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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse GC, I re-read your commentary and I have a comment. I too came to the hobby not so much from the standpoint of fascination with trains (which I have been developing) but from the standpoint as developing a hobby that 1) I can share with my son. 2) Allows creative expression. When we take Model Railroading to an art form, and I'm not saying we shouldn't by the way, a shift occurs. A visual artist paints so that people can see their work. A writer writes for others and an actor performs for others. Rare indeed it the artist that isn't looking for accolades. It is what drives us as artists forward to find new and exciting frontiers in art. So when we create our art in the form of a basement empire we are by default limiting our audience to people we can drag down or viewers of the Photo Funs. With Model Railroading, then we have to grow as artists to create for ourselves. Yes, this is different from the modelers that "only do it for themselves" and do not push for creative excellence. We have to build it, and know that unlike the Cosner movie, no one will come. Unless, of course, you build in a high level of operational ability, and get on a circuit or form you own operational team. This is where John Allen excelled, and where Malcolm Furlow falls short. Obviously, Furlow is the artist (and artist in profession) that has no operational sessions, whereas Allen delighted in sharing his creation with operators and the rest of the world through networking, photos and articles. Furlow then, would have to have evolved to the point of excellence for himself alone to create such a fantastic layout so far removed from civilization. So to go the Allen you need both the artistic skills and patience, and you need the working knowledge of both what a railroad does and a sense of what makes "playing with trains" fun. I get satisfaction from building a building, weathering it and creating a scene, but it does not compare to the fun of having my son run his train to the station, tell his passengers to get off, then drive them to the bridge, stop and tell them to view the sights of Train City. To make everything work, you need to create a mini-universe where every bush, rock building and detail has a purpose. Every figure is a person with a role to play. And every industry is linked to the "universe" and beyond through a commerce system. A large task to accomplish. [/quote] Chip, Well said my friend, some excellant insight and points there yourself. (ah my what a fine mutual admiration society we have going here [;)][(-D]) I see your point on doing it for ourselves and yes where to some extent all artists do have a market/audiance, I think that the most fufilling art, hoby or craft is done for oneself and ones own sense of personal accomplishment and fufillment of ones own personal desire or vision.
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