The Legend of Mikey

 

    Fairly new to model building, I started in 1994 building out-of-the-box shiney models.  This quickly became boring and un-unique (is that a word?).  I joined a local model club, Cincinnati Auto Replicas, and quickly learned that there was more to building models than shiny blobs of plastic on a shelf. 

    I started looking at old cars and trucks as they "really" are; unique, dusty, rusty, weathered, pieces of art.  I started taking pictures of rust buckets in their natural environments and noticed the different textures and colors of rust caused by nature and its' natural surroundings.  This was when I decided that these small pieces of plastic were more than just that, they were small pieces of ART!

    These pieces of art were also more deserving than JUST being displayed on a shelf. They needed THEIR own environment. 

   Having seen numerous dioramas of garage scenes, I decided that building unique scenes in nature and suburbia was what these artwork pieces needed.  I vowed never to do a garage scene as everyone had done it...but no one did it RIGHT! 

   Challenged by a friend, I finally "broke-down" to build what I thought was the way a car garage should be built.  Hence, The "Its' Only A Hobby" Garage which ultimately gave me the nickname "king of clutter".  I like to call it "ATTENTION TO DETAIL!".

   I will still occasionally build a shiny "blob of plastic" when I need a break from the art of weathering and aging a pickup or light commercial truck or an occasional rat rod.   Currently an occasional contributor to Model cars Magazine, I can be found hanging-out back home on the East Coast with the "Philly Boyz" at model car shows.  Just keep an eye out for "The Prison van"! 

  Always remember to "treat each piece as if it were its' own diorama". 

Peace,

    Mike Napoleon 

 

 

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