Marshland (1 Viewer)

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Hi all...
Well I just finished another diorama that has lingered around the studio for a few months. The funny thing is that the backdrop was finished before the shelf diorama. This one was inspired by my dad's cottage here in Michigan. As a kid many a summer day was spent in the marshland around the chain of lakes looking for frogs and turtles.

I would use a bamboo fishing pole with some unfortunate worm on a hook and try to catch the little fish that hid below the Lilly pads...

The snapping turtles seemed to like to hide under the rotting logs at the edge of the water...

 

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Ok...I want to know who I have to sell my soul to in order to build dioramas like these!! (It's only slightly used.)

-Nicholas

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

I imagine that long before I explored these marshlands around the lake the local natives of times past had hunted and gathered food from this rich area.
In addition to the fish and turtles, the birds and waterfowl were plentiful...

Both small and large game also came to the lakes and marsh... I am sure they were hunted too.

My mom used to take us out to collect wild berries that she would bake into pies or put on our cereal. I am sure that these tasty berries were just as much a treat in earlier times too...

 

[Grognard]

Wow, it's so realistic. Another masterpiece! Ken you are the Michelangelo of the dioramas!

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Thanks for the kind words folks...
While I was taking pictures of this new scenic I set a few different figures on the 'Marshlands' shelf diorama to see what it looked like.
I have posted a couple ACW pictures under 'Stragglers' on the W. Britain section too.
Here are a couple of WWII vignettes... call it 'Somewhere in the Russian Marshes'.
This first one has a Fallschirmjager pausing on his Kettenkrad near the waters edge. This vehicle and figure are from the first years release of W. Britain under 1st Gear.

This second image features a Russian soldier that I sculpted a few years ago that was never produced. I still have the resin paint sample and I thought it looked interesting in this environment.

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

It is late and I leave you with this last image for now. I like the way the figure reflects in the surface of the 'water' in this picture...

 

[mikemiller1955]

Those shots are both beautiful and perfect...I'm so in awe of your work...

the water...is it an unrealdetails product?

 

[marco55]

As usual just superb.
Mark

 

[Lewey Gun Vick]

Excellent as usual Ken! Your dioramas are the best!

Best Regards,
Vick

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I'm blown away by how you did the muddy shoreline.

Terry

 

[mestell]

The photos of your ACW photos of your "Marshland" were equally as fantastic of the photos presented here Ken. I think I need a water feature
Mike

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Mike... We have the technology...

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

For those of you who may have missed these, here are the images posted under W. Britain as Stragglers...

During the late 'War of Northern Aggression' or as I prefer 'The Late Unpleasantness' there were many stragglers from the huge armies of both sides. (Note to UK Reb... the North did win).
What country boy could resist the chance to cool his feet in a pond or lake, or pick some wild berries to eat with his hardtack and bacon. Good mess buddies would make sure your weren't missing too long or picked up by the Provost Marshall and would warn you to rejoin the column...

I never miss a chance to show some of the more unusual ACW figures I have been able to sculpt to 1st Gear/W. Britain, so here are three of them for you. A couple of Butternuts from 'Crossing the Potomac Set #1' and one of the figures from the cheering Rebs set. I believe both of these sets are now on the retired list.

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

I often think about what it might have been like in North America in the Eighteenth century... before the land was cleared and the swamps drained.
I am sure that it was also a very different world to the Europeans that came here from Europe and the UK. From areas that had long been settled, cultivated and cleared of old growth timber... a process that in some cases started with the Romans.
Can you imagine what went through a young soldiers mind as he left the East coast on foot to garrison outposts on the frontier? To feel like you were being swallowed up in an untamed world. The fear of the unknown and the 'red man'.
With that said, I am sure that these redcoats symbolized the power of the Crown to both the settlers and natives as they made their way through the forests and swamps on the crude military roads...

Here an under-strength company makes its way with a young officer and the tap-tap-tap of the drum...

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Hello all!
This 11" deep X 28" Long X 11" High shelf scenic with hand painted backdrop and oak trimmed base is now for sale.
The cost is $375.00 including S&H in the Continental US and is sold direct from H&A. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.

Thanks for your interest and kind comments!
Ken Osen
Hudson & Allen Studio
'Museum Quality Models for the most Discriminating Collectors'

 

[debrito]

Very nice as always. The water effects is made with Resin?

A+

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Hi There!
Yes, the water is resin.
There are several good products available today so you should be able to find something in your area. Be sure to carefully read the manufacturer's instructions to get the best results with whatever product you are using. If you don't you run the chance of ruining the area you are pouring your 'water'.
Hope to see you in Chicago again soon, Good luck!
Ken

 

[debrito]

Hi There!
Yes, the water is resin.
There are several good products available today so you should be able to find something in your area. Be sure to carefully read the manufacturer's instructions to get the best results with whatever product you are using. If you don't you run the chance of ruining the area you are pouring your 'water'.
Hope to see you in Chicago again soon, Good luck!
Ken

Thank you Ken to answer my question. YES for sure I will pay attention while manipulating the resin, special because I will use on Foam.
Thanks again.

Regards to you and Ericka

Rodrigo.

 

[thebritfarmer]

Another outstanding piece of work !!!!!! Thank you for sharing it with us.

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Ericka has packed up 'Marshland' and it is headed to it's new home. Here are a couple of parting images I took before it was boxed.

and a close up of the brush toward the back... notice the moth on the flowering undergrowth.

Looks like I will have to get busy again... I love this stuff.

All the Best!
Ken