Episode 41: Bob Sarnowski and the 2023 MMSI Chicago Show

Above: Bob Sarnowski (left) shooting photos at the MMSI 2023 Chicago Show, with frequent Small Subjects phone-in guest and Show Chair Pat Vess. (Photo by Felix Gonzales)

Veteran MMSI member Bob Sarnowski has been on your hosts’ list of folks they’ve wanted to interview for some time. Not only has he been an expert painter whose work has inspired us for years, he has long been the MMSI’s ace show photographer. And even with those accomplishments, he’s constantly expanding his skills—most recently, building ordnance (something he hasn’t done since he was a teen) and learning the new challenge of 3D printing. Plus, Bob is just one of the nicest guys in the hobby, as well one of the most self-effacing and quietest. We considered ourselves lucky to get him to open up and talk about himself!

Below: A sampling of Bob’s work. From the top: 101st Airborne, 54mm; Chinese boxer, 75mm; the confederate bust Bob talked about sculpting (we think it’s a heck of a piece and we’d love to see more Bob originals!); Freebooter; Guards Officer; the Poste-Militaire Samurai in 90mm; Sgt. Patrick Masterson of the 87th Regiment of Foot; a German Albatross; an Israeli Super-Sherman, and a Whippet.

Above: The exhibit space at the MMSI Chicago Show at the height of the action on Saturday (photo by Felix Gonzales). For many more photos by Bob, check out the MMSI Web site and download the special show issue of the club journal The Scabbard.

While chatting about the show, Barry was very kind in not giving his partner much guff about being awarded the Chicago Medal (along with fellow recipient Rusty Nail), especially after all of the jokes Jim has made about Barry’s MFCA Grand Master Wizard Award. Below: Jim accepts the medal from MMSI President Joe Berton and Pat Vess; his latest box diorama “Garbage Day,” which won a gold medal at the show, and Jim and Barry with Joe in front of the display of Shep’s box dioramas.