Picture: a modified Bloodthirster of Khorne, part of this Daemons of Chaos army. This one had modifications to the head.

Blue Table Painting has grown beyond what I ever imagined when I first started in my garage. I am grateful for those that have helped the business along. There have been a lot of people: mentors, artists, clients, friends and passers-by. We’re creeping up on five years and things are better than ever.

Originally, I had thought to grow it to humongous proportions; like fifty people. In the last year, I have moved away from that. I have very modest financial goals and I also just want to go about my business in peace. I just want to have a really good studio and have a positive impact in the world.

This has also changed the way I approach the business. For example: I write whatever I want on the blog. I’ve figured out what is important to me. Anything that keeps me up at night needs to be excised. I run it how I want, and if people want to come along for the ride, that’s great. If not, why it’s a great big country out there, and there’s a place for everyone to be happy.

I theorize that it must be like 1-3 million in gross sales of miniatures each month. That means after discounting the various sorts of people that don’t or won’t have their miniatures painted still means a LOT of people who need this service. It’s also a growing industry. By that I mean that people don’t realize they need this yet, and even then don’t really know where to go to reliably have it done.

So, I predict that there will be more companies like mine up and coming. I am very interested in seeing how things shape up. I am a well-wisher. I hope they are successful and get the same satisfaction that I have. It’s a tough road, but very worthwhile.

It’s really nice to just relax and not worry about competition like some old king wringing his hands about newborn heirs. I used to be so worried every time I saw a new studio crop up. Rather, I’m keen on advising and encouraging new entrepreneurs. Ha! Assuming I have any good advice!

The only thing I wring my hands about now is if a customer didn’t like the service.

So, if you are starting your own operation, drop me a line.

In case you haven’t seen it already, here’s the trailer for Dawn of War 2. Pretty sweet.

The warp spiders look so amazingly cool. Too bad they’ve never been that good in the game. It’s rare to see them in a tournament army.

I painted up a few Raeks for D&D. Pics coming.

Last night was the ward pool party at the public water park. It was a balmy summer evening, and as the sun went down the chorus of crickets came up and the pool lights lit up the place with warm green and blue.

The kids swarmed around me, and I gave them “turtle rides” where I swim just under the surface and they ride on my back. I just love my children. They have added another dimension to my life, like having no hearing, and then having it. I didn’t know such a thing existed. When my young son puts his arms around my neck and kisses my cheek and his hair smells like baby shampoo, that’s heaven. And my lovely wife, now ever so rotund. I speak to the baby through her navel.

I have a new favorite band: Venus Hum.

What is life about? To leave the world a better place?