Memories are partially made of these...

I've been reflecting upon my career the last few days after posting about how I got started as a sculptor. I thought I'd share a few of the significant events and memories of my professional life in the miniatures industry. So, in no particular order or completeness...

Bryan Ansell offering me a sculpting job at Foundry after only a few sculpts - That was pretty monumental. Foundry was a powerhouse at the time and the trainee sculptor position was one of the most sought after jobs in the industry. Think I ruffled a few feathers by 'jumping the queue' at the time. I think Bryan felt that whereas my sculpting ability wasn't there yet, I showed promise (my finish and proportioning were pretty good and I wasn't scale creeping). I think he liked that I hadn't picked up any bad habits yet. He then found out that I'm not the most mouldable of people. But it was a big opportunity and I learned a lot.

That phonecall to GW Fanatic/Specialist Games - After leaving Foundry but before moving back to Cornwall I phoned GW about their freelance opportunities at Fanatic. And no real interest of course. They had to be getting a lot of these calls and I had the impression that the recipient of my call had been dealing with them. He begrudgingly asked if I had any experience and changed tune sharply when I said I'd been at Foundry for seven months. I met with Jervis the next day and was commissioned the entire Warmaster Dark Elf army on the strength of a single 10mm Norseman. We later found that we'd both got a bit over-zealous in a commission that big and it was a tough ride. We got there in the end of course so it worked out well...

'We're sculpting miniatures based on the art of Brom' - Very quick decision made by myself when this was hollered down the phone at me by one of the founders of Dark Age Games. I do like Brom. He's very awesome.

Femme Militant - John Blanche offering me the opportunity to sculpt a miniature for his Femme Militant range, based on his artwork was a true career highlight for me. I was in very exclusive company on that one and am very proud of what we did (bear with book!). Thanks John!

23rd July 2003 - Or at least I think that's the date. My memory is fuzzy but the logic fits... On that day the coolminiornot online store opened. They were selling just two ranges; Werner Klocke's Freebooter Miniatures and a new range, currently exclusive to their store and run by an up and coming sculptor. Yes, Spyglass Miniatures launched that day; my first foray into the world of running my own minis company.

Well, those are just a few moments that spring to mind. It's been nice to open up the filing cabinets of my mind and reminisce... Aaah....