Episode 43: Jon Harbuck

In this episode, your hosts chat with Alabama-based modeler Jon Harbuck, an attorney, a true Southern gentleman, and a favorite for the powerful storytelling in his work. Jon is an active member of the Atlanta Military Figures Society—which hosts its annual show this year at the Hilton Hotel Atlanta Northeast on February 9 to 11—and the Artists Preservation Group, and he’s a familiar and friendly face at many figures shows as an exhibitor and a judge. Below are some of Jon’s pieces discussed during their talk.

Above: One of Jon’s most celebrated pieces, the soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts Memorial (further immortalized in the film Glory) come to life. Below: Several of Jon’s moving pieces on the tragedy of WWI: “The Dead Stretcher Bearer”; “My Boy Jack”; “The Sons of William”; the flats box “Gassed,” and Jon’s first box diorama, “The Dug-Out.”

While Jon was still on the line, the boys also talked about the piece seen below by modeler Tomas Upskas, which generated some controversy online (and, really, what doesn’t?).

Heading toward wrapping things up, Barry discussed his recent work trip to Las Vegas, which was extended so he and Joan could attend the painting class taught by Matteo Di Diomede at Verko’s Vault, the exciting new miniatures museum that your hosts will be talking about on the pod soon. Below: The crew at the museum’s inaugural class, with many more overseen by previous guest Penny Meyer planned for coming days.

Finally, following up on our chat about miniatures and the movies, the show got a great Telbee message from Raphael Shelton about the actor Peter Cushing’s pursuits in the hobby. (We love to hear from listeners and include their voices in the show, so drop us a line!) Raphael sent us several images, as well as this link to a fun video.