figmensia |fig-men’sha|
1. An irreversible deterioration of one’s intellectual faculties with accompanying mental disturbances resulting from an obsessive compulsive indulgence in the miniatures hobby: that painter has figmensia
2. The state of believing in the corporal and sentient nature of miniature figurines: “Ok little guy, what color do you want your cloak to be?”
Origin Story
How did this start for me? I needed a reason to get out… to interact with other humans. It started with an invitation from my brother to play a game at a game store. I thought “Fun, Monopoly” but had no idea what was in store. The game I wound up playing that night was D&D.
A year later (2008) I was convinced by friends to go to a ‘little’ convention in Indianapolis. Wandering around I saw a sign and nearly punched a friend. PAINTING? MINIATURES? CLASSES?! …and so my obsession began.
Now I am a competition painter, freelance artist, and instructor. My clients include private and industry commissions. I have competition awards from Crystal Brush, Gen Con, and ReaperCon.
Prior to my miniature addiction, I had always been interested in an eclectic variety of creative pursuits, but always with my own quirky twist. I do what I can to carry that into my miniature works.
My Mini History
It Begins!
How did this start for me? I needed a reason to get out… to interact with other humans. It started with an invite to play a game at a game store. I thought “Fun, Monopoly” but had no idea what was in store. The game I wound up playing that night was D&D.
One Year Later
A year later I was convinced by friends to go to a ‘little’ convention in Indianapolis. I was primarily there for the Warlord card tournament and a LARP for L5R.
I was completely overwhelmed at the variety of offerings in the gaming community. Wandering around I saw a sign and nearly punched a friend. PAINTING? MINIATURES? CLASSES?! …and so my obsession began with a class taught by Reaper Miniatures.
My First Competition
I didn’t know a soul. I hadn’t even been on vacation by myself, but I packed up my bag and made the 518 mile trip to ReaperCon. I didn’t have a miniature that placed. I hadn’t seen the competition before. I was SO outclassed, but also SO inspired and welcomed. Since then, ReaperCon has been a yearly event. More of a family reunion than “just a con”.
My First Award
Another year, more practice! It paid off!
A bit of drama on this piece, I went to a class and someone had picked up my entry… then BROKE IT! I spent the entire night repairing and repainting the leaves. Unfortunately it meant rushing and all the leaves being one color. It was so pretty before!
Reaper Con 2009, Bronze award, Open Catagory
It Begins!
How did this start for me? I needed a reason to get out… to interact with other humans. It started with an invite to play a game at a game store. I thought “Fun, Monopoly” but had no idea what was in store. The game I wound up playing that night was D&D.
Awards
- Gen Con 2010 – Third place, diorama category
- Reaper Con – Bronze level, open category
Another Busy Year!
2011 brought my first year teaching at Gen Con. So many classes and so much fun. It was so great to be able to spread the mini love. Unfortunately, I really, really over did it. On my drive home from Gen Con I had to stop half way for a medical emergency. 2011 would be a year of rest and recovery.
Awards
- Gen Con 2011 – Third place, Darksword Miniatures Manufacturer Award
- Reaper Con
- Bronze level, open category
- Silver level, painter’s category
- Silver level, ordinance
A Return to Competition
Though I didn’t compete in 2012, but the time was well spent. I started taking commissions and really focused on my techniques. Again, practice pays off!
Awards
- Reaper Con
- Gold level, Painters Category for Dragyri Dancer
- Gold Level, Ordinance Category for Punisher Mech
- Silver Level, Diorama for Gorignak
- Silver Level, Open for Hook, Gardner
Return to Gen Con
SEVERAL years later I made it back to Gen Con. This time as a volunteer in the Miniature Hobby Events area. This was my first exposure to teaching painting. It was absolutely exhausting, but so fun. It truly sparked my passion for spreading the mini love!
Maldrakar
Sigurd
I know I painted something…
I took Best In Show at Reapercon 2022 with my crazy Godzilla project!
I hope to have better pictures soon, but for now I have the official one!
I took Best In Show at Reapercon 2022 with my crazy Godzilla project!
I hope to have better pictures soon, but for now I have the official one!
- + 2006
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It Begins!
How did this start for me? I needed a reason to get out… to interact with other humans. It started with an invite to play a game at a game store. I thought “Fun, Monopoly” but had no idea what was in store. The game I wound up playing that night was D&D. - + 2007
-
One Year Later
A year later I was convinced by friends to go to a ‘little’ convention in Indianapolis. I was primarily there for the Warlord card tournament and a LARP for L5R.I was completely overwhelmed at the variety of offerings in the gaming community. Wandering around I saw a sign and nearly punched a friend. PAINTING? MINIATURES? CLASSES?! …and so my obsession began with a class taught by Reaper Miniatures. - + 2008
-
My First Competition
I didn’t know a soul. I hadn’t even been on vacation by myself, but I packed up my bag and made the 518 mile trip to ReaperCon. I didn’t have a miniature that placed. I hadn’t seen the competition before. I was SO outclassed, but also SO inspired and welcomed. Since then, ReaperCon has been a yearly event. More of a family reunion than “just a con”.
- + 2009
-
My First Award
Another year, more practice! It paid off!
A bit of drama on this piece, I went to a class and someone had picked up my entry… then BROKE IT! I spent the entire night repairing and repainting the leaves. Unfortunately it meant rushing and all the leaves being one color. It was so pretty before!
Reaper Con 2009, Bronze award, Open Catagory
- + 2010
-
It Begins!
How did this start for me? I needed a reason to get out… to interact with other humans. It started with an invite to play a game at a game store. I thought “Fun, Monopoly” but had no idea what was in store. The game I wound up playing that night was D&D.Awards
- Gen Con 2010 – Third place, diorama category
- Reaper Con – Bronze level, open category
- + 2011
-
Another Busy Year!
2011 brought my first year teaching at Gen Con. So many classes and so much fun. It was so great to be able to spread the mini love. Unfortunately, I really, really over did it. On my drive home from Gen Con I had to stop half way for a medical emergency. 2011 would be a year of rest and recovery.
Awards
- Gen Con 2011 – Third place, Darksword Miniatures Manufacturer Award
- Reaper Con
- Bronze level, open category
- Silver level, painter’s category
- Silver level, ordinance
- + 2013
-
A Return to Competition
Though I didn’t compete in 2012, but the time was well spent. I started taking commissions and really focused on my techniques. Again, practice pays off!
Awards
- Reaper Con
- Gold level, Painters Category for Dragyri Dancer
- Gold Level, Ordinance Category for Punisher Mech
- Silver Level, Diorama for Gorignak
- Silver Level, Open for Hook, Gardner
Return to Gen Con
SEVERAL years later I made it back to Gen Con. This time as a volunteer in the Miniature Hobby Events area. This was my first exposure to teaching painting. It was absolutely exhausting, but so fun. It truly sparked my passion for spreading the mini love!
- Reaper Con
- + 2014
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- + 2015
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- + 2016
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- + 2017
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Maldrakar
- + 2018
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- + 2019
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Sigurd - + 2020
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I know I painted something…
- + 2021
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- + 2022
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I took Best In Show at Reapercon 2022 with my crazy Godzilla project!
I hope to have better pictures soon, but for now I have the official one!
- + 2023
-
I took Best In Show at Reapercon 2022 with my crazy Godzilla project!
I hope to have better pictures soon, but for now I have the official one!