tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14302813848694353832024-02-19T08:01:02.998+01:00THE BATTLE OF WALKERLOOone man pretends to be at warChristopher Walkerloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189803259212809097noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-30603951544547456362019-07-26T19:35:00.000+02:002019-07-27T13:39:17.537+02:00HUSSAR HUSSAR HUSSAR!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
'Napoleons Hussar's 1815' are in position on the <a href="https://www.wargamevault.com/product/283998/Napoleons-Hussars-4th5th6th7th--9th-regiments--pretend-historic-1st--2nd-Google-Hussars--regiments?manufacturers_id=2986" target="_blank">WarGameVault</a> ready for immediate purchase & worldwide digital dispatch!<br />
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The original pencils for this unit go back to February 2016 but it was not until May 2019 that the paintings were begun. For extra power I wanted this unit to be fully 'You-Walkerloo' so each figure is a portrait soldier. My neighbours and their young sons modelled for the dismounted skirmishers and via Facebook I recruited participation of some old good friends for the mounted troopers. But how was I to choose which of Napoleon's Hussar regiments to depict - they all have such fantastic colour combinations!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHj-guTN8SiDIE8b9P8YHGShVWkbGQ8xNQUb_E6NuXjCEHgv9LeZctX6z0M7LoBwdhUSXTVpqgengm3gFYCk3zkw4e02BkCs9u1S_mie16SDMVJPNWH3avYN3351Hn0dhIlEWa31sh1o/s1600/constructing-napoleon%2527s-hussars-2016-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1600" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHj-guTN8SiDIE8b9P8YHGShVWkbGQ8xNQUb_E6NuXjCEHgv9LeZctX6z0M7LoBwdhUSXTVpqgengm3gFYCk3zkw4e02BkCs9u1S_mie16SDMVJPNWH3avYN3351Hn0dhIlEWa31sh1o/s640/constructing-napoleon%2527s-hussars-2016-19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The exclusive decision was averted when I realised the Battle Of Walkerloo needed a new specialist army. Wishing to achieve enhanced internet capability I have begun a fantasy-historical 'Google Army' to be formed in parallel with succeeding units. I don't know how this new model army will lend strategic or tactical advantage but I follow poetic hunches when I feel the need - so is the Battle Of Walkerloo.<br />
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After painstaking digital manipulation of the scanned paintings a 'Provisional Google Hussar' pretend historic unit was hastily composed, printed, cut out and sent in to action. The paper soldiers were mounted and hand made in the St.Aubin-sur-mer art gallery solo-show of longtime <a href="hhttps://www.artsper.com/en/contemporary-artworks/painting/311359/walkerloo" target="_blank">Walkerloo ally Artiste-Ouvrier</a>. This construction was witnessed by the visiting public. The photos below were taken of the top secret objective reconnaissance mission that was executed elsewhere in Normandy later that day. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8Wj_-toofBZPlOy-AsuZgOG5bKVwRZspLtqGClFzUhyphenhyphenICX-EbAT6yiF1tZnymi6eepjK7EB68uibgOe8nctAoewzDXexXIEJg1KmMxHgEKjxDQMg1rblFMYK6Zms2zEkRYTMhtBAjm0/s1600/ISIGNY-JULY2018-recon-labelled-8k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8Wj_-toofBZPlOy-AsuZgOG5bKVwRZspLtqGClFzUhyphenhyphenICX-EbAT6yiF1tZnymi6eepjK7EB68uibgOe8nctAoewzDXexXIEJg1KmMxHgEKjxDQMg1rblFMYK6Zms2zEkRYTMhtBAjm0/s640/ISIGNY-JULY2018-recon-labelled-8k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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They show a Walkerloo veteran French general and British Artillery officer inspecting objectives escorted by the freshly made Provisional You-Walkerloo Google hussars. Do you see what I see?<br />
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Making the Google troops involved time consuming digital subdivision of the scanned paintings. But once the virtual levels are done making further use of the manipulations has gifted this Hussar Print-fantry Unit 5 historic variations to complement the 2 new pretend ones - all are ready for real pretend action!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxQCqNlQAZrQnq6LcnKpSseNFzhciKz03hm7MKYe33NCqPfWgechsODOv-1yn1HIMR3LY3HwvdnoQf8dASv3NOfaZytZPs5KWolICe5ub3bHZpGMxqdS1sfselrrptNTq_b9OEzh_x3w/s1600/walkerloo-NapsHussars-Ready-collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1570" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxQCqNlQAZrQnq6LcnKpSseNFzhciKz03hm7MKYe33NCqPfWgechsODOv-1yn1HIMR3LY3HwvdnoQf8dASv3NOfaZytZPs5KWolICe5ub3bHZpGMxqdS1sfselrrptNTq_b9OEzh_x3w/s640/walkerloo-NapsHussars-Ready-collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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myTHselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133819472663842663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-22788142651956776162019-07-25T14:26:00.001+02:002019-07-25T23:11:39.004+02:00On Maneuvers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEZ5lNBowt8jXq97RbdAnZ7DWpDFnQI-pR1GSuaiZ77VFx97S7XXrZqdKQvUhhQW4wD8ZhchIkIJ3rCgDAhbZATDLcBUiCcou0YmZhbpQdb2oqifI4VrRnQyNtSB6W2-UFvBaOQtBWYI/s1600/elite-troop-exercise-with-black-cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEZ5lNBowt8jXq97RbdAnZ7DWpDFnQI-pR1GSuaiZ77VFx97S7XXrZqdKQvUhhQW4wD8ZhchIkIJ3rCgDAhbZATDLcBUiCcou0YmZhbpQdb2oqifI4VrRnQyNtSB6W2-UFvBaOQtBWYI/s640/elite-troop-exercise-with-black-cat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Elite <a href="https://www.walkerloo.com/?page=commission&fbclid=IwAR0d--3FD_jfuGS2sGUTAlT__xprqOT2_n1lRq0kMxiRIw0PqQo4AGn0Eio" target="_blank">You-Walkerloo portrait soldiers</a> pictured on manoeuvres in the garden in training for a secret mission. This is the first time <a href="https://walkerloo.blogspot.com/2012/01/although-they-are-very-gorgeous-moment.html?fbclid=IwAR3NT4kKHFNDs8sSphJCIwrjWer8p2K0CiPQhNEjI2Ired4e2Z-yyEtWRJM" target="_blank">Google Panto Horse corporate beasts</a> have been seen tamed and ridden. If one is making obscure models of the world in the world for wider effect and your black cat wants in I believe one should prosper by it - all pictures are a kind of magic. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">These paper soldiers are hand made portrait troopers (1:27 lucky number scale). I'm portrayed in the civi-clothed pointer. A paper soldier constructed from a painting made from the photo of me pretending to be a soldier for my real toy soldier army (used as the tone/expression model for the British General in my original [2008] and the subsequent Russian [2012] Waterloo Walkerloo paper soldier productions). Our Davey leads the charge of Napoleon's Polish Guard Lancer troopers which includes a niece, a nephew, a sister-in-law, an auntie and a good friend. For realism some had to be moustached.</span></span></div>
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myTHselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133819472663842663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-75242324318653656782019-07-24T13:14:00.000+02:002019-07-25T23:31:24.294+02:00A FaceBook Toy Story - Walkerloo Retaliatory Strike<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4fqYPoYpZ-oUtaJTH8yhHzojatnnEuxz6sLkoJ2dX2Xi8eWJwfwgTHFP7OjcnG7F2fJU_SOUv4r4JKSffMOUjImyxuOWu2Gp3AuVR1xrU6-lTKGr63Fe1vrKKJ3zdnfU9Rp6iU35Ti8/s1600/Egyptian-Chariot-Walkerloo-FB-Print-Fantry-Special-Forces-Propoganda-Sheet-F-3.2mb-jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1132" height="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4fqYPoYpZ-oUtaJTH8yhHzojatnnEuxz6sLkoJ2dX2Xi8eWJwfwgTHFP7OjcnG7F2fJU_SOUv4r4JKSffMOUjImyxuOWu2Gp3AuVR1xrU6-lTKGr63Fe1vrKKJ3zdnfU9Rp6iU35Ti8/s640/Egyptian-Chariot-Walkerloo-FB-Print-Fantry-Special-Forces-Propoganda-Sheet-F-3.2mb-jpeg.jpg" width="708" /></a></div>
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myTHselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133819472663842663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-3488875688294807582019-07-10T13:35:00.000+02:002019-07-12T03:12:50.506+02:00The Battle of Walkerloo Facebook Encampmant<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In 2011 I began to make paper soldiers that were not wholly related to historic war. These forces were conceived as participants for the contemporary real pretend war that is the Battle of Walkerloo (see <a href="https://walkerloo.blogspot.com/2011/11/miner-diversion.html" target="_blank">Chinese coal miners</a> and <a href="https://walkerloo.blogspot.com/2012/01/although-they-are-very-gorgeous-moment.html" target="_blank">Google Panto horse corporate beasts</a>). I completed yet did not publish a depiction of Facebook with Mark Zuckerberg as Pharaoh Ramses II leading a chariot army at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kadesh" target="_blank">Kadesh/Qadesh</a>. Photos of my prototype model were published on <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/walkerloo/7870140410" target="_blank">Flickr</a> in 2012 and have been seen over a thousand times. Why Zuckerberg as Pharaoh? Even back then he seemed to be garnering godlike personal power over the human story - I had better get him in mine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MDAnhTcJdP4T7ljvUWCgi0mmTj8QOXAyukDg9uSXDatLecxxfZ4jz_5-DPLqf7XTeiI854ijY4VedLMRCJZACyZZwPnwmXABnKcY935abz8wZUZug8dsXqnNaIXo4PLIa7HSel7q28g/s1600/900k-pharaoh-Zuck-Walkerloo-Comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="1600" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MDAnhTcJdP4T7ljvUWCgi0mmTj8QOXAyukDg9uSXDatLecxxfZ4jz_5-DPLqf7XTeiI854ijY4VedLMRCJZACyZZwPnwmXABnKcY935abz8wZUZug8dsXqnNaIXo4PLIa7HSel7q28g/s640/900k-pharaoh-Zuck-Walkerloo-Comp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just before publishing this set a professor of history e-mailed admiration for my work. A specialist of ancient warfare he agreed to cast a critical eye over my next release. The professors one criticism was that the skin tone of my Egyptian warriors was almost certainly too pale for Nile inhabitants of that period. ARGGGGHH - I always try to maintain an historical accuracy but there was no easy remedy to change all the warrior skin tones - especially for the complicated pdf layouts I'd spent days creating. Apart from the Flickr image of my prototype models Pharaoh Zuck and his war chariots were shelved - until now!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwprDN1KJigrtT0p_MwWBmkjBaY7b1mRUaOtEtmtl8hNQ8TZDqelE3y6SNGFfy25WQB7BQ0n13dktRJuhBQgWZrseDsDtv5i6q4mESJ0VgHVrgdq_HDx_MmJgoPcfNRXBQdMUcSpmomg/s1600/FaceBook-walkerloo-nother-version.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="820" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwprDN1KJigrtT0p_MwWBmkjBaY7b1mRUaOtEtmtl8hNQ8TZDqelE3y6SNGFfy25WQB7BQ0n13dktRJuhBQgWZrseDsDtv5i6q4mESJ0VgHVrgdq_HDx_MmJgoPcfNRXBQdMUcSpmomg/s640/FaceBook-walkerloo-nother-version.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In preparation for a bold new offensive in the Battle Of Walkerloo I patrol the social media site for paper soldier intelligence. Facebook mediates a virtual turf for its own ends but the convenience of the platforms monopoly is all seductive. With my updated model as a PDF vanguard I opened the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BattleOfWalkerloo/" target="_blank">Battle Of Walkerloo Fb page</a> and the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2355359658078616/?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank">Battle Of Walkerloo Fb group</a>. Members of this group have access to the Zuckerberg Pharaoh Printafntry model in Facebook corporate colours. Come join 'us' deep inside the belly of the beast... Pharaoh Mark Is our protector.<br />
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myTHselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133819472663842663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-14318400164406189122019-01-28T23:12:00.000+01:002019-03-04T21:44:35.481+01:00CHALLENGING TOYS: Part 1- The Origins Of The Battle Of Walkerloo circa 2009. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My paper soldiers first public deployment was on the battlefield of Waterloo in Belgium,18th June 2008. It was the 193rd anniversary of the battle and we were installed alongside re-enactors in the courtyard of Napoleon's last battlefield HQ. Throughout 2008-10 I presented my toy soldier army at history events, markets and fairs throughout Europe & USA. I boasted my armies original form and notable qualities:</div>
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<li><b>The armies size < 200,000 Soldiers & 6,000 cannon! </b></li>
<li><b>The armies strength < '<i>THICK BABY BOOK STRONG'</i></b><i> </i></li>
<li><b>The armies ethical, considered creation = '</b><i><b>MADE IN ENGLAND & IN FRANCE WITH 80% RECYCLED MATERIAL'</b></i> </li>
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I attended these events as a 'trader'. Successful traders bring to market a set of products which have evolved (traditional goods) or have been selected for sellability through market research. People were surprised to see a new product presented by its creator. Most of the toys our children encounter in shops are remote from the hands of the toy author/maker.<br />
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In 2009 I began to imagine the real pretend war that is 'The Battle Of Walkerloo'. A fantastical romantic vision aimed at picturing and provoking the prevailing boys-action-toy-TV/movie-industrial-complex.<br />
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In autumn 2009 <i>my poor father</i> was approaching the end of his life due to Mesothelioma, an industrial lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure. I moved back home for a month to spend time with him. Organising my trip I discovered an 'Empty Shop' submissions initiative in Newcastle by Newcastle City Council and made draft a proposal. I met with the submissions 'officer' at the council offices but the project was not realised. My father died a few months later and I returned to Normandy.</div>
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High street shops that have formed our town centres have lost ground firstly against peripheral super stores and now against giant virtual retail forums. What can we do to invigorate the public space at the heart of our towns?<br />
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The Battle of Walkerloo empty shop project was formulated to deliver a 'richer than retail' space in the centre of Newcastle, the need for such town centre visions grows.<br />
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These 2 PDF's comprised the synopsis for The Battle Of Walkerloo in Newcastle 2009. They are the first documents to outline the real pretend war I continue to depict.</div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/12JGMO1wpY6inR8Ix7E0JbAoGYyfQTEdp/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">The Battle Of Walkerloo Newcastle HQ 2009 picture sheet.</a><br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HWmHvSDQ1W6E6vDRYHzS-eZVBBxVh2J-/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">The Battle Of Walkerloo Newcsatle HQ 2009 written pitch.</a></div>
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myTHselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133819472663842663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-91095406900051444482018-12-19T18:42:00.000+01:002018-12-19T18:42:30.712+01:00The Battle Of Walkerloo part 2 - "They Started It..."<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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myTHselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133819472663842663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-80838941971120314202017-02-02T21:57:00.001+01:002017-02-02T22:02:13.953+01:00A Global Walkerloo Print-Fantry Presence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Thank you! I'm continually grateful for all the mailed reports on Walkerloo Print-fantry in action. They boost moral and help me understand my wider strategic position on the globe consequently informing Walkerloo's future. Below are digital photos included in a few of those reports. <i>YES!</i> that is a 1:20 scale Brunswick Lieb-Battalion firing line and Belgian Light Dragoons and French Caribiniers (- both types) and look out for 1:32 scale Polish Guard Lancers (the officer is my big brother) about to confront Russian Hussars! <br />
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Peter's Walkerloo Army Of The Rhine, near Frankfurt, Germany</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7Z4-0L43GDTNTKHOB5KeXHVIm4OhGkb4WLzzIbcQH6bh1x7O1hfVVRaAne4bJ1EiczDaweOjPDhmUFgp5N-aejQNZA8lRKq0ja7NCnjPLL_H1t2iOdmhckUEnHS-r10rewJtYa1_aEU/s1600/Peters-army%252C-on-the-Rhine%252C-near-Frankfurt%252C-Germany..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7Z4-0L43GDTNTKHOB5KeXHVIm4OhGkb4WLzzIbcQH6bh1x7O1hfVVRaAne4bJ1EiczDaweOjPDhmUFgp5N-aejQNZA8lRKq0ja7NCnjPLL_H1t2iOdmhckUEnHS-r10rewJtYa1_aEU/s640/Peters-army%252C-on-the-Rhine%252C-near-Frankfurt%252C-Germany..jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Steve's Walkerloo Fusilier Columns in Australia</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxhp1MGFmp6PsTHYN2RJqW_oAZ-9tPcpavLO9awJ_NNxM3UQT_Enm3f7I6QY-naqkZlmy51oxL94gNF7QpWMiJs-3Rs4Uiaxkqbl231bKSjNHTUdTNGqNWHEU4zYf9p190Btfq_03EDE/s1600/Steves-Army%252C-Australia.7k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxhp1MGFmp6PsTHYN2RJqW_oAZ-9tPcpavLO9awJ_NNxM3UQT_Enm3f7I6QY-naqkZlmy51oxL94gNF7QpWMiJs-3Rs4Uiaxkqbl231bKSjNHTUdTNGqNWHEU4zYf9p190Btfq_03EDE/s640/Steves-Army%252C-Australia.7k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Leonid's Coldstreamers and Russian Infantry, St.Petersburg Russia</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5uSrA-5Y9jyw8dssbUcHKRUbnWGzrL9qKT9jXtfY_s8UeL4nf9ukZ-d_3siUa_b9_zNLXVy5HdUL3j0NPN8L97GgChNQZ5RmglgCWfzgNB-3HbsvnfjugUygh4J0fgeNDgcIKXMAiXc/s1600/leonids-walkerloo-men-st.peteresberg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5uSrA-5Y9jyw8dssbUcHKRUbnWGzrL9qKT9jXtfY_s8UeL4nf9ukZ-d_3siUa_b9_zNLXVy5HdUL3j0NPN8L97GgChNQZ5RmglgCWfzgNB-3HbsvnfjugUygh4J0fgeNDgcIKXMAiXc/s640/leonids-walkerloo-men-st.peteresberg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Howard's Walkerloo Borodino forces in the USA</h4>
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myTHselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133819472663842663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-23824116353148247522016-02-11T21:15:00.000+01:002016-02-12T14:22:42.598+01:00New Forces with New Faces<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Early 2016 and two new regiments are added to the Walkerloo base on Wargame Vault. Primed for world wide digital dispatch are Napoleon's Guard Polish Lancers and foot gunners of the British Royal Regiment of Artillery. Each unit's creational motivation was boosted with the inclusion of YouWalkerloo portrait troopers, these paintings, now the property of their patrons.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbjHVcXvFsQdOYhXAQu-V5cXZmYLEbtCLTPxgrMGos_sOXvqbLPtrkV3ubYkXpuNtbfZQUGB5iokPZGxA22dvtHgYIFNtDPaK7n0F0I2wxmk2RitpbsdyE0lDbCer1d7UUlLgo0GgKVA/s1600/combo-pic-smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbjHVcXvFsQdOYhXAQu-V5cXZmYLEbtCLTPxgrMGos_sOXvqbLPtrkV3ubYkXpuNtbfZQUGB5iokPZGxA22dvtHgYIFNtDPaK7n0F0I2wxmk2RitpbsdyE0lDbCer1d7UUlLgo0GgKVA/s1600/combo-pic-smaller.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>You too can fight at the Battle of Walkerloo - new regiments are always recruiting. Details on my <a href="http://www.walkerloo.com/?page=commission" target="_blank"><i>website</i></a>.</b></div>
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2015 was the bicentennial year for the Battle of Waterloo. Note no 'Battle of Walkerloo' blog posts were recorded that year and only one Napoleonic flavoured regiment, the<b><a href="http://www.wargamevault.com/product/142758/Belgian-5th-Light-Dragoons" target="_blank"> 5th Belgian Light Dragoons</a></b> were deployed. However 2015 also marked the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt. A unit of <b><a href="http://www.wargamevault.com/product/162564/English-Archers-1415ish-Agincourt-100yrs-War-etc?src=hottest_filtered" target="_blank">English Archers</a></b> inspired by that battle were posted on the wargame vault.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mFM10po24g-QSxaVEdVBqjDuTsdiA1Q4z6O4fNgCaXSj4KW3HZI882BJQfTEz3Q4ujDPJAMrsfOik03ENQq4ul2lyBtMKq2X2Eq5f5NdEdCxoHvThbpJhe3gIpDWwBXTdGBrCMWdhCg/s1600/walkerloo-paper-soldiers-combo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mFM10po24g-QSxaVEdVBqjDuTsdiA1Q4z6O4fNgCaXSj4KW3HZI882BJQfTEz3Q4ujDPJAMrsfOik03ENQq4ul2lyBtMKq2X2Eq5f5NdEdCxoHvThbpJhe3gIpDWwBXTdGBrCMWdhCg/s1600/walkerloo-paper-soldiers-combo2.jpg" /></a></div>
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2015 also saw the release of a new StarWars movie 'The Force Awakens'. According to Wikipedia 250 Million dollars were spent promoting the film but it's supposed cultural significance made news media giddy. It was widly reported throughout the worlds independent press. Star Wars toys advance. I have my work cut out,,, cutting out soldiers... have you?<br />
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<b><i><a href="http://www.wargamevault.com/browse/pub/2986/Walkerloo-Toy-Soldiers" target="_blank">Walkerloo Print-fantry at Wargame Vault.</a></i></b></div>
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Christopher Walkerloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189803259212809097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-76021623640770227792014-12-12T19:28:00.001+01:002014-12-18T18:45:06.306+01:00A Commission In The Battle Of Walkerloo : Become An Immortal Print-fantry Paper Soldier!Two new Brunswick Print-fantry units are the first of a new type of paper soldier. The result of a collaboration between battle re-enactors and myTHself.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRVwSl0CIGG1GI2InciKLdiHn2lzhgd5n1jBTEjV7Gv-Or5hYKzJFpNXUl9lhd2kTf6gsbZZZ3kFiirZVMNhKfj69AySkbuMA2NgafwJ4xZrS2iKRE2He5xxrxAN3ABXz6jM6gGSzouM/s1600/5-frmade-portraits-4000w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRVwSl0CIGG1GI2InciKLdiHn2lzhgd5n1jBTEjV7Gv-Or5hYKzJFpNXUl9lhd2kTf6gsbZZZ3kFiirZVMNhKfj69AySkbuMA2NgafwJ4xZrS2iKRE2He5xxrxAN3ABXz6jM6gGSzouM/s1600/5-frmade-portraits-4000w.jpg" width="1200" /></a></div><br />
These units include four portraits of re-enactors who became patrons via a commission in their purchase and ownership of my paintings. They are now immortalised as Walkerloo print-fantry paper soldiers on Wargames Vault, available for immediate worldwide download and bladed extraction for real pretend play war.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/15376392124" title="Brunswick Printfantry Collage by myTHself, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7523/15376392124_6ccacf47bf_b.jpg" width="1024" height="704" alt="Brunswick Printfantry Collage"></a></div><br />
I always want to make more units of paper soldiers to help prosecute my real pretend war and I’m often e-mailed with unit requests. But time and resources are limited. You-walkerloo commissions are a way for me to dedicate more time to the creation of new paper soldiers. The commissioning patron receives the original gouache portrait and is depicted as a paper soldier guaranteed a fighting part ever after in the Battle Of Walkerloo.<br />
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Anyone interested in a Walkerloo Commission can find details about the process on my website <a href="http://www.walkerloo.com/?page=commission">www.walkerloo.com</a>. You needn’t be a re-enactor to join up, all I need is some photos of you in an appropriate pretend battle action and some cash. Men, women and children - all are accepted and just like stories from history of boys and women hiding their true identity to join the army in the Battle of Walkerloo you may appear younger, older, bigger or slimmer to suit your particular Print-fantry unit.<br />
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</span></b></i> <i><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Battle of Walkerloo needs you - together we can pretend to fight to set imagination free!!</span></b></i></div><br />
To see which units are recruiting visit the<a href="http://signupschedule.com/walkerloo" target="_blank"><b><i> RECRUITMENT PAGE</i></b></a> where you can sign up for a portrait commission and parallel life as a print-fantry soldier on floors around the world. If you want to suggest your own choice of unit drop me an e-mail (at walkerloo.com) - If you can recruit your own comrades I can get painting right away and together we'll fill the world with new regiments of paper soldiers...<br />
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And consider, original paintings can sometimes even appreciate* in value... Oh the future!<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(*depending on the originality, noteriety and market orientation of the painter**</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> [**social conectivity, interest utility, arrogance, self inflationancy, cultural poignancy, genius etc etc etc</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">).</span><br />
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<i>Between 1683 and 1871 commissions to most officer ranks in the British army had to be bought (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purchase_of_commissions_in_the_British_army" target="_blank">Wikipedia article</a>). Commissions in the Battle of Walkerloo are also purchased although for very different reasons</i><br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://signupschedule.com/walkerloo" target="_blank">SIGN UP NOW!</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieKYYhcSmb6OCuxbdoKdjZZ1ITz526w9UCAMI3E7Yycr1yrEkImZhfCgMBQCHQauQniUF4KWdoknMPBkiP2niTr4VFNLwysSyQlLP5pAZ-5qplKx3gjPKS4CyumySDjjhAH95hRySbho/s1600/framed_walkerloo_portrait2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieKYYhcSmb6OCuxbdoKdjZZ1ITz526w9UCAMI3E7Yycr1yrEkImZhfCgMBQCHQauQniUF4KWdoknMPBkiP2niTr4VFNLwysSyQlLP5pAZ-5qplKx3gjPKS4CyumySDjjhAH95hRySbho/s1600/framed_walkerloo_portrait2.jpg" /></a></div><div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">You can get them here... <a href="http://www.wargamevault.com/product/141738/Brunswickers-1815-part-1?manufacturers_id=2986" target="_blank">TheWarGamesVault....</a></div></div>Christopher Walkerloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189803259212809097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-69470311962114222922014-02-03T12:08:00.001+01:002014-02-03T12:08:13.641+01:00A TowerThere was a 'modelism' convention in Cherbourg. I hired space and built a scaffold tower to house a games table and covered the space in The Battle of Walkerloo.<br />
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Christopher Walkerloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189803259212809097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-46471962634474209202013-10-22T11:04:00.000+02:002013-10-22T11:09:53.742+02:00An Ad. Years ago I wrestled with making a living in advertising. Whilst in the full nelson of a bout I had a vision which showed another way... I'd rather sell myTHself... hmmm. But here and now in this month as WiP officer I have bought space in 'Toy Soldier & Model Figure' magazine and this is the ad that will run in it. GO BOY GO!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/10418509985/" title="Walkerloo QP AD nov2013 FINAL by myTHself, on Flickr"><img alt="Walkerloo QP AD nov2013 FINAL" height="1024" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3717/10418509985_5581db8d3e_b.jpg" width="757" /></a>Christopher Walkerloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189803259212809097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-67981506247308324012013-08-02T16:19:00.002+02:002013-08-02T18:39:10.981+02:00Walkerloo at The National Army Museum, London, July 2013. I was invited to show The Battle Of Walkerloo at the National Army Museum Toy Soldier Weekend in July 2013. A few weeks before the event I was allocated a large empty room to inhabit. I considered the operation and presented a quick sketch proposal to the museum which they liked.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/9419925933/" title="sketch1-perspective-WALKERLOO-toysoldiersNAM2013 by myTHself, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3752/9419925933_81f4b2a4bb_b.jpg" width="1024" height="727" alt="sketch1-perspective-WALKERLOO-toysoldiersNAM2013"></a><br />
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I decided to paint a picture for one of the long walls to establish my occupation. I'd only a two week window in which to produce the mural and so I had to work fast and in quick drying stable arcylics. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/9419969279/" title="panam-sketch1 by myTHself, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3776/9419969279_950ac4060d_b.jpg" width="1024" height="213" alt="panam-sketch1"></a><br />
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I assembled an 'action' using my troops of all periods and scales against a bunch of unwanted mega corp plastic toys I bought from a second hand store. I took photos of this scene and used it to whip out with paint a large scene on 14 (Honda Jazz transportable) panels. I titled the picture 'The Last Stand Of The Battle Of Walkerloo Unfinished'. At the centre of the painting in the museum space I stood a YouWalkerloo PhotoBooth painting.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/9420386327/" title="the-last-stand-of-the-battle-of-walkerloo-unfinshed by myTHself, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/9420386327_293f295dc4_b.jpg" width="1024" height="342" alt="the-last-stand-of-the-battle-of-walkerloo-unfinshed"></a><br />
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On the other long wall I suspended 10 picture frames containing some of the gouache paintings I made in the production of my toy soldier army. At the back of the room I made plinths to display the Waterloo and Borodino sets entire and we made a toy soldier sales table by the exit.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/9413172493/" title="walkerloo action on the floor at NAM 3 by myTHself, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2863/9413172493_f79b5d5c06_b.jpg" width="1024" height="173" alt="walkerloo action on the floor at NAM 3"></a><br />
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However it was on the floor in the centre of the room that the real play action took place. My armies are at war with the plastic mega corp toys and when they play battle with each other they are conducting the real pretend war and furthering the campaign against the endless movie spume. Victory can only come through play and wider distribution! <br />
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I play tested rules at a wargaming event in Lille and have finally evolved a set of rules that can be explained in about a minute and played out in about 40 minutes with much elastic band shooting action.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/9415918430/" title="walkerloo action on the floor at NAM closer1 by myTHself, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2848/9415918430_d79053198a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="501" alt="walkerloo action on the floor at NAM closer1"></a><br />
getting girls on board is surley the biggest medicine for any toy soldier maker!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/9413151089/" title="walkerloo action on the floor at NAM closer2 by myTHself, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2877/9413151089_295b954857_b.jpg" width="1024" height="996" alt="walkerloo action on the floor at NAM closer2"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/9415907236/" title="walkerloo action on the floor at NAM r2 by myTHself, on Flickr"><img alt="walkerloo action on the floor at NAM r2" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3772/9415907236_8c5a2630a9_b.jpg" height="768" width="1024" /></a><br />
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For the two days of the show the two central battlefields saw constant action engaging and amusing much junior and senior General Public. The museum were very impressed by our performance. At the end of the weekend my toy soldiers re-established them selves in the National Army Museum shop where a substantial garrison is now displayed and more are boxed ready for immediate dispersal.<br />
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WE SHALL RETURN!Christopher Walkerloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189803259212809097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-71405282371760044032013-05-09T18:59:00.002+02:002013-05-09T19:56:29.642+02:00Goodies & Baddies (Part 1)<div style="text-align: right;">
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A few years ago my soldiers and I engaged General Public in Greenwich Market. Whilst studying my stall's table top battle, a young boy asked me 'which side are the goodies?'<br />
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As a boy I remember asking my dad why the Germans wanted to be the baddies and why they didn't want to be on the goodies side just like me, my friends, all the Americans and the British (US WWII films were my cultural staple). I think he answered 'I don't know' or 'because' - he was a good dad but not very philosophical.<br />
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I asked the boy in Greenwich 'which country do you come from?' 'England' he said, and so I pointed out the British Army and said he would probably decide that they were the goodies. Then I told him I lived in France and I thought the French side were the goodies - I was being a provocateur my nationalist inclinations are unthinkingly British. We discussed our relative goody/baddy positions until finally his mother announced that the French were the baddies and the British were the goodies and they had to move on.<br />
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My enemies, the Mega Corp Toys from movies and TV have their wars between good and evil, dark and light, Jedi vs Darkside, Transformer vs Deceptacon - heros are corruptible and can turn to the dark side but the two sides remain clearly opposed, good vs bad.<br />
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History also gives us goodies and baddies but who the goodies and baddies are depends on which side we're allied to or where we live. <br />
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My dad could have answered my question saying it's a bit like football ... some people support Sunderland others support Newcastle each thinking their chosen team are the goodies. You're either 'red n white' or 'black n white' in North East England unless you were bored by football and when forced to decide chose Arsenal because it had a cannon on the badge.<br />
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Goodies and Baddies - to be continued!<br />
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In the meantime checkout the French Light Infantry Circa 1812 part of my Borodino series... Goodies? Baddies? Available as Walkerloo PDF Print-Fantry on <a href="http://www.wargamevault.com/product/113428/French-Light-Infantry%2C-Pre-Bardin-%26-Borodino-style.?term=french+light+in" target="_blank">WargameVault</a>.<br />
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<br />Christopher Walkerloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189803259212809097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-81228142933793918042013-03-20T11:47:00.001+01:002018-11-07T11:45:14.495+01:00"INDEPENDENT* NEWS FROM THE FRONT"<br />
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*Upon request from the independent production company I supplied soldier pictures and a statement for the making of this report. I also shared schools with the reporter/presenter for two years in the 1980's.Christopher Walkerloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189803259212809097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-18728339319797053182012-11-23T12:06:00.002+01:002013-03-20T11:39:04.565+01:00WAR&PEACE, christopher.In February 2012 I was approached by the editor of a children's book publisher from Moscow. Following negotiation by April I was very excited and ready to sign* a treaty for the production of a new toy soldier army with the publisher.<br />
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</span> <span style="text-align: center;">The treaty gave the publisher the exclusive rights to produce and sell toy soldiers made from my Waterloo inspired pictures throughout Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan. It also contained a commissioning agreement for me to make a new series of pictures based on the 'Great Patriotic War of 1812' sic. which they envisaged would also soon become a brand new toy soldier army on sale in Russia.</span><br />
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In the agreement I surrendered the local strategic control of this new eastern toy soldier force but I was to be acknowledged as its creator and maintain control of my picture making process i.e. decide the poses and choose the historic units for the paintings that would become the new army. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/8202158559/" title="me-n-russians-adavnce-w800 by myTHself, on Flickr"><img alt="me-n-russians-adavnce-w800" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8481/8202158559_bca6cdb18c_z.jpg" width="608" /></a><br />
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The initial plan was to have the army made in Latvia and the first part of it, a second edition of my Waterloo inspired pictures, ready to advance East by June 2012, exactly 200 years after Napoleon moved east on his Russian campaign of 1812. Although unconfirmed this initial force was to be about 600,000 toy soldiers strong, which is on a par with the 'numbers' of Napoleons 1812 invasion force. Circumstantial resonance sustains and enthuses my picture making. A cool promotional video was released by the Russian publishers in May showing my original toy soldiers in pretend play action. Although no reference is made to my real enemy it does show my toy soldiers in action.<br />
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The new Borodino inspired pictures were to be ready in time for the Bicentennial commemoration of the battle, which was the terrible climax of Napoleons campaign. The schedule was tight but my commitment to the production of the new paintings was total. Working all the hours I could the new pictures approached readiness by the end of July 2012. Alas military campaigns in Russia are notoriously difficult. The first toy soldier army was produced according to plan but there are 'issues' that have postponed the production of the new army, although the new paintings are ready :<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/8193390776/" title="all-the-pics-smaller-(10%) by myTHself, on Flickr"><img alt="all-the-pics-smaller-(10%)" height="396" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8060/8193390776_a609a62208_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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As well as their own <a href="http://boomsoldier.ru/" target="_blank">website</a>, this 2nd edition of the Waterloo inspired toy soldiers are right now fighting it out with the Mega Corp toys on the high-streets of Russia. However to date it is proving difficult to re-enforce their position with the new Borodino inspired toy soldiers.<br />
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But there is hope for re-enforcement! The first Borodino Walkerloo Print-fantry units are now available to buy, download and DIY make up; at <a href="http://www.wargamevault.com/product/108321/Walkerloo-Russians-Borodino-1812-%5BBUNDLE%5D" target="_blank">WargameVault</a> ; and soon-ish I hope on www.Walkerloo.com.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/8210030787/" title="walkerloo-printfantry-russain-army-cover-images2570x820 by myTHself, on Flickr"><img alt="walkerloo-printfantry-russain-army-cover-images2570x820" height="255" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8208/8210030787_9566baf882_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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I urge you to support my campaign and purchase the pictures for yourself. Make them up into beautiful massed armies of paper soldiers and take the fight to the floors!<br />
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<span courier="courier" font-family:="font-family:" font-size:="font-size:" monospace="monospace" new="new" style="background-color: #ea9999; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;" x-="x-" x-small="x-small"><span style="background-color: white;">*</span></span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(The signing was captured on digital video for posteriority. Happenstance had 2 Swiss couch surfing journalist students staying with us that weekend - I invited them to make an impromptu press conference after I signed the agreement - they were a little bewildered but decided on a few questions, a link to the film will be up next week, don't get excited, it is what it is... a video document of a document signing...)</span></i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #ea9999; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">***SPECIAL INTELLIGENCE NOTICE***. </span></div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The Plastic Mega Corp Toys that are the sworn enemy have once again consolidated their command. In Nov 2012 Disney aquired the rights to the StarWars cultural commodity and in doing so extended it's influence over global mythology deepening it's controlling reach into the world’s popular escapist imagination and the toys that embody it. But my secret intelligence has revealed a 'Point Faible'. In the tongue of the enemy 'An analysis of the plans provided by Princess Leia has demonstrated a weakness in the battle station.' I am now developing a strategy that will endeavour to exploit this weakness. </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">For further info on the enemies consolidation:</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-11-08/star-wars-disneys-latest-empire" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Bloomberg</a>;<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-11-08/star-wars-disneys-latest-empire" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Yahoo</a>;<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> and </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YyqlTi7lkhY#!" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Mr.Lucas interview</a><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">.</span></span><br />
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</span></i>Christopher Walkerloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189803259212809097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-9709659626918976432012-02-24T17:07:00.000+01:002012-02-24T19:52:37.694+01:00The Duel i<br />
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I've been sick. When I'm sick I'm only good for lying down and watching films. To feel useful in my convalescence (it was only three days) I watched movies I could consider 'intel.' for Battle of Walkerloo. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/6925950469/" title="another composition of me-pretending.. and google panto horses by myTHself, on Flickr"><img alt="another composition of me-pretending.. and google panto horses" height="424" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6925950469_906ab7a8ee_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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I watched <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075968/" target="_blank">'The Duelists'</a>. It's the second time I've seen this film. I love it. It looks great, the story is tight and the themes nebulous (I define this word to mean like a nebula, big!). Every shot seems to count. It's insightful to see convincing characters in life/death situations wearing Napoleonic costume. </div>
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I watched '<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063794/" target="_blank">War and Peace</a>', the seven hour, Sergei Bondarchuk version. There is a spectacular ballroom scene of the heroine's first dance... and then there are the battles. In the '90s I listened to the BBC radio version whilst painting houses for my disco money. I remember painting an endless stair banister with stinky, sticky white gloss on a winter afternoon in Fulham whilst listening to the BBC's Pavlograd Hussars charge at Schongrabern. When I painted the soldiers for Walkerloo I listened to the play again. I've just got hold of the full audio-book version of Tolstoy's story read by Alexander Scourby. I plan to listen to it whilst painting some new soldiers for a new front in the Battle of Walkerloo....<br />
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I watched <a href="http://www.starwars.com/" target="_blank">StarWars I,II,III and IV</a>. In 1977 I saw Star Wars (IV) at the cinema, I was 5. I remember being cold waiting in the queue - you always queued for ages, in the cold, for the cinema in '70s Sunderland. <br />
I remember drawing a picture afterward of a corridor battle just like the first scene in the film. I thought guns that shot visible laser streaks were great for pictures... although they seemed less effective to fight with than machine guns.<br />
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As a child, my battle pictures - the only pictures I drew - were 'action' pictures. The composition came to life in the deployment of the elements. They were an unfolding narrative, that could flip on a heroic act or cataclysmic incident. Explosions and gun smoke brought the elements to life and death. If I looked at them again it was to re-envisage the action and recount the incidents with my friends. At some point, before the scribble Armageddon that always completed a picture, I began to freeze the 'state' of a picture at a point of high drama to share the excitement with friends. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/6779976368/" title="always-war-in-walker.-age-10ish by myTHself, on Flickr"><img alt="always-war-in-walker.-age-10ish" height="386" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7209/6779976368_83ed59b0f0_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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At comprehensive school toys, the other things I used to create fantasy narratives, were made pariah but pictures could still offer a safe place to play out a fantasy action. I think these pictures come from me age 11 right at 'the end of toys'.<br />
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Watching the Star Wars movies in sequence I noticed the evolution of controlling power in George Lucas' narrative. From self disciplined peace keeping knights, to the industrial robots of commerce, to the cloned armies of the empire led by desirous persuasion finally defeated by revolutionary freedom fighters and the re-institution of chivalry? The first time I saw a StarWars figure was on a sunday morning after church. I had new neighbours, they had lots of new toys and a 'play room'. <br />
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Starwars didn't edge out my war toys but it was a powerful new narrative element combining cool armoured costumes, aerial battles and sword fighting. Star Wars has chicken, beef and pork with chewing gum, ice cream, crisps, chocolate and pop corn - that's why it tastes so good. In the revistionist West, post Vietnam America I can see the attractive vision of a war toy clean of historical reference. A toy that is above historical stains and the insinuation of nationalist propaganda and with that neutrality the potential for an international best seller!<br />
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There was a recent StarWars battle fought off the big screen. 'LucasFilm' challenged <a href="http://www.sdsprops.com/introduction.html" target="_blank">Andrew Ainsworth</a> over the rights to make and sell the StormTrooper costumes the designer had originally made as props for the movie. This off screen battle highlights the nature of a film like Star Wars. It has become a global multidimensional cultural object, a movie-toy-videogame-sodapop-schoolyard-in-your-head-in-my-head-in-our-dreams kind of thing. As well as a creative studio, Star Wars, like Disney, has an imperial bureaucracy enforcing it's position in reality. The vast armies of cloned plastic toys that spew forth are in reality foot soldiers of these Imperial bureaucracies and the natural enemy of my romantic historical ethical toy soldiers and that's why my soldiers fight to set imagination free!<br />
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... ...But what if I was approached by a publisher, a profitable business, an independent bureaucracy, who announced they could make hundreds of thousands of my toy soldiers and best yet deploy them for action in floor filling displays in toy shops... and even pay me some money to make more original paintings... would that be beastly of me?<br />
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<br /></div>Christopher Walkerloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189803259212809097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-48647292507787325812012-01-19T16:58:00.000+01:002018-10-29T14:12:53.342+01:00Corporate Beasts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Although they are very gorgeous, at the moment, I don't sell all that many toy soldiers. Walkerloo has never made a profit. I beg, borrow and manual labour for money to pay the monthly re-payments for the loan I took out to construct my toy soldier army. This makes Walkerloo a bad business and/or me a bad businessman.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/6721963865/" title="mythself-c.walkerloo composite by myTHself, on Flickr"><img alt="mythself-c.walkerloo composite" height="324" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6721963865_6405783e9a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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But Walkerloo isn't really a business*, I declared it a real pretend war, that's the kind of war toy soldiers are best suited to fight and thats the kind of thing that makes sense to me. The Battle of Walkerloo feeds my existential hunger. As far as I know my enemy is still unaware of this real pretend war. I could conclude from this that my efforts are ineffectual. But I take heart from the fact that after more than two years of intermittent pretend aggressive action against the infinite beast that is my enemy, that is all the TV and Movie related mega corp toys, I am still able to stage operations and even develop new forces in the Good Fight!<br />
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'Military Regiments', 'Trade Unions' or 'Business Corporations' are compound things - I imagine them as beasts with motivations, appetites and abilities. I imagine myTHself a beast doing battle with beasts.<br />
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<b>'Google-Panto-Horses - Mythic Corporate Beasts no001'</b> and <b>'Christopher-Walker-alias-myTHself-Christopher-Walkerloo-Pretending-To-Be-A-Soldier-In-The-Production-Of-His-Real-Toy-Soldier-Army no001'</b> are part of the Walkerloo<i> new wave </i>introduced with the Chinese Miners last month<i>.</i> They join the ranks of the Walkerloo MiY Print-fantry available for pdf download at Wargames Vault. Get them now, make them up and join the war! <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/6721963381/" title="google-panto-horses-pdfs-landscape by myTHself, on Flickr"><img alt="google-panto-horses-pdfs-landscape" height="234" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7014/6721963381_8c73ae0e16_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.wargamevault.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=2986&products_id=98656" target="_blank"><b>Mythic Corporate Beasts 001 '</b><b>GOOGLE-PANTO-HORSES'</b></a> (link to buy pdf)<br />
I've painted 4 different versions of the Google-Panto-Horse mythic corporate beast. But I imagine there are googols of them grazing 'freely' on internet content. A real panto horse usually has two people inside the costume - Sergey Brin & Larry Page, the Google founders, could be inside a Google-Panto-Horse. I think Larry Page would be at the front - a google-panto-horse would then be a 'portrait' of the two google founders. Under harness googols of Google-Panto-Horses would deliver googols of Google-Panto-HorsePower, but this horse power would be dependent on their ability to graze on vast quantities of 'freely' accessible internet content. I recently came across this short film on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7yfV6RzE30" target="_blank">Youtube</a> about Google... since Blogger was bought up by google I am of course writing from with in right now...<br />
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<b>Mythic man-beast myTHself 001. </b><b>CHRISTOPHER-WALKER-alias-MYthSELF-CHRISTOPHER-WALKERLOO-PRETENDING-TO-BE-A-SOLDIER-IN-THE-PRODUCTION-OF-HIS-REAL-TOY-SOLDIER-ARMY. (available as .pdf next week)</b><br />
In the creation of my real toy soldier army I pretended to be a soldier commanding, advancing, charging shooting and being shot. As a boy I would spend hours doing this both with friends or alone in my back garden. In making my toy soldier army I asked Laura Camera Wife to photograph me pretending to be a soldier and each Walkerloo toy soldier comes from one of these photos. I returned to these photos to make these MiY printfantry sheets. I am a realist romantic and in the good fight that is the Battle of Walkerloo I must deploy ridiculous tactics because a frontal assault would be suicidal.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/6384971529/" title="Battling-the-beast-just-like-George. by myTHself, on Flickr"><img alt="Battling-the-beast-just-like-George." height="496" src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6215/6384971529_a1c2855c03_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Christopher Walkerloos do battle with Google-Panto-Horses over my keyboard in a grotto. '... England and St.George, a bin for a horse!!' </i></span><br />
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I had thought there was a quote about being aware not to become a beast when fighting a beast, or that to fight a beast you have to become a beast. That's probably from a movie, but after searching on line I did find 'He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster...' which is translated from Friedrich Nietzsche's 'Beyond Good and Evil'... but I prefer 'beast' to 'monster'.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*due to the nature of the loan covenant and the leverage afforded to Walkerloo as a business the Walkerloo business must be maintained until the loan is repaid. Do not allow this identity to restrict your interpretation of the Battle of Walkerloo. I never have, in fact the moment I signed the forms for the loan and the bank manager handed me the first cheque I told him how when I was a boy as soon as I saved sufficient funds I would go out and spend it on toy soldiers and that that was exactly what I was going to do with the money he had just made available to me, he said nervously 'mais ce n'est pas le meme chois!'... but it was just the same.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>WALKERLOO MOVIE UPDATE. Various Walkerloo film projects have entered a suspension this kind of cultural object is particularly prone too. They are stuck in a thick editorial and production mud just behind the front lines but it is hoped that they shall one day soon be made to come to bear!</b></span><br />
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Christopher Walkerloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189803259212809097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-71386537335123962742011-11-21T16:45:00.004+01:002012-02-24T19:15:54.980+01:00Miner Diversion! Chinese Miners Marching My dad's Old Pit Banner<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rUWDR3fC4l4" width="560"></iframe>
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100 years ago there were more than 200,000 coal miners working in North East England. On the 24th of November 1910 a miner aged 14 was killed in Usworth Colliery. His name was John Walker, he was my grandfathers brother, my great uncle John.<br />
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All the TV and Movie action toys are made in <st1:country-region><st1:place>China</st1:place></st1:country-region>. The toy factories are powered by electricity made from burning coal. The coal is dug by coal miners who have no trade unions. Many of my family were coal miners in North East England. My dad was a coal miner at Usworth colliery from 1955-1970 (aged 15 to 29). The miners of each pit organised into unions to win better conditions in their hazardous work. Each union had a 'pit banner'. <i>'From the middle of the nineteenth century the banners were used to unify and rally the communities in the coalfield... Banners are the miners' battle standards, proclaiming graphic messages of hope and calls for social justice which record more vividly than any other art form the history of the struggle for working-class rights.' </i>Quotes taken from the foreword and cover note of the book<i> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_168127965">'<b>Banners of the Durham Coalfield</b>'</a> </i>by <b>Norman Emery</b>, 1998.<br />
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All of the coal mines in North East England are now closed. The banners are kept in museums and social clubs associated with the pit communities.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/6266303950/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="photo-comp-chinese-miner-model by myTHself, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-comp-chinese-miner-model" height="456" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6221/6266303950_03c9433db3_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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In a TV news report on a mining disaster in <st1:country-region><st1:place>China </st1:place></st1:country-region>I saw a miners wife demand improved working conditions for her husband and his comrades. I thought about her plight and the plight of my ancestors. I had just lost my father from an industrial cancer resulting from asbestos exposure in a tyre factory, the job he'd done since leaving the pit. He had two years of retirement before the cancer began to kill him. Some of the money which enabled me to construct my toy soldier army came from him. As it carries my name, 'The Battle Of Walkerloo' also carries his name, and that of my great uncle John. </div>
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I've decided 'MiY (Make it Yourself) Walkerloo Chinese Miners Marching With Usworth Colliery Banner' model is an essential new part of the 'The Battle of Walkerloo'. It marks the opening of a new and surprise front in my real pretend war. The model is available as a PDF document for money<a href="http://www.wargamevault.com/product_info.php?products_id=96950" target="_blank"> here</a> (so I can live) and for free <a href="http://www.walkerloo.com/?page=secret_troops" target="_blank">here</a> (because it's better than nothing). Download it! Make it up! March it up and down!</div>
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Pretend all miners have trade unions. Pretend all toy factory workers have trade unions. Pretend the toys you buy for christmas are made by these pretend workers. Paper soldiers.... engines for social change or silly toys playing a real pretend war. Romantic, Ethical, Escapist toy soldiers at war with the mega corp toys The Battle of Walkerloo. This is a message from WIP. Walkerloo Information and Propaganda. Tally-Ho!</div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">note</i>. In the model the Chinese miners wear work cloths but at events, miners would not normally march with the banners in their work cloths. The front of the Usworth Colliery banner depicts Kier Hardy a key character in <st1:country-region><st1:place>UK </st1:place></st1:country-region>socialism. The models I've made up show the back of the banner facing forward, it proclaims 'Workers of the world unite you have nothing to loose but your chains, you have a world to win'.</div>
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I made Gouache paintings of Usworth Pit banner from images found on the <a href="http://www.washingtonbannergroups.co.uk/" target="_blank">'Washington Banner Groups' web site</a> and photo's Laura Camera Wife took of me in the back garden.<br />
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Historic facts about mining came from the awesome <a href="http://www.dmm.org.uk/mindex.htm" target="_blank">Durham Mining Museum</a> archive/website. Thanks.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/6384970925/" title="miners-photo-and-painting-combo3 by myTHself, on Flickr"><img alt="miners-photo-and-painting-combo3" height="641" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6224/6384970925_7afe48935b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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<br />Christopher Walkerloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189803259212809097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-70130075976145001352011-06-28T15:48:00.012+02:002011-06-28T17:38:31.165+02:00Coming Soon: Walkerloo Toy Soldiers Story<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/5880715431/" title="WiP:-WalkerlooToyStory2011. by myTHself, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5880715431_d050219a78_z.jpg" width="600" height="384" alt="WiP:-WalkerlooToyStory2011."></a><br /><br />Last summer's blockbuster movie was Toy Story 3. The result was a toy invasion the like of which has never been seen before. According to <a href="http://panjiva.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Handicapping-Holiday-Hits-The-Veterans.jpg">Panjiva</a> shipments of Toy Story 'stuff' to the US were 4 times greater than their nearest rival. The 'toy story' was similar all over Europe...<br /><br />This summer WiP (Walkerloo information & Propaganda) present a film by myTHself and Laura Camera Wife telling just a small piece of that toy story... .. Walkerloo Toy Soldier Story. Coming soon.Christopher Walkerloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189803259212809097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-35003949320503017242011-05-09T18:28:00.003+02:002011-05-11T11:23:20.429+02:00The Prussians Are Here!<a href="http://i54.tinypic.com/fmna5e.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 204px;" src="http://i54.tinypic.com/fmna5e.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />As of May, a new 1:35 Walkerloo Print-fantry regiment is ready for download and DIY manufacture at <a href="http://www.wargamevault.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=2986&products_id=90977" target="_blank">WargameVault</a>. Painted after the 1st Silesian Landwehr who were in action against Napoleons Guard Infantry at Plancenoit at Waterloo. Although I'm not yet selling 1:20 scale Prussians I may send out A4 pdf's for DIY construction to personal e-mail requests so you can add them to your battles.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/5703844404/" title="silesian-landwehr-1815-print-fantry by myTHself, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5301/5703844404_f1cbd4e2b8_b.jpg" img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;="615" height="196" alt="silesian-landwehr-1815-print-fantry"></a>Christopher Walkerloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189803259212809097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-36766185635945848902011-05-09T11:09:00.057+02:002011-05-10T08:20:23.781+02:00Campaign 2011. Real-Pretend-War & Pretend-Real-War.<div><a href="http://i53.tinypic.com/358nzpz.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 600px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 105px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i53.tinypic.com/358nzpz.jpg" /></a><br />Last weekend Walkerloo went on campaign. We tore through France and across the Alps into Italy to array our forces before the public in a hill town called Cherasco. In 1796 commanding his first army Napoleon fought a series of battles forcing the signing of an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montenotte_Campaign" target="_blank">armistice</a> on the Sardinian/Piedmontese Army in Cherasco whilst pushing the Austrian army further east.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://i53.tinypic.com/15qr9k2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 90px;" src="http://i54.tinypic.com/2uhal1e.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div>As well as Walkerloo the town invited over 500 historic reenactors who bivouacked about the town and waged a spectacular pretend battle through the streets for several hours - the last time I came so close to horseman charging across pavements was outside 10 Downing Street on the <a href="http://www.urban75.org/photos/protest/cjb.html" target="_blank">Criminal Justice Bill march of 1994</a>!<br /><br />My real pretend war is different from the reenactors pretend real war but we do share an intention of promoting history though the creation of an entertaining spectacle and I think we all hope to achieve some meaning by the spectacles creation.<br /><br /><a href="http://i55.tinypic.com/1zciydz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 105px;" src="http://i52.tinypic.com/4v5u1h.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I deployed several hundred toys soldiers in the Piedmont region and estimate to have enabled a further 50 'you-walkerloo' photo conscripts in photo albums etc.<br /><br /><em>Campaign Tactics</em>. For over a year we have been hosting <a href="http://www.couchsurfing.org/" target="_blank">'couch surfers'</a> at our home base in Normandy. Our Italian Campaign was the first time we became 'hosted' couch-surfers the experience was fascinating, warm and rewarding. In each of our host's homes I left behind a small garrison of toy soldiers. I also know there are already several 'Full Walkerloo's' with collectors in Italy - Grazie per tutto - the real pretend war begins in Italy!<br /><br /></div>Christopher Walkerloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189803259212809097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-38872821284505006692011-04-08T18:19:00.015+02:002011-04-14T10:39:12.192+02:00Artiste-Ouvrier, 'Nostalgie Du Futur' Book.<a href="http://i52.tinypic.com/2hzlvgx.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 800px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i52.tinypic.com/2hzlvgx.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Walkerloo friend and ally Artiste-Ouvrier has recently had a book published on his paintings. For the past two years he has taken the battle of Walkerloo to the streets, to the art galleries and now les libraries du France, Amazon and the world! You can buy the book here, on <a href="http://www.amazon.fr/Artiste-ouvrier-nostalgie-du-futur-Collectif/dp/2917829427">amazon.fr</a>, it's a little gem. Since my declaration of war we have been working ever closer in the fight with the mega corp toys.Christopher Walkerloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189803259212809097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-45445194268768404112011-04-07T15:35:00.008+02:002011-04-08T19:09:11.684+02:00Warden Of The North<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/5600837908/" title="Halifax Citadel by myTHself, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5025/5600837908_9c8f61eaaf_z.jpg" width="640" height="161" alt="Halifax Citadel"></a><br /><br />A large toy soldier force is newly deployed in the Halifax Citadel. It gives Walkerloo a vital strong point on the North Eastern Coast of the Americas. The Fort over looks and protects the port town and is known as the 'Warden Of the North'. With Black Watch Infantry, French 5th Lancers and RHA 9lbers it has aggressive capability. Although perspective can distort the scale of things over long distances this picture has some accuracy. <br /><br />Walkerloo deployment to TreeFrog Treasures in Minnesota is on hold although a forum presence is being quietly maintained, I think of it as a Midwest consulate.<br /><br />A small Walkerloo force has also been sent to the Musée Militiare du Périgord in the Dordogne. <br /><br />The war against the Mega Corp toys continues. Intelligence photos below show a battle which was fought between Walkerloo Toy Soldiers and StarWars Lego around a little boys bedroom in the North of England. No further information is so far available.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/5600220063/" title="starWalkerloo 800 by myTHself, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5307/5600220063_13dced155c_z.jpg" width="640" height="430" alt="starWalkerloo 800"></a><br /> <br />An historic battle was fought this weekend in Caen, Normandy. A great strategic victory for Walkerloo Toy Soldiers was the result. A total of 10 cornflakes boxes were captured, but not regular cornflakes boxes, they were 'carrefour' cornflake boxes. 'Carrefour' meaning 'crossroads' in French gives the victory even greater strategic importance. The epic event was captured on film, details will follow.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/5600803260/" title="ToTheVictorBelongTheSpoils...OccupiedPackaging. by myTHself, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5102/5600803260_e5a050f585_z.jpg" width="640" height="476" alt="ToTheVictorBelongTheSpoils...OccupiedPackaging."></a>Christopher Walkerloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189803259212809097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-44627146851835315362010-11-24T12:17:00.016+01:002011-06-27T15:53:38.943+02:00On The Normandy BeachesThe <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoney_War" target="_blank">phoney</a> pretend war is well under way, the real pretend action is not far behind. I present this short film by myTHself: Christopher Director, Christopher Editor, Christopher Actor etc. for WIP (Walkerloo Information and Propaganda). Witness how much action and fun my armies can inspire even in training - and thanks to my wife for putting up with my front of camera direction.<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RIIsLIE4Rc0?fs=1&hl=en_GB&rel=0&hd=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RIIsLIE4Rc0?fs=1&hl=en_GB&rel=0&hd=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />I liked the toy story movies - right through to number three... But a good movie is no excuse for the continents of plastic pap the films characters were attached to - they are licensed to overkill. Ever since StarWars the bond between movies and the manufacture of 'toy' merchandise has been thickening, now it is one leviathanic beast writhing and gorging through popular culture. It has vanished the manufacture of it's suffocating spume to far off slave factories, we <em>profit</em> from it's mass retail and consume it like a poor religion.<br /><br />My army of ethically constructed paper soldiers are a spear head that I thrust deep into the belly of this beast. History is the copyright-free romantic narrative, and through its exploration and interpretation we gain self knowledge!<br /><br />I understand with the spread of industry there comes the promise of the spread of wealth. And we must be maintained. My Walkerloo die cut card army is not yet independent. Napoleon showed the best way to maintain a massive army is in the field - but mostly in the fields of your allies and enemies. My army would also benefit from wider deployment in the fields of allies and enemies. Become my ally! or even become my enemy... buy my toy soldiers or make them up your self for free but play battle with them!!<br /><br /><a title="rebel-under-construction by myTHself, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/5204021513/"><img alt="rebel-under-construction" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5204021513_bd9b5ebe55_z.jpg" width="640" height="392" /></a><br /><br />I have begun painting re-enforcements. The battle of Walkerloo is spreading to new genres. Painting takes time, in buying my army you help doubly in the cause - I am freed from painting houses to make more pictures and the army is deployed to new theatres and areas of fun play operation!<br /><br />The provider for myTHself is currently <a href="http://www.christopherworker.com">Christopher Worker</a>. He's a skilled and reliable house and office decorator - He can paint in the regular 'modernist' style and work with you on subtle colour selection. For the inspired client he's also happy to 'mural-ify'... believing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstract_expressionism" target="_blank">abstract expressionism</a> to be wasted in bank foyers and public galleries Christopher Worker enjoys exploring the decorative and complex effects of 'action painting' in homes. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornament_and_Crime" target="_blank">Ornament isn't a crime</a> says Christopher Worker, its a more interesting proposition than painting a wall white.<br /><br /><a title="london-no3 a hallway by myTHself, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/4705922134/"><img style="WIDTH: 190px; HEIGHT: 220px" alt="london-no3 a hallway" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4705922134_ba21d88830_z.jpg" width="640" height="601" /></a> <a title="For his Rock n Roll Room by myTHself, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/5203986323/"><img style="WIDTH: 190px; HEIGHT: 220px" alt="For his Rock n Roll Room" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5048/5203986323_6a300eb4f4_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" /></a><a title="london-no2 construction by myTHself, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythself/4705921554/"><img style="WIDTH: 190px; HEIGHT: 220px" alt="london-no2 construction" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4705921554_d1b5a6f2d6_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" /></a>Christopher Walkerloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189803259212809097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430281384869435383.post-20708261072073326082010-10-01T19:59:00.001+02:002010-10-01T19:59:52.778+02:00Artiste Ouvrier<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/atm_gallery/4273790725/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/4273790725_598e97de93.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/atm_gallery/4273790725/">Artiste Ouvrier</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/atm_gallery/">atm gallery</a>.</span></div><p>Artiste Ouvrier puts the battle of walkerloo on the street. and in a gallery. at the same time!</p>Christopher Walkerloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189803259212809097noreply@blogger.com0