Assembling a Space Fleet for Galactic Domination

Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, I was greatly influenced by a relatively new style of science fiction.  Seeing imaginary worlds depicted in movies and shows like Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica, I was instantly drawn to the mechanical and textured look of the vessels. The steel plating and rivets, with excessive hoses and vents that seemed to go on forever. And the weathering, don’t even get me started about the weathering.  Anyway, as I grew a little older and started seeing some behind the scenes material on the special effects wizards building miniatures for film, I was fascinated with the sculptural aspect of their technique, and the borrowing of various things like tank turrets and engine parts. Their shelves were stacked with a myriad of various model kits. I was immediately hooked. From that point on, whenever I saw a particular model or toy that I was not necessarily eager to build or play with, I was determined to add it to my stockpile of potential spaceship components.

Fast forward 10 years to college while taking a sculpture class, I was confronted with a “Found Objects” assignment.  My solution was to dig deep into the toy chest and find a few interesting hull fragments and pieces that would work together in an overall design.  Although it was rather crude, and somewhat easier to pull off than I thought, I brought it to class for the critique anyway, because after all, as I mentioned earlier, it was college and I had stuff to do.  Turned out, my teacher loved it enough to put it in the student show at the end of the semester.  From that point on, I felt it was advantageous to collect various items that possessed attributes conducive to building my galactic empire, in my spare time of course.

Now, as an adult, I often see things lying around the house that are screaming to be reused in such a manner.  Deodorant caps, disposable razors, PVC plumbing fixtures, anything with an interesting shape and preferably made of plastic, as I find it a most forgiving material and quite easy to work with.

Which brings me to the main theme of this blog, “Assembling a Space Fleet for Galactic Domination”.

Step One:  Gathering Resources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step Two:  Assembling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step Three:  Topcoat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step Four:  Weathering.