Euro 2015

[Nicholas Ball]

A very very fine artist indeed Penny, he certainly has inspired me to 'try and up my game'

I think the secret is not to be afraid to try delicate patterns and smaller detail.  As yet, I'm still not quite there, but I will definitely give it a go. After all, paint stripper isn't that expensive!!!

[penmeyer]

Hello, I am happy to hear that Rick received the Mike Taylor award. He and Mike were friends and I am quite sure he was greatly honored by this.
We all traveled together as a group in Girona at the World Expo in 2008. Mike took us to the Dali museum in Figueres, Spain. It was a fabulous day of 3 artists enjoying an art museum together. We sat at the "Dalicatessen" and had beers and Rick and I both asked Michael why he had not designed any Dali flats yet at that time. Well, within a couple of years there were a couple in my mailbox...
Rick Taylor is a genius. His flat manufacturing is so unique and detailed, it should be recognized. His painting is pure genius as well. He has influenced my painting of flats and we have had many discussions on painting, even standing in the Louvre gazing at master's works together.
I have photos of his work scattered about so maybe I can start a gallery of his work when I get caught up on my chores.
I do not know what he brought to show besides the Elizabeth (which I have a great photo of somewhere).
here are a couple from the Chicago Show last year. Cheers, and thank-you for recognizing him. -penny

[Brian]

Was hopping for a little more denial of it being "favouritism" as it could read, but I assure you all was above board and the best figure got the trophy!! I know as I was there keeping an eye on things hahaha   

Just got to get Gerry to make some copies now 

[gerry Larkin]

No hole being dug just being honest

[Brian]

Just to clarify the decision made by me and Trevor Morgan, yes it was a Flat. Maybe not in the traditional
way but a flat engraving never the less, Rick Taylor the Guy that won  the class won  it on both merit
first, for the ingenuity to engrave/design into a resin master!( I know this as I have the master!) and then to paint it to a breath taking standard far far beyond most peoples thinking. He's a very talented painter and a nice guy  as well, also check out his other gold medal winners of traditional  flats in the comp to see his talent! and as Mentioned Mike was an Artist  and would have loved this beautiful
piece of Art,  Mike's son Mark thought so also.     Gerry Larkin.

Now this sounds a little like the Judging was biased!! a friend of the Judge and the master given as a back hander
Dear o dear what has happen to impartial judges hahaha  I'm sure it was not the case but you dug yourself a bit of a hole there Gerry 

   

[frankhenson]

Well Done Gerry ......Seems its not a one off creation after all .....

Frank

[Nicholas Ball]

Gerry is going make 200 copies for us!!! 

don't expect to see a detailed flat! it's very very fine and needs to be held in the light!

[frankhenson]

Hi
Elizabeth the first is a fine piece of work and well deserving of its awards
I spent some time studying it, full of admiration for the time and effort put into it.

Too bad its a one off creation .....Would like to give it a go with the brush

Frank

[gerry Larkin]

Just to clarify the decision made by me and Trevor Morgan, yes it was a Flat. Maybe not in the traditional
way but a flat engraving never the less, Rick Taylor the Guy that won  the class won  it on both merit
first, for the ingenuity to engrave/design into a resin master!( I know this as I have the master!) and then to paint it to a breath taking standard far far beyond most peoples thinking. He's a very talented painter and a nice guy  as well, also check out his other gold medal winners of traditional  flats in the comp to see his talent! and as Mentioned Mike was an Artist  and would have loved this beautiful
piece of Art,  Mike's son Mark thought so also.     Gerry Larkin.

[Nicholas Ball]

 The figure is a bas relief, moulded onto an etched plate in Resin. Whether something is sculpt or cast doesn't make much difference,( in fact because it has a mould, it is probably closer to a Zinnfiguren ) The Manga type girls are only flat plates with engraving on them.

The process was pretty ingenious, once he had the etched plate, he then sanded it down until he could only just see the detail to pour the resin onto. This process alone took him 200 hours!!

The judge's did query it, but as it is a Bas relief, it was allowed to stay.

The continental way, also allows for flat pieces of metal to be painted, and as long as they are classed properly, I cannot see a problem. As I recall at Ransart last year, in the flat class there was a beautifully painted lady on a mobile phone cover by Catherine cisario?  ( sorry if I have spelt the name wrong )

Hope this has clarified matters.

It was however beautifully painted, in fact probably the best figure I have ever seen. A class above, all of its own. The photo does not do it justice!!

[Brian]

What we have to remember is that Mike was an artist first and flat painter second, the trophy was not for just the flats.
Maybe one of the judges on the day can add to this  

[Hannibal]

Just small comment (because I thought this portrait was a flat)
It looks more like a miniature painting, than a flat ..
Is this in the expected categories of the Euromilitaire? (I say this for the poor Masters who worked hard during 2015 with "normal flats" to participate to this exercise and be beaten by a master canevas or hard surface painter as free hand).  Not sure it is really fair enough.
Could we also present a miniature painting on a beer glass next year?  ( I mean three dimensional surface).
 
But may be we are opening a new window in our hobby and welcome many more painters too...
 

[Roger]

Here it is, posted by Kev Peart on Planet Figure.

[Brian]

Miserable bunch!!

I'd get that dodgy eye seen to Brian.  Gottle of geer

Now it looks like I have been on the beer again, let me assure you I had next to nothing to drink, way to busy for that

Thanks to all those who came and said hello it was good to see and talk to you all again, figures sold was not in the number of the last two years but still good

This year we had The Mike Taylor Memorial Trophy, made by Geoff Illsley, figure donated by Jupiter and polished by Gerry Larkin, for the best Flat or Bas-Relief exhibit
 

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The figure that won was not a flat but a beautifully painted plaque, I have no photo but sure someone will post it.
A good weekend again, a little down on numbers and traders but still a good laugh. 

     

[Roger]

Very impressive!