Interview with Rick Lawler
Author: Alberto Villasana Creation date: 18-Nov-2010
Greetings fellow modelers ¡!
This time we bring you an interesting interview with a modeler that besides of building very good and interesting models, is an expert in the application of many techniques of painting and finishing also is one of the main characters managing the distribution area, sales and promotion, among other things of MIG Productions Company in USA, I mean Rick Lawler, his work has appeared on countless websites and several magazines, as well as working for MIG Productions USA is also active in other business related to the model which offers a unique variety of products, Masterpiece Models.
We hope you enjoy this interview as much as we enjoyed to talk to this character.
Interview:
Alberto: Before we start talking about your work in scale models, we would like to know about you. Who is Rick Lawler?
Rick: Let me begin by thanking you for this opportunity to speak with you about myself and our hobby. I am 48 years old, married and have 2 sons. I have degree in business management from Oregon State University and then upon graduating I started a business (retail stores) which I operated for the next 24 years. I enjoy snow skiing, cycling, cooking, hiking, music, and of course building models. I can remember building my first model kit (a racing car) at the age of 5 years and have continued to build models since that time.
Alberto: We have seen your amazing variety of projects, in which you work with different techniques. Tell us about this story, how have you managed to learn your excellent skill? Were you a self taught or did someone teach you?
Rick: This is an interesting question. Initially I would say that I am self taught, lots of hours at the workbench and lots of trial and error. I try to begin with a vision for a project; how will it look when I’m finished. I have a motto for myself that says; "it's only plastic", which I feel gives me the freedom to experiment or take risks when I build. After all what’s the worse thing that can happen if I mess-up? I simply start again. Over time these trials and experiments have become part of my "bag of tricks" the techniques that I have become to rely upon as I move from project to project.
Recently, however, I think that becoming active on the modeling forums has been an important contribution in my continuing development. My involvement began around 2006, first as an observer and then as a participant. Seeing other modelers work is always educational and often inspiring. I am fortunate to have a close circle of modeler friends whom I greatly respect that I can rely upon to give me honest feedback about my own work.
Alberto: Do you have a favorite topic/theme when it comes to making a model?
Rick: In general I am an armor modeler – tanks and trucks. In my early years I built a lot of airplanes, but slowly migrated to armor and dioramas during my teenage years. These days my in subjects tend to be toward the lesser known or popular vehicles; I have yet to build a Panther, Sherman, or Tiger tank! Recently, however, because of my work I have been building a lot of subjects outside of the armor category which I have been enjoying very much, including sci-fi. I also enjoy painting figures though I find them particularly challenging.
Alberto: Almost all modelers are excellent on certain details, and we can witness how’s their style with an specific technique, like their signature trademarks. Like them, do you enjoy working with a certain technique, and why do you often use it?
Rick: : Layers; I believe that layers are my trademark technique.
There are three components that I rely upon for each of my projects: The airbrush, acrylic filters, and artist’s oils. First, I use the airbrush to set the tone of the finish. I look for every opportunity to accentuate details, add highlights and shadows and generally create a visually interesting base upon which to build. Next I use extremely thin washes of acrylic paints to begin the weathering process. Here I am looking to add further visual interest to the finish by achieving subtle color and tonal shifts to the surfaces. Lastly, but perhaps the most important tool to my finishes is the artist's oils. I use the oils to add richness to the finish though a combination of general surface applications, dot fading and pin washes.
Alberto: As we have asked out other modeler guests, what would you say has been your biggest challenge, when it comes to making new projects?
Rick: The biggest challenge is to keep it fresh. By this I mean that I try hard not to fall into the same routine model after model. I do this partially by the subjects that I choose, but more importantly I always look for a different idea or technique to try on each project.
Alberto: Going into another subject (and tell me if I'm wrong), we know that you are the C.E.O. of Mig Productions in United States. Would you tell us about how was this change from working with models to now promote them and sell them?
Rick: : First, let me try to describe my role at MIG Productions. I work with MIG Productions as their person responsible for sales, promotion, and distribution of products in the United States and Canada. As a modeler I was a fan of the products and respected the company. I noticed, however, that the MIG Productions products seemed difficult to find with regularity here in the States. I contacted the company and began conversations with Miguel Jimenez and Adam Wilder regarding these issues, sharing with them some of my thoughts on how I might be able to assist them. After a period of time of many emails and phone conversations they invited me to Spain to visit the company and discuss my ideas further; the result was the creation of MIG USA.
As I mentioned at the beginning of the interview I am a business person so becoming involved with MIG Productions in a business setting was exciting and as equally enjoyable to me as using their products. I am very fortunate to be able to make my hobby into my career.
Alberto: Speaking in general, what are your basic functions inside the company?
Rick: I am responsible for maintaining the product inventory here in the states and keeping the MIG USA website updated. I spend a lot of time talking with customers, both at the retail and wholesale levels and ensure that our orders are filled and shipped to our customers. I also am working with a very talented person who has helped to developed specific MIG USA advertising which will soon begin running some of the modeling magazines, and I occasionally attend modeling shows representing MIG Productions in seminars and as a vendor.
Alberto: Would you describe to us, how’s a day in the life of someone who spends most of his day working for a company who promotes and sells products for the hobby?
Rick: : I actually consider that I have three parts to my "job": MIG Productions, magazines and publications, and Masterpiece Models.
I usually begin my day around 5 am by logging onto the computer and checking to see if there is any MIG business from overnight that may need my attention, if so I will begin working on this immediately. Otherwise, I will spend the next couple of hours at my modeling table working on projects for publication or at the computer editing photos and writing articles. At last count I believe that have been published nearly 30 times in 11 different magazines around the world in 4 different languages. During the day I work at Masterpiece Models where I am in charge of their new kit development/sales and also work in the fabrication department where we construct larger museum type exhibits. I generally spend my evenings working again working on MIG USA issues. It's a full day.
Alberto: In your blog we often see new updates. How you divide your time in Mig's Productions and your hobby?
Rick: My site, Propaganda, is a reflection of my published work and my personal interest. I almost always have a project on the bench destined for publication – usually 2 or 3. Out of respect to the magazines not all of my work gets onto the website right away and I will sometimes wait until the project has appeared in print before posting.
Alberto: We have seen in different websites, accessories and products in which you made the Master for the mold. How did this happen?
Rick: This would be some of the work that I do with Masterpiece Models. In the spring of 2009 the company asked if I would be interested in helping do a couple of pieces for an exhibit that they were working on for the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Virginia. I accepted the project and did the pieces and when I was finished they asked if I would stay on a little longer to help complete the exhibit. I later became a full time employee. Early in 2010 I was asked by Masterpiece Models to take over the development of kits to sell at the retail level. In this position I do some pattern work and also create most of the box art and instructions. I also spend quite a bit of time coordinating with outside modelers from around the world to make patterns for the company.
Alberto: Finally Rick, any advice that you'd like to share with those people are thinking in selling some product of their own?
Rick: I think that you need to be doing something, or creating something that you absolutely believe in. With any endeavor there will be times when nothing seems to be going right for you and only your belief in yourself and your ideas will carry you through those difficult times.
As you can see this modeler passes all day doing things he love's and surrounded by the hobby. We thank him for answer our questions and participation with us . I leave the addresses of web sites in which it participates Rick
Propaganda por Rick Lawler: http://ricklawler.plastic-garden.com/
Mig Productions USA: http://migproductions-usa.com
Masterpiece Models: http://www.masterpiecemodels.com/
Finally as always a sign of the work of Rick, the truth has excellent models.
Greetings again and see you soon.
Alberto
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