My First Art Trade
On a brisk September Saturday, I was being pissy and stewing in the basement of the rental in Vermont—a state I’d only just joined a few months earlier—doom-scrolling the socials when I came across a curious post from my mutual Mel on Bluesky about art trades and “being mortified about not being good enough.” I’ve seen their miniature work and scoffed, ’cause they are actually really good.
I replied “let’s do a mini painting swap. low stakes, fun.” I smiled to myself and kept scrolling, excited about the potential. Day was looking up.
The next day I got a notification and there it was...
a rejection ’cause of shipping costs.
As an aside, both Mel and I thought the other lived overseas. They thought I was in Scotland, I thought they were in England, something we cleared up later, but in the moment we were foreigners to one another, so I replied “I’ll pay shipping!” I wasn’t about to lose this fun experience to money.
A few hours later, another notification...
Acceptance! Yay!
A few DM’s back and forth and the plan was in place. Mel was going to paint me something as a surprise and I would do the same. We planned to start in October, which was perfect timing for me.
I started painting a Clawlord on Gnawbeast on September 30th. I was careful not to share progress photos or videos on Bluesky, but the little rat on a rat was present in the background of most of my wip videos throughout Orktober if you were paying attention.
I worked on the miniature all month a little here, and little there. Giving it time to breathe, to cook. I put more time into this one mini than any other I’ve ever painted. I took final photos on November 6th, the day I “finished” painting. (I was done on the 4th, but I wasn't able to get to the post office so I kept tweaking.)
I sent him along to his new home on the 14th, fingers crossed that Mel would like them, and that they would make it in one piece. — I'm thrilled to report that both wishes came true!!
On November 11th I received my newest miniatures a wonderfully painted Beast Snagga Boy, and an equally gorgeous Blood Angel Intercessor. And that’s not all the box also contained a Space Marine Heroes miniature on sprue and a really lovely card!
I love these miniatures so much, they will have a forever home in my collection and a really super-special place in my heart.
I don’t have adequate words to express how much this trade meant to me. How much this has given me something to look forward to, and a special connection to an acquaintance a thousand miles away.
My art in their hands, and theirs in mine. A literal piece of each of us shared.
Art is human, it’s expression, it’s love manifested into the tangible.
This entire adventure, an experiment in potential is the highlight of my painting journey, so far.
My first art trade, and hopefully not my last.