Adepticon 2013 - Day 1

Well, today I hopped on the plane and had a short 3 hour flight into the Chicago Midway airport. Now, I do have to give kudos to Teras Cassidy from Geek Nation Tours. From the transfers to the tour of the grounds, Teras was a one man show. He walked me to the check-in counter and then gave me a tour while entertaining other tour participants around questions.

The rest of the day I had planned to volunteer to help out the Adepticon staff after I had lunch. So again Teras walked me over to the group and introduced me. The rest of the day was spent sharing stories with everyone else.

The welcome dinner (included in the package) started off a little slow as Teras was again pulled away assisting other participants who arrived late due to flight problems and a storm that rolled in while I was having lunch. While waiting, we all got to know each other. Aussies and Brits all playing Warhammer 40K and Fantasy. It seems that I was the odd man out playing Flames of War, Kings of War and Dark Age.

While we were eating, I got to know some of the volunteer staff and podcasters and then the guest of honor entered - Victoria Lamb! I have to admit I was starstruck being in the presence of the legend herself. Before she gave her speech, we got to meet many podcasters - Screaming Heretic, Overlords, Bad Dice, and OhioHammer. Victoria gave use a history if how she started back in the 80's! When she was going over the number of Golden Demons she has won and some of the reasons she did not win, I just wanted to drool over the figures she brought with her. Which I am happy to present photos of these award winning miniatures.

Dream Pod 9's Aurora Magazine Issue 7.2 and my story

Just follow click the link below and you will find me on page 12!
Aurora Magazine Issue 7.2

In all honesty, all anyone looks for is recognition in the art they work in so allow me this moment on the podium. I have been painting since 2000. I started with re-painting Mage Knight figures or using washes to darken the already painted figures. Once Mage Knight was cancelled by their maker WizKids, I sold all my Mage Knight figures and started a a Menoth Warmachine army by +Privateer Press.


As a hobbyist with a limited budget, I purchased Apple Barrel Craft paints as my medium. Unfortunately, I had to sell this army and put my hobby on hold. Two years later, at the urging on my wife, I one again started to build another army. This time, it was a White Scars Games Workshop army for Warhammer 40,000.

 

This time, I did use Citadel, Vallejo and once again Apple Barrel paints. I had not learned about washes yet but I unknowingly used the same concept by thining down my Apple Barrel Brown and painted the crevices of my models as seen on the Land Raider. My White Scars army was ultimately sold for a Tau Army and a Warriors of Chaos army for Warhammer Fantasy.
 
At this point, I had learned about washes and techniques such as dry brushing. Quickly running out of storage space, I sold my Tau and Warriors of Chaos in exchange for my return to +Privateer Press Warmachine's Khador.


In my search for alternated gaming systems, I found Dark Age Apocalypse which was more known as a skirmish game.

I also found Flames of War by Battlefront Miniatures which due to scale was much faster to paint. (The camoflaged tanks are mine.)

 

This brings me to my latest army in the Heavy Gear Blitz world - Peace River Defense Force.

This may have put a large stumbling block in my Road to Adepticon 2013 but the game system and models are amazing and such a joy to paint. I must admit that I am addicted to painting these models. I have actually painted 5 models within a 24 hour period. I can honestly say I have 2 each of every weapon loadout available for the Warrior gear. Also, you may want to look into the developement of their new video game +Heavy Gear Assault based on the Heavy Gear Blitz world. It's an incredible world.