Life isn't always what we want it to be, that is a fact world wide.
Cultures are often grouped into regional challenges, by outsiders trying to figure out what is going on.
But I would like to point out, that no matter what you have been told, People are not inherently evil. They are not unlike you. Sometimes, they are just like you. Trying to just get by.

In my travels, I find the most interesting tips and techniques I pick up are found in the hobbies that closely resemble our own. Really, even within Model Railroading the range of interests are so wide and varied that it is almost a crime to overlook a similar hobby, just because it lacks a train model.

In today's interview, we travel to Turkey to meet a miniature toolsmith. I introduce to you Ibrahim Kacar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJdt82TlJfM

In today's meet the modeler we interview Joshua Smith. Where we discuss the art, other modelers and a world scene of scale artist who is breaking out in a new mainstream art-form.

It is my honor and pleasure to share the work of Hank Cheng. From Teipei Taiwan, I feel he is a member of an international club of master modelers. One look and you think it is a real model. Then you see it is a model, of a model. Watch as the camera pans farther back opening the edges of miniature worlds.

Plus a few shared techniques.

I know, the title will toss a few over the edge and does break into the realm of click bait. I believe it to be true.

Ok, not everything I do ends up in failure. Sometimes I stick with it till it works. Other times I run away screaming NOOO!!! We also see what happens when you try and lock the ol' lady out of the room.

I was requested by a modeler to share everything I know about signs. After they watched me mask my Son's name on his tablet. He was going on a trip and I wanted to make sure if some kid stole it (he is autistic and is a target), that kid (i hope it would be a kid, really) would have to hide his thieving butt to remove said signage.

No I messed up on a technique I saw somebody "talk about" before. I wanted to make sure I knew how to do it. I failed, it was hilarious. But I also shared a number of valid technique y'all might like. So check them out.

I found a stem armature that looked like a tree. But was a wee bit too big to be anything other than a willow tree.

A week later I am working on the honey do list and find that hot chilly pepper roots look just like branches of a tree.

Some paint, craft glue, and various ground cover junk. And I do mean junk, a tree is born.

Ok so in a recent thread we hear the ongoing lament of the death of the hobby. 

Yet, a look at the table top role playing hobby of D&D or WWII war games and we see a healthy hobby. Lots of stores, with actual activity nights with participants. No PC games, no online nothing, just a real life hobby that is growing. The thing I like about RPG's is the fact it is based on creativity. 

I wonder if operations on MRRs can be seen as similar to role-playing games?

And if that is the case, I see a way to attract the next generation.

It all starts somewhere. And this time it starts with a kit that I am ill prepared to build. I have very little experience with plastic kits and this is not really the kit I should start with. But I will. 

I imagine this kit will take months for me to build. As it stands, it looks like I will have to paint and weather 1200+ parts. That is part of the fun though. Gives me something to do while I put OBD 1 aside for awhile to reset some plans. Two more videos are in cue for OBD 1, I have a problem scheduling videos, Hate to have them private, I'm weird, I know.

You will never know how thankfull I am for the modelers that are in my periphery. I am literally surrounded by amazing artists who are quite satisfied with their art, and less so with fame. To me, it is really humbling to see what the difference is between a wealthy modeler and one that scrapes by with only the tools he needs.

Like a cheapo camera and simple household lamps for "studio lighting"