yourself. If you want to create a virtual \"online museum\", YOU create it. Write the code, make the website pages, figure it out. Start uploading the site in Beta version and I will come along after you and give you constructive criticism, but I\'m not going to \'write it for you.\"

That was actually one of the best things he ever did to me and for me. He forced me to learn html and how to create a website. Needless to say, I learned \"the hardway\" and I had to redo pages many, many times, as I would learn something else I had done wrong and then when looking at the website from another browser or another computer, or after saving 20 pages with a certain piece of code would find it would look AWFUL or terribly mixed up or simply \"not display\" or would take \"forever\" to download even with highspeed, or whatever. ....LOL.

My first version of the website was extremely crude. AND as folks can obviously tell, I am not a professional website developer and there are many things that do not look perfect or display \"strangely\" when viewed on a browser or computer other than those to which I have access.

But in 2004, I finally got my online \"virtual museum\" off the ground and started posting pictures of miniatures in my collection.

I will never be able to post them all. In 2004, I had over 10,000 painted miniatures. Today, I have ove 13,000 painted miniatures. I will always be falling \"behinder and behinder\" as my mother would say. So, I just try to do an update a month, post one special \"miniature of the month\", add an artist library or a photo or two to update existing artist libraries. From time to time, implement some new feature. Fix broken links and improve the site in general.

The site actually sat idle for an entire year while I battled it out with cancer and had time for nothing but surviving the disease, treatment, hospitalizations, surgeries, and trying to keep my day job (law practice) afloat and running with a reduced clientele after I cut back on my practice. Today, I\'m feeling great, so I\'m back at it and trying to do my \"update a month.\"

Thanks again for the compliment. It was a labor of love. Like the miniatures I paint, the site is not a \"golden demon\", but I am nevertheless pleased with the result of my own little effort as humble as it may be.

Please visit the site again soon, and you can always contact me to put you on the monthly mailing list if such a thing interests you.

 

[supervike]

I agree, the site is wonderful!

I\'ve been a \'mailing list member\' for a few months, and it is always fun to see your letters.

I would love to see all your minis in its entirety....Just out of curiosity...where do they all sit? Do you have a whole room devoted to them? (I have a funny image of Golden Demons miniatures poking thier heads out from every cupboard you would open).

I always thought I was passionate about my little hobby, until I heard about you. You have mastered the term \'mini-obsessed\'. LOL

Anyhow, I do encourage everyone to check the site out and and sign up for the monthly newsletter.

 

[Queen of Credits]

where do the \"credits\" live in the Queen of Creidts museum ?

Ha ! Your mental of image of little \"golden demons\" poking their heads out of cupboards is not too far from the truth. I do surround myself with some of the more beautiful pieces here and there. I have a display case in my law office that amuse clients, judges, and other lawyers in general that display perhaps the finest pieces. They shake their heads when they see the detail in such a minute form and appreciate the talent even if they do not understand or follow the art form.

I also have some large glass display cases in my home, not of expensive pieces, just lovely armies I have collected and/or painted over the years. I do not play WH or any of the other games, but I like to see the High Elves, with all their various regiments and colors, and different pieces on display as if getting ready to go into battle against the forces of Chaos or perhaps my Dark Elf army that consumes another full case. But the very special and expensive pieces are in a secure location due to their vaue. I not only have photos in my \"database\" of the miniatures in my collection (which are larger than life and allow one to see the fine details), but additionally I can \"visit\" my REAL museum whenever I want as it not to far away.

I regret is that I am not independantly wealthy. Not so much that I would not have to work for a living, ...because I actually love my job and want to never retire. I would like to work until the day I die, and perhaps they will say, \"Did you hear about that eccentric but very well-known and older attorney, Kathryn Fields? She made her closing argument in a huge case, the Judge ruled in her client\'s favor, and she just died \"with her boots on\" there in Court as the Judge was telling the parties how much money her client would recieve.\" LOL !

My wish to be independantly wealthy, like the fantasies of other folks who are as normal or non-normal as myself, have to do with what I would do if I had \"money to burn.\" I WOULD establish a public museum (not my own little private museum) where folks could actually come and see IN PERSON the thousands of beautiful miniatures I have had the great fortune to collect and the hours of time and talent they represent by artists from the world over. Admission would be free, of course (since in this fantasy I am rich anyway), and so anyone could visit the museum, not only \"online\" but also \"in person.\"

Silliiness, of course. Like everyone else, I must work to pay my operating expenses for my practice and my living expenses for self and family. Thus, my \"museum\" is a virtual one, online, accessible for anyone with internet service no matter where in the world they might live or how humble their resources might otherwise be which would prevent such a pilmagrige to the Queen of Credits museum in another part of the planet.

So, yes, there are hundreds of little friends, golden demons, golden toadstools, chick challenge pieces, visions in color, entries that \"made the final cut\" but did not take the trophy, and of course, my most precious prizes---miniatures given to me as gifts---with which I surround myself. But, the museum itself, is truly at this time an \"online\" museum, as much of the collection is tucked away securely and can visited by me, but there is not room to have that much art all in a single location.

 

[cdukino]

Ah, so that\'s where Eric\'s miniatures went Didn\'t expect so much of them to go to the same place.

Wow I can\'t believe you own so many miniatures and so much brilliant ones at that. I\'m not jelous (well oke, maybe just a bit, wel a lot ). This is sure a museum i would have liked to see in real life too. But for now I fear my own little private museum (only my own work I\'m afraid) will have to do.

Concider your site bookmarked.

 

[Zora]

Yes, well, I might have to disagree with the idea of you not being \"independently wealthy\" part!

As someone who\'s lost a few auctions to you, I feel like I should consider you my unofficial eBay
\"nemesis\". <LOL>

I believe you know a good friend of mine from here that goes by \"Jubilee\"? There\'ve been a few
pieces of hers that as soon as I saw your name on the auction, knew I wasn\'t going to get. 8)

Your site is very nice. It\'s great to see so many well-painted minis in one place.

 

[krom1415]

What a great collection!!!!

I have bookmarked it as well, so I can keep looking, I think this site will take some time to get through.

 

[Queen of Credits]

Queen of Credits - miniature sculpts and painted works

Dear Cindy,

How nice to receive your response. I\'m flattered to hear you have bookmarked my museum as a website of interest.

As you may have noticed, I have listed you as a sculptor whose miniature sculpts I would like to display and feature in the museum. For example, I have a very cute Crunch Waffle release created by you which was painted by artist Noel Meyer.

The sculptor libraries are scheduled to start going up later in 2006, with a very special \"kick off\" debut and surprize coming up this summer. I think folks will find it delightful to see how many different ways a single sculpt can be interpreted by a number of different painting artists, ... all of which are fabulous, fun, beautiful, and unique.

I am in the process of obtaining permission from manufacturers\' to use their intellectual property with permission (i.e. photos from their online catologs of the unpainted miniatures for sale) on my website to show the mini sculpts prior to painting, as well as contacting sculpting artists for perhaps even permission to use photos of their greens. But it is a slow process as their are numerous miniature manufacturers out there and sculptors to contact for bio information, so, as they say, it is a WIP.

My email address available on my website if you would ever like to contact me or to be added to the monthly newsletter, ...if such a thing interests you.

Thanks again for your complimentary reply.

 

[mickc22]

Hi Kathryn
I\'ve had your site in my favourites/bookmarked for quite some time, and I still have gotten half way through it

I think it\'s such a fantasic idea, we\'ll just have to dream about the real life museum for now


Mick

 

[Queen of Credits]

Queen of Credits - the nemisis? Alas !

Dear Zora !

Oh, please, do not consider me your nemisis ! That makes me feel so bad.

I have NUMEROUS competitors on eBay. In fact, while at ReaperCon two weeks ago I threw a little soiree for about 30 friends, mostly painters and sculptors, but also included my two BIGGEST and most pesky competitors, but GREAT friends, from ebay. They are terrible competition for me, but they are among some of my best friends.

Also, while I recently LOST the ebay auction 2 weeks ago for Fredy\'s Tyrion\'s Charge , a 2005 Silver Demon winning piece of his, (I was OUTBID by the east coast competitor who won the auction against me in the final seconds with his bid of $2910 topping my prior top bid in the high $2800s), in the end I made another friend ! Perhaps, that makes me the winner after all, since as passionate as I am about miniature art, I value friendships with fine folks even more.

I do admire Jubilee\'s works, have many of her pieces, but have still to set up her library on my museum. In due time, I will get to that. But I do not bid on all her auctions. I admit I can get a get \"greedy\" when I see a piece I want. Please forgive such selfishness on my part.

Perhaps I did not learn the importance of \"sharing the toys\" well enough when I was a child. Hmmmm.

Please bid against me. I do not bid up to infinity on everything. So it is not impossible to beat my bids. If there is a piece that you simply \"must have\" that I am bidding on, you can always contact me. While I still may tell you that I intend to try and win the auction, I have in the past deferred to other collectors\' wishes who are friends of mine and \"backed off\" upon occassion. It depends on the piece, of course, and I do reserve the right to still attempt to win the auction. But there is no harm in asking. So, do not be shy.

Warmly,
Kathryn

 

[Zora]

Thank you for the understanding, Kathryn.

I don\'t have a big budget for these things, so I\'ll more than likely be outbid on most.

I was teasing Jubilee about not letting me know when she was auctioning things...letting me find out by seeing them on eBay! Of all the nerve!

That\'s the last time I\'m best man at her wedding...lol

She\'s really come into her own with the painting skills, and there\'s something about her style I really like. I\'ve since stopped asking to get things from her, as she\'s making more money by putting them on eBay than she would from me.

CINDY - I\'m sorry I have yet to post the green or painted pic of the sculpt you did for me. I\'ve been a very bad, lazy boy.
Can you forgive me? I will attempt to do so soon. Just need to find a decent setup for taking pics. SOON!

 

[cdukino]

Bad Zora. You were the first ever one to commision a green from me how could you not post it Definatly just kidding ofcourse.

@QoC: I\'ll sign up for the newsletter I\'m glad you like my sculpts. I have a few ones planned for Crunch Waffle yet, some just finished/sold to them, making them by now the company owning the largest number of my sculpts, and growing. Great fun to work for them and the commisions are right up my alley too.

 

[Zora]

Was I really the first commission? Wow, I am TRULY honored.

I\'ll see what I can do to get it posted right away.

As you know, he is for a game. And you should see how protective I get with him when we play...

 

[cdukino]

@ Zora: Yep you truely were. It\'s in fact my 7th (I believe) ever completed sculpt (well 7th and 8th if you count the little squirrel too). Right at the start of it all.
And you still have the honor of having the wierdest commision to date for me in my eyes... and that includes the Waggamaephs lol

 

[Queen of Credits]

After some thought ....

After some thought, not just from the thread on this forum but a couple of other forums and direct inquiries from various people, I\'ve decided to look into the possibility of having a physical museum or venue. My attorney (actually I have one than one, but I mean the one connected with my miniature ventures) and I are in negotiations with a couple of established venues (translation: established museums) where my best pieces would be \"on loan\" in a particular wing or room of the museum. The advantage to the established museum, of course, would be the potential of drawing additional paying patrons to visit them. The advantage to me is that I would not have the overhead or cost of trying to build, operate, or staff a building of my own--which is simply out of the question.

I would prefer to keep the venue in the Seattle, Washington area, as I would like to \"visit my babies\" myself from time to time, but my attorney is encouraging me to consider the other US metropolitan or even European venues. While I would still have pictures of my miniatures (which are actually larger and show more detail than the minis themselves) and still would \"own\" them, a venue of any great distance would mean I would rarely be able to see my toys in person, and certainly when friends visit me in town, I would not be able to simply drive them to the museum to see my collection.

There are 3 suitable venues in the Seattle area we are looking at among other venues, but I am wondering what the groups\' thoughts on this issue, since one of the most frequent questions I get asked by visitors to my website or on forums is WHERE is the physical museum located.

Your input and helpful critiquing is solicitated.

 

[green stuff]

Message original : Queen of Credits
but my attorney is encouraging me to consider the other US metropolitan or even European venues.

If you ever consider a European museum, I would advice you the International Museum of Miniatures in Lyon (second largest city in France) :

http://www.mimlyon.com/

Lyon is Jérémie Bonnamant\'s home town; he\'ll soon be coming back here and Allan too.

It\'s situated in the touristic old town which is classified by UNESCO as international world heritage, is on several levels, has a workshop where they make their miniatures, and they have already hosted special events (the last one was on special effects : Star Wars, Alien, ...).