Small Subjects
Small Subjects is a podcast devoted to discussing big topics in the worlds of scale modeling, diorama-building, and sculpting and painting miniature figures, as well as presenting interviews with some of the top artists in the field, including every era, and ranging from historical to fantasy subjects. Co-hosts Barry Biediger, who is based in Salt Lake City, and Jim DeRogatis, who lives in Chicago, are the editors of the Web site boxdioramas.com. Both have decades of experience as modelers, though they maintain that they are always curious and always learning. They are dedicated members of the Military Miniature Society of Illinois, where they considered the great Sheperd Paine a friend and mentor. Barry is also a member of his local chapter of the Armor Modeling and Preservation Society, while DeRogatis has written, co-written, or edited ten books about popular music and two about miniatures and modeling (Sheperd Paine: The Life and Work of a Master Modeler and Military Historian and Shep Paine’s Armor Modelers Guide). You can contact the hosts at [email protected]. Thanks for listening!
- Update frequency
- every 25 days
- Average duration
- 98 minutes
- Episodes
- 61
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
Episode 21: Taesung Harmms
Taesung Harmms is the driving force, artistic director, and primary sculptor behind Alpine Miniatures, one of the highest-quality producers of resin figures in the hobby’s marketplace today.
You can…
Episode 20: Marion and Alan Ball, plus the MFCA Show 2022
Painter Marion and sculptor Alan, happily married since 2003, are one of the most dynamic duos in the world of military miniatures. This episode features a chat with them, along with our recap of th…
Episode 19: Marijn Van Gils
Marijn Van Gils has been high atop our list of guests who we were most eager to talk to ever since we launched this podcast, some 18 episodes ago now. We’re both big fans of the sculpting, painting,…
Episode 18: Jack Lynch - Also, a discussion about transporting figures to shows
In this episode, as we gear up for the Miniature Figure Collectors of America Show just outside Philadelphia on May 13 and 14, 2022, we chat with one of the event’s organizers and a veteran member of…
Episode 17: Chris Meddings.
Bristol, England-based Chris Meddings is a master modeler whose scratchbuilding skills are especially stunning; the co-host (with Will Pattison and Tracy Hancock) of the Sprue Cutters’ Union podcast…
Episode 16: Talking painting in acrylics and the benefits of modeling clubs with Pat Vess and Joe Berton
Jim and Barry talk to Joe Berton and Pat Vess about the Military Miniature Society of Illinois. They also discuss Pat's recent switch from painting in oils to acrylics. Jim and Barry talk about the …
Episode 15: Dennis Levy and more (Including Barry almost gets tased by a Swiss security guard)
Dennis Levy has been a huge inspiration to the two of us for years, and he was high atop our list for interview subjects from the day we started this podcast. We had a blast talking with Dennis abou…
Episode 14: Bill Horan
Bill Horan needs no introduction, at least in our small world. Barry and Jim talk to the master painter and sculptor, and, as always, discuss some of their favorite pieces from his extensive and impr…
Episode 13: Bill Merklein
In this episode, Barry and Jim talk with veteran East Coast painter, sculptor, educator, and miniatures enthusiast Bill Merklein, a thoughtful artist and great raconteur. A towering figure in the wor…
Episode 12: Game-Changers
On this episode, Barry and Jim discuss some of their personal “Game-Changers,” pieces they saw that blew their minds, inspired them, and got them thinking in different ways about the possibilities fo…
Episode 11: Nick Infield
Nick has earned an international reputation for his boxes—many of which touch on his other passion for film—and his was one of the first artists galleries we added to boxdioramas.com! We also offer…
Episode 10: Michael Kontraros/2021 MMSI Chicago Show
Michael Kontraros is one of the top sculptors in the world in the fantasy realm. For years, he won gold medals and wide renown for his one-off sculpts, which are painted by some of the top artists i…
Episode 9: Joel Glass and a discussion about collectors
We talk to Joel Glass, a collector of miniatures and a supporter of the MFCA show in Philadelphia as well as World Expo. We also share our thoughts about the world of collecting miniatures.
You can f…
Episode 8: Greg DiFranco
This episode features an interview with Greg DiFranco, a master painter renowned for his use of shadows, light, and color, as well as a damn fine sculptor and a champion of flats who has raised that…
Episode 7: Mike Blank
This episode features an interview with Mike Blank as well as a discussion of last Saturdays online MFCA show. We also talk about one of our favorite online shops, Last Cavalry and a few other thing…
Episode 6: Our Favorite Books and Periodicals
In this episode, your hosts Barry Biediger and Jim DeRogatis talk about some of their most beloved, must-own modelling tomes filling their book shelves, as well as magazines present and past.
You can…
Episode 5: Ben Komets
This episode features an interview with Ben Komets, a talented and inspiring fantasy miniature painter.
You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on b…
Episode 4: Penny Meyer
This episode features an interview with our friend, the excellent flats painter Penny Meyer.
Pics of some of the pieces discussed and links to further information can be found at the Small Subjects Bl…
Episode 3: Why are so many modelers reluctant to paint figures?
We discuss some of the reasons plastic modelers might be reluctant to paint figures. Also, why does it seem to be so difficult to explain the process of figure painting? We will attempt to convince…
Episode 2: John Rosengrant
In this episode, we interview John Rosengrant, who is not only an excellent modeler and figure sculptor, he has one of the coolest day jobs as a special effects artist. John has created some of the m…